Chargers 12 vs 32 Texans, Stroud leads Texans to playoff victory, summary: score, stats, highlights | NFL Wild Card
Texans upset Chargers in Wild Card victory
Texans upset Chargers in WILD playoff win
The Houston Texans were massively underestimated coming into the Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, with the majority of bettors taking the Chargers to win by a long shot.
Though the Texans got off to a sluggish start with the score sitting at 6-0 with the Chargers ahead for most of the first half, they ended up making an epic comeback to destroy the Chargers 32-12, starting in the final minutes of the first half.
*game highlights below this post
The moment the Texans came back with a vengeance
Down 6-0 late in the second quarter, the Texans were all the way back at their own 1-yard line, and quarterback C.J. Stroud fumbled a snap, but recovered it and made a 34-yard bullet pass to wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson that was the start of the Texans' comeback. He later sent a 37-yard pass to WR Nico Collins and capped off the 99-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Collins.
The Texans went on to score 23 unanswered points before Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert managed to throw an 86-yard touchdown pass to WR Ladd McConkey just after getting sacked twice in a row. Unfortunately, that glory didn't last long. Kicker Cameron Dicker's extra point attempt was blocked and returned by D'Angelo Ross for two points.
During all this, the Texans also forced Herbert, who only threw three interceptions all season, to throw FOUR interceptions throughout the game. Safety Eric Murray ran his back 38 yards for a pick-six, which L.A. never recovered from. Running back Joe Mixon's 17-yard touchdown run made it impossible for the Chargers to come back, and the game ended with a fourth pick from Herbert, which was deflected off his receiver, to really seal the deal.
What's next?
The Chargers were hoping for Herbert's first playoff win and their first since 2018, but new coach Jim Harbaugh will have to try again in his second year.
The Texans will move on to the Divisional Round. They await the result of tonight's games to see who their opponent will be.
STATS
Chargers
Chargers QB Justin Herbert completed 14 of 32 passes for 242 yards and one touchdown. He threw four interceptions, one of which was returned for a TD and was sacked 4 times for a loss of 31 yards. WR Ladd McConkey had nine receptions on 14 targets for 197 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Cameron Dicker made both his field goal attempts.
Khalil Mack contributed two sacks and Joey Bosa had one. Daiyan Henley and Alohi Gilman accounted for 10 tackles each. Deane Leonard made one interception.
Texans
Texans QB C.J. Stroud finished with 22 of 33 completions for 282 yards and one touchdown and threw one interception and was sacked three times for a loss of 21 yards. He added six carries for 42 yards. Running back Joe Mixon had 25 carries 106 rushing yards and one touchdown. WR Nico Collins had seven receptions on nine targets for 122 yards. Ka'imi Fairbairn made all three of his field goal attempts.
Eric Murray recorded seven total tackles and the two-point defensive touchdown. Will Anderson Jr. and Mario Edwards Jr. both contributed 1.5 sacks each and Denico Autry accounted for one. Derek Stingley Jr. made two interceptions and Eric Murray and Kamari Lassiter each made one.
Herbert's 4th INT
Herbert went all season with just THREE interceptions, only to throw four in this postseason game, the most of any QB in a playoff game since 1995. Ouch.
It basically sealed the deal in the Chargers' upset by the Texans.
Where things got REALLY wild
1. Herbert was sacked twice in a row.
2. Herbert threw a pass to McConkey, who ran the ball 86 yards to the end zone for a touchdown.
3. Dicker's PAT was blocked.
4. Dicker bats the ball down before the line of scrimmage, leaving the ball alive and permitting anyone to take off with it.
5. Ross returns the ball in the end zone for a defensive two-point conversion.
Stroud interception to James Jr.
Stroud threw an interception to Derwin James Jr. but it was reversed
The WILD highlights of this Wild Card game
Second-half highlights coming up.
TEXANS WIN!
Stroud takes a knee and that's game. The Texans will move on to the Divisional Round!
Pierce picks up 13 yards and the 1st down
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
That takes us to the 2-minute warning, but this game's as good as over.
Pierce takes it up 2 yards - 2nd and 8
Herbert pass INTERCEPTED by Stingley and returned 13 yards to the Texans 33
Herbert pass incomplete - 2nd and 10
Haskins pushes up for 5 yards and the 1st down
Herbert pass to Johnston bopped in the air - incomplete, 3rd and 1
Herbert pass to McConkey for 9 yards - 2nd and 1
Fairbairn kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Chargers 30
Mixon burst through on 4th and 1 and picked up 17 yards for the touchdown. Fairbairn's PAT was good and the Texans make it impossible for the Chargers with a 20-point lead with just 3:42 left in the game.
TEXANS TOUCHDOWN!
Chargers take third and final timeout
Mixon bursts through, but he's ruled just short of the 1st at 4th and 1
Chargers take second timeout
Mixon gains a yard, stopped by Gilman and Henley - 3rd and 8
Chargers take first official timeout
Mixon taken down by Colson for a yard - 2nd and 9
Officials say Mixon went out of bounds after 10 yards - Texans still get 1st down, but the Chargers get their timeout back since the clock stopped when Mixon went out of bounds
Chargers take first timeout
Mixon stays in bound to pick up 12 yards - 1st down
Texans go for it on 4th and 1 and it's Stroud who pushes through for the 1st down
After review, the ruling on the field stands - 4th and 1
The Texans lose a timeout
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans challenges the call that Stroud is short of the 1st down - it's now under review
Stroud scrambles up 9 yards just short of the 1st down - 4th and 1
Mixon pushed back by Fox and James for a loss of 2 yards - 3rd and 10
Mixon stopped after 2 - 2nd and 8
It's Mixon again, he bursts through for a gain of 6 and the 1st down
Mixon runs it up 2 yards - 3rd and 1
Mixon picks up another 6 yards - 2nd and 4
Mixon takes it up 7 yards - 1st down
Stroud pass to Stover complete for 5 yards - 2nd and 5
Dicker kicks to the -1 and Hutchinson returns it 27 yards to the Texans 26
Herbert, after making two interceptions and then getting sacked twice in a row, made a deep pass to McConkey, who ran it 86 yards for a touchdown. Dicker's extra point was blocked by Barnett and Ross recovered the blocked kick to run it back into the end zone for a defensive two-point attempt.
In the NFL rules, a conversion attempt in which the defense gets the ball can be returned to the opposing end zone for two points.
YES, you read that correctly....allow me to explain what just happened...
TEXANS TWO-POINT ATTEMPT!
CHARGERS TOUCHDOWN!
Herbert SACKED AGAIN, this time by Edwards for a loss of 9 yards - 3rd and 26
Herbert SACKED by Anderson for a loss of 7 yards - 2nd and 17
Fairbairn kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Chargers 30
Yet another Herbert interception sets up a Texans score. Stingley made the interception off a deflected pass and ran it 55 yards to the Chargers 12. The Texans weren't able to get into the end zone, but Fairbairn made the 30-yard field goal easy. The Texans extend the lead further with 12 minutes remaining in the game.
TEXANS FIELD GOAL!
Stroud pass incomplete to Mixon - 4th and 9
Stroud SACKED by Mack for a loss of 8 - 3rd and 9
Officials are resetting the clock
Mixon powers through for 9 yards - 2nd and 1 at the 4
Herbert's pass to Dissly was DEFLECTED and then INTERCEPTED by Stingley, and he ran it back 55yards to the Chargers 12 to set up the Texans for ANOTHER score to come....
Herbert makes the deep pass to McConkey for 19 yards - 1st down at the Texans 39
Herbert pass to McConkey for 10 yards - 1st down
END THIRD QUARTER
That brings us to the end of the third quarter after the Texans just made a pick-six to extend their lead to 20-6. The Chargers have the ball at 2nd and 8 at their own 32-yard line.
Edwards picks up 2 yards - 2nd and 8
Fairbairn kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Chargers 30
Herbert threw a pass intended for Ladd McConkey and it was too high. Instead, Texans defender Eric Murray made the pick-six to run it 38 yards into the end zone. Fairbairn's PAT was good and the Texans extend the lead with 13 seconds remaining in the 3rd quarter.
TEXANS PICK-SIX!
Herbert's pass INTERCEPTED by Murray and he runs it 38YARDS into the end zone - TOUCHDOWN TEXANS!
Townsend punts out of bounds at the Chargers 24
Stroud pass to Collins is caught but Henley takes him down right away - 4th and 3
Stroud hands it off to Mixon and he's swallowed up right away by Jefferson for a loss of 4 yards - 3rd and 9
Mixon pushes through for 5 yards, taken down by Henley - 2nd and 5
Scott punts to the Texans 37 and Woods makes the fair catch
Herbert SACKED by Autrey for a loss of 6 yards - 4th and 12
Herbert pass to Davis for 4 yards - 3rd and 6
Dobbins gets nowhere, swallowed up by Al-Shaair and Murray - 2nd and 10
Fairbairn kicks to the Chargers 2 and Davis returns it 27 yards to the 29
Fairbairn makes the 37-yard field goal and the Texans extend the lead with 4:48 to go in the 3rd quarter.
TEXANS FIELD GOAL!
Stroud pass complete to Johnson for 12 yards - 4th and 10
Stroud makes the pass to Mixon and he's taken down after 13 yards at the 31 - 3rd and 22
Stroud's pass was incomplete to Collins, but Chargers' Bosa is called for Offsides to give Texans 5 yards - 2nd and 35
Holding call on Texans' Fisher - 10 yards, 2nd and 40
Stroud scrambles for 6 yards
The interception call was REVERSED - officials say James Jr. did not have complete possession as he hit the ground
The ruling was an incomplete pass, but the 15-yard penalty still stands - 2nd and 30 Texans at the 39-yard line
Chargers will take over - officials to rule exactly where
Unnecessary Roughness on Texans' Mixon, 15 yards
Stroud's pass INTERCEPTED by James Jr. and he takes it back 59YARDS to the Texans 46
Holding call on Texans' Howard pushes them back 10 yards instead
Mixon does it again, pushing through for 13 yards
Mixon finds the hole and bursts through for 15yards - 1st down
Chargers' Hart was injured on the play
Stroud pass to Stover caught for 7 yards, 2nd and 3
Stroud pass to Stover caught for 11yards and the 1st down
Stroud passes to Collins and he gains 7 for the 1st down
Stroud scrambles up for 6 yards - 2nd and 4
The official ruled the earlier pass from Herbert to Johnston incomplete - Texans take over at the 41
Herbert's pass is CAUGHT by Johnston but Stingley brings him down SHORT of the 1st down - Texans will take over at their own 33
Edwards is stopped by Al-Shaair - 4th and 2
Chargers are going for it
Edwards pushes through for another 4 yards, stopped by Anderson - 3rd and 2
Edwards picks up 4 yards - 2nd and 6
FaceMask on Texans' Stingley - 15 yards, 1st and 10 at the Texans 42
Herbert pass complete to McConkey for 17 yards
Chargers take over at their own 24
Holding on Texans' Fisher, declined
Mixon FUMBLES, forced out by Jefferson and it's RECOVERED by Chargers' Jefferson
Stroud under pressure, but he gets it away to Collins and he takes off for a HUGE gain of 41 yards!
Mixon gets nowhere, stopped by Ford - 3rd and 5
Mixon gains 5 - 2nd and 5
And we're back!
Dicker kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Texans 30
Fairbairn's FG
Fairbairn made the 41-yarder.
Texans extend the lead to 10-6 at halftime.
Stroud's biggest career scramble
Stroud scrambled for 27 yards, the longest of his career, to put the Texans within field goal range with just seconds to go before halftime.
Texans TD
It was Collins again who Stroud connected with for 13 yards in the end zone and Fairbairn's PAT that put them ahead
Stroud-Collins
Stroud made another huge pass to Nico Collins for 37 yards to put the Texans into Chargers territory before the half
The start of the Texans' turnaround
Stroud fumbled the ball on this play, recovered it, and then made a huge pass to Hutchinson for 34 yards to keep the Texans in the game.
Herbert's interception
The Texans responded with an interception of their own, Herbert's pass being caught by Lassiter
Some first half highlights
comin' up...
HALFTIME
The Texans made a huge comeback in the final few minutes of the first half. The Chargers couldn't get much going on offense either, scoring just two field goals. Once Houston got going, they were able to score a touchdown and field goal in the last two minutes to take the lead before halftime.
Chargers' Davis was injured on the punt retrurn
END 2ND QUARTER
Fairbairn kicks to the Chargers -6 and Davis returns it 21 yards to the 15 but that'll take us to the end of the half.
Stroud got the Texans within field goal range on a 27-yard scramble and Fairbairn made the 41-yard field goal to extend the Houston lead with 3 seconds left in the second quarter.
TEXANS FIELD GOAL!
Texans take final timeout
Stroud pass complete to Woods for 9 yards - 1st down at the 23
Texans take second timeout
Ogunbowale picks up 5 yards - 2nd and 5 at the 32
Texans take first timeout
Stroud scrambles up for a huge gain of 27 yards to the Chargers 37 - 1st down
Stroud pass to Metchie complete for 4 yards and he gets out of bounds to stop the clock - 2nd and 6
Scott punts it to the Texans 22 and Woods returns it 10 yards to the 32
Herbert under pressure, makes the deep shot to Johnston but it is incomplete - 4th down at the 30
Chargers take second timeout
Herbert makes the deep pass but it's too deep for McConkey to get to it - incomplete, 3rd and 10
Herbert pass incomplete to Chark
Fairbairn kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Chargers 30
The Texans started the drive all the way back on their own 1-yard line and a Stroud 34-yard pass to Hutchinson started off a drive that ended with a 37-yard pass to Collins and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Collins. Fairbairn's PAT was good and the Texans take the lead with just 58 seconds left in the first half.
TEXANS TOUCHDOWN!
Stroud pass incomplete to Woods - 3rd and 11
Chargers take first timeout
Mixon tackled by Ford for a loss of 1 - 2nd and 11 at the 13
Stroud's pass deep to Collins is CAUGHT for 37 yards to the Chargers 12 - 1st down
Stroud pass incomplete to Schultz, knocked loose by Dye
Henley picked it up and ran with it like it was a fumble, but the officials called it dead
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
That takes us to the 2-minute warning. The Texans just recovered from a few massive mistakes to get into Chargers' territory at the 49 on 1st down.
Stroud is under pressure and he FUMBLES the ball, but recovers it again at the 5-yard line and makes a deep pass to Hutchinson for 34 yards and it is CAUGHT! 1st down at the Chargers 49!
Stroud pass to Stover is caught but he's taken down by James after 5 yards - 3rd and 16
Stroud pass complete to Hutchinson for 7 yards, but a Personal Foul (Tripping) call on Texans' Howard - 11 yards - 2nd and 21
Stroud gets the ball away just before he's taken down by Ford, who was one of four defenders on him, and it's incomplete - 2nd and 10
Stroud pass to Metchie is caught for 7 yards - 1st down
Mixon takes it up 3 yards, tackled by Mack - 2nd and 7
Stroud pass to Collins is caught for 6 yards - 1st and 10
Stroud under pressure, scrambles backwards into the end zone and he throws it away - 3rd and 4
At the 1, Mixon takes it up 6 yards to the 7 - 2nd and 4
Scott punts to the 1 and it's downed by Leonard
Herbert gets the ball away before the sack but it's incomplete to Dobbins - 4th and 8 at their own 44
Herbert's pass knocked down by Stingley Jr. - incomplete, 3rd and 8
Dobbins gains 2, taken down by Barnett - 2nd and 8
Herbert pass to McConkey and he twirls around to make a gain of 19yards and the 1st down
Herbert's pass to Davis is caught but Lassiter makes the tackle for a loss of 3 yards - 3rd and 12
Dobbins gets a yard, taken down by Hunter - 2nd and 9
Townsend punts to the 25 and Davis calls for the fair catch
Stroud pass complete to Metchie, but he's taken down by James after 10 yards - 4th and 8
Stroud SACKED by Mack for a loss of 8 yards - 3rd and 18
Stroud pass incomplete to Metchie - 2nd and 10
Stroud's pass to Collins is caught and he pushes up for a gain of 13 - 1st down
Texans take over again at their own 10
Texans/Chargers trade interceptions
Herbert pass INTERCEPTED by Lassiter
Chargers take over at the Texans 40
Stroud pass is INTERCEPTED by Leonard in bounds
Stroud makes a deep pass to Collins, but he's got Fulton on him and can't make the catch - 3rd and 8
Mixon runs 2 yards - 2nd and 8
Scott punts to the 12 and Woods makes the fair catch
Herbert's pass to Johnson is incomplete as he can't bring it in with Lassiter applying the pressure - 4th down and the Chargers will punt it back
Herbert pass to McConkey broken up by Anderson - incomplete, 3rd and 4
Dobbins gains 6 yards on a run - 2nd and 4
Herbert connects with McConkey again for another big pickup of 15yards and another 1st down
Herbert pass complete to McConkey for 12 yards - 1st down
Townsend punts to the 8 and Davis calls for the fair catch
Delay of Game on Texans - 5 yards, 4th and 11
END FIRST QUARTER
That takes us to the end of the 1st quarter. The Chargers lead the Texans 6-0. Texans have the ball on 4th and 6 at the Chargers 41.
Stroud's pass to Schultz is complete but he's taken down after 9 yards - 4th and 6
Stroud SACKED by Bosa for a loss of 5 yards - 3rd and 15
Chargers' Denzel Perryman is questionable to return
Stroud pass incomplete to Metchie - 2nd down
Stroud makes another long pass to Woods for 13 yards and another 1st down
Stroud's pass to Schultz is caught and he runs it for 14 yards - 1st down
Scott makes the punt and it's DEFLECTED by Ross (35-yard punt) and it rolls to the Texans' 28
Herbert hit by Anderson as he's making the pass - incomplete - 4th down
Herbert pass incomplete to Haskins - 3rd and 9
Edwards stopped after a yard by Hunter - 2nd and 9
Herbert was hit as he was making the pass to Johnston - incomplete
Holding call on Texans' Hunter gives Chargers the automatic 1st down
Dobbins gains just 1 yard, stopped by Fatukasi - 2nd and 14
Herbert makes the pass to Davis for 3 yards, but Chargers' Salyer is called for Ineligible Downfield Pass - 5 yards, 1st and 15
Townsend punts it to the 12 but Texans' Boyd makes contact with Chargers' Davis on the fair catch
Fair Catch Interference on Texans - 15-yard penalty
Stroud escapes pressure, makes the pass and it was nearly intercepted - 4th and 7
Mixon taken down by Perryman and Bosa for no gain - 3rd and 7
RB Joe Mixon pushes through for 3 yards - 2nd a nd 7
Dicker kicks to the end zone - touchback to Chargers 30
After the Texans' turned the ball over on a fumble, the Chargers still couldn't get into the end zone after a sack on Herbert lost them 9 yards. Dicker came back in and made the 39-yard field goal to put the Chargers up by 6 with 6:35 to go in the first quarter.
CHARGERS FIELD GOAL!
Herbert makes the pass to Chark for 10 yards - 4th and 9
Herbert under pressure, makes the pass to Dissly, but he can't bring it in - 3rd and 19
Herbert SACKED by Edwards and AndersonJr. for a loss of 9 yards - 2nd and 19
Edwards takes it again 2 yards, picks up the 1st down at the Texans 22
Gus Edwards takes it up 8 yards - 2nd and 2
Chargers take over at the Texans 33
Stroud's pass to Metchie is FUMBLED, forced out by Gilman and recovered by CHARGERS' James Jr.
Dicker kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Chargers 30
The Chargers got down the field fast, but the Texans held them to 4th down just 14 yards from the end zone. Kicker Cameron Dicker made the 35-yard field goal to put L.A. in the lead with 9:37 still to play after the Chargers' opening drive.
CHARGERS FIELD GOAL!
Chargers will go for the field goal instead...
Dobbins is stopped by Fatukasi for a loss of 2 yards - 4th and 3
Herbert's pass to Dissly is complete and he runs it up for 9 yards - 3rd and 1
Herbert's pass is too high, incomplete to McConkey - 2nd annd 10
Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair was injured on the play
Herbert fakes the handoff, makes the pass to TE Tucker Fisk for 15 yards to the Texans 23 - 1st down
Dobbins takes it up again, gains 8 yards for another 1st down to the Texans 38
Herbert makes the pass to TE Will Dissly for 7 yards - 2nd and 3
Herbert passes 10yards to WR Ladd McConkey for another 1st down
Dobbins pushes through 8 yards to get the 1st down
RB J.K. Dobbins takes it up 2 yards - 2nd and 8
Fairbairn kicks it to the -1 and Davis returns it up to the 27
GAME TIME!
Texans won the toss and elected to defer. The Chargers will start us off on offense. Here we go!
Nancy Curtis sings national anthem
Opera singer Nancy Curtis sang a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner ahead of the game.
Texans and Chargers honor victims of Los Angeles wildfires with moment of silence.
Herbert vs Stroud
Here's how the two teams' quarterbacks' stats compare this season.
Thanks to our friends at Sofascore for the stats!
Herbert looking for first playoff victory
Chargers QB Justin Herbert is looking for his first playoff victory today. Since joining the Chargers in 2020, Herbert has played in just one playoff game, which ended in a blown 27-point lead. After last year's disastrous season, Herbert is out to prove he can take L.A. on a deep postseason run.
Texans vs Chargers Injury Report
Texans Injury Report
WRs Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell remain on IR, but otherwise Houston has a pretty healthy team headed into today's game. They are playing without starting guard Shaq Mason, but have gotten back defenders Will Anderson Jr., Christian Harris, Foley Fatukasi, and Denico Autry.
Texans Inactives
OG Nick Broeker
DT Kurt Hinish
DE Jerry Hughes
OG Shaq Mason
LB Devin White
Chargers Injury Report
Two starters are out for the Chargers today - WR Joshua Palmer and OT Trey Pipkins. Palmer missed the last regular season game with a foot injury and Pipkins is out with an oblique injury suffered last week.
WR Quentin Johnson, RB J.K. Dobbins, and LB Denzel Perryman were all listed as questionable on the final injury report, but are all active and will play in today's Wild Card game.
Chargers Inactives
QB Easton Stick (emergency 3rd QB)
WR Joshua Palmer
RB Kimani Vidal
RB Jaret Patterson
T Trey Pipkins III
TE Hayden Hurst
DL Justin Eboigbe
Chargers representing the LAFD
The Chargers will be wearing these Los Angeles Fire Department shirts during today's game in support of those who have helped with the wildfires throughout the L.A.
J.K. Dobbins injury update
Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins was hoping to avoid the injury bug when he joined LA this season after three injury-riddled seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Although he did have a breakout season, finishing with 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, he unfortunately wasn't able to avoid the injury bug completely.
Ahead of the Wild Card game against the Texans today, Dobbins was listed as questionable as he is dealing with an ankle injury. However, he is expected to play today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, which is great news for the Chargers' offense.
Chargers heavily favored to beat Texans
BetMGM odds:
Spread: Chargers (-2.5)
Moneyline: Chargers (-155); Texans (+130)
Over/under: 41.5
A first time for everything
The Chargers and Texans will be facing each other in the playoffs for the first time ever today.
The Texans are in the postseason for the second straight year, after losing in the Divisional Round to the Baltimore Ravens last season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud led them to the playoffs in both seasons, finishing this one with 336 of 532 completions for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
As I mentioned, the Chargers were out of the postseason last year, so they're back in it for the first time since 2022, when they lost in the Wild Card Round to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Quarterback Justin Herbert helped them get back into the playoffs this year, finishing the regular season with 332 of 504 completions for 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
How they got here
The Texans
The Houston Texans, in their second full season under head coach DeMeco Ryans, started the regular season strong, getting off to a 5-1 start with C.J. Stroud under center, also in his second season. Unfortunately, they lost six of their next ten games to end the season with the same record they had last year, 10-7. They were able to keep the lead in the AFC South to ensure they got the home-field advantage in the Wild Card Round.
The Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers played their first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Horitz. With Justin Herbert leading the offense, they finished the season at 11-6, improving on their 5-12 record from last season and making it back into the playoffs on a Wild Card after missing out last year.
Good afternoon and welcome to the NFL Wild Card Weekend! Its Jen here, bringing you all the live updates, scores, commentary, and highlights from the Houston Texans vs Los Angeles Chargers game.
The first game of the weekend kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium. I'll be here bringing you the live coverage starting from an hour before this AFC matchup, that will determine which team moves on to the Divisional Round.