Houston Texans stomp all over the Los Angeles Chargers in NFL Wild Card Playoffs

The Houston Texans’ defense tormented Justin Herbert toward four sacks and four interceptions.

That powered the home team Texans into overwhelming the Los Angeles Chargers, 32-12, to kick off the NFL Wild Card Playoffs at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday.

The Texans took a 10-6 lead into halftime on the strength of a C.J. Stroud 13-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins during the second quarter, but it’s what their defense did during the second half, especially, which made the difference and put the game away.

Late during the third quarter, Texans’ safety Eric Murray perfectly read Herbert’s eyes and produced a 38-yard interception return for the touchdown to give the Texans a 20-6 edge.

Even when Herbert found Ladd McConkey for an 86-yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter, the Chargers’ extra point attempt was blocked and returned by the Texans who tacked on a couple of more points.

Joe Mixon would add a 17-yard touchdown rush with 3:42 left but the game had been well out of reach by then. Stroud finished with 282 yards passing and a touchdown, while Collins had seven receptions for 122 yards and a TD for the Texans. Mixon produced 106 yards rushing for a touchdown on 25 carries.

McConkey had nine catches for a massive 197 receiving yards and a TD in the Chargers' loss. Three of Herbert's four interceptions came in the second half.