Texans knock off Chargers to punch ticket to playoffs, end L.A.'s bid for AFC West crown

Houston is headed to the playoffs and still has an outside shot at winning the AFC South crown

Welcome to the playoffs, Houston Texans, and beware, any team that may have the misfortune of facing this defense. The Texans (11-5) are postseason-bound after a 20-16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers (11-5).

Houston, which has won eight straight games, terrorized Justin Herbert and an overmatched Chargers offensive line all game. Herbert took five sacks and plenty more hits, and the Texans' offense did just enough after a fast start. Chargers Pro Bowl kicker Cameron Dicker missed an extra point and a short field goal, both of which loomed large.

The Texans' win also eliminated the Indianapolis Colts from postseason contention and secured the AFC West for the Denver Broncos.

On the Texans' third play, C.J. Stroud lofted a perfect deep ball to rookie Jayden Higgins, who ran past a completely busted Chargers coverage for a 75-yard touchdown reception, the longest by a rookie in franchise history.

After a quick Los Angeles three and out, the Texans got the ball back and needed just four plays to score again, this time a 43-yarder from Stroud to his other rookie wide receiver out of Iowa State, Jaylin Noel.

The Chargers defense started to make amends in the second quarter. Derwin James picked off Stroud and the offense was able to turn that into a field goal.

The Chargers got another terrific chance ahead of halftime when Herbert launched a majestic 60-yard completion to Quentin Johnston. But on the very next play, Herbert's pass to Oronde Gadsden II bounced off the tight end's hands, and Azeez Al-Shaair caught the redirect.

Another Stroud interception set up Los Angeles for more points just before the half, but Dicker missed a 32-yarder. He had never missed inside 40 yards in his NFL career prior to that.

The Texans' offense continued its slog in the second half, but by the time the Chargers got rolling -- and Herbert tried desperately to play hero -- it proved too little, too late. After a Ka'imi Fairbairn field goal, Herbert found Gadsden for a touchdown to make it 17-10. After another Fairborn field goal, Herbert led a second touchdown drive, this one concluding in a short Omarion Hampton run with under four minutes left.

It wasn't enough. The Texans converted three first downs -- one on a throw to Nico Collins, one on a controversial call and one on a Woody Marks run -- to clinch it.

Wild turnaround in AFC

Here's just a few implications from this game:

• The Texans were 0-3. They made the playoffs. They can win the AFC South with a win in Week 18 AND a Jacksonville Jaguars loss in Week 17 or Week 18.
• The Colts were 8-2. They missed the playoffs. It's their fifth straight postseason-less season.
• The Broncos are AFC West champions for the first time since 2015. Denver could clinch the AFC's No. 1 seed Sunday if the New England Patriots lose AND the Buffalo Bills lose AND the Jacksonville Jaguars lose.
• Also quietly celebrating? The New York Jets. With the Colts eliminated from playoff contention, the first-round pick they owe to the Jets from the Sauce Gardner trade just got a lot better.

C.J. Stroud shows high highs, low lows

Stroud's first two drives: 4-for-4, 142 yards, two touchdowns

Stroud's last 11 drives: 12-for-24, 102 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions

Lucky for him and Houston, the defense is tremendous. Stroud can be extremely accurate when he's given time, especially downfield. But when things get muddy, or when he has to get to second or third reads downfield, it can be ugly. This interception to Molden is … not good -- a mistake that can't and really shouldn't be made.

It was encouraging to see Stroud rip an in-breaking route to Collins late, and the Texans' ability to run the ball with some consistency (31 carries for 120 yards, not including three kneeldowns) was a major differentiator.

Texans defense is a force

If Myles Garrett didn't exist, Will Anderson Jr. could be a worthy Defensive Player of the Year winner. He had a half-sack, but his impact was much larger than that; he was credited for five pressures. Danielle Hunter had a sack and six pressures. Derek Barnett had two sacks. The pass rush is relentless, and against a Chargers offensive line maligned by injuries, it dominated.

But don't forget to credit everyone else. Azeez Al-Shaair made a huge pick in the red zone. Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen both managed just one catch, which shows just how good Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamar Lassiter are. Linebacker Henry To'o To'o and several interior defensive linemen helped limit Chargers running backs to 15 carries for just 30 yards. This was a masterful performance.

In a game featuring a Herbert-led offense and a terrific Los Angeles defense, the Houston defense was far and away the best unit on the field.

Chargers crumble around Herbert

The Chargers failed to take advantage of several opportunities.

• They managed just three points off two Texans turnovers. Gadsden's drop near the end zone was brutal, and he had another drop on what would have been a first down.
• The offensive line was overwhelmed.
• Dicker's two misses were a complete anomaly.

Herbert's heroics can carry a team, but they can only carry a team so far, especially against this level of competition. The Chargers nearly pulled off what would have been a miracle comeback completely on Herbert's shoulders. In order for them to actually win these games, though, they need others to step up on offense.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 7:39 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Houston gets three first downs to clinch a win and, in turn, a playoff berth.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 7:31 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Rough, rough break for Los Angeles. That's a tough call.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 7:28 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

It's been a quiet night for Collins, but he comes up big there: On second-and-long, the Chargers expected pass, but Stroud sold the run and found Collins on an in-breaking route for a first down.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 7:25 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Chargers have life. A pair of defensive penalties and big Ladd McConkey and Oronde Gadsden II catches set up Hampton's 5-yard plunge.

Cameron Dicker MISSED the extra point, though, so it's 20-16.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 7:18 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

McConkey didn't have a single catch (or target!) for the first 53 minutes of this game, but Herbert just found him for 31 yards.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 7:16 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Texans have only scored six points on their last 10 drives after 14 points on their first two drives, but 20-10 with 6:29 left is a significant edge given how good this defense is.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 6:47 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

With Sheldon Rankins hanging on him, Herbert fired an 8-yard completion to Quentin Johnston on third-and-6. Then two plays later, he finds Oronde Gadsden II for a touchdown.

When we talk about quarterbacks who can be heroes, this is what we talk about. Just an incredible effort.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 6:44 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

A 28-yard scramble on third-and-14. What an effort. Derek Stingley Jr. left injured trying to make a hit.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 6:29 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Chargers' defense has a bead on Stroud, who is 1 for his last 5.

The Texans' defense has completely taken over this game though. Derek Barnett sacked Herbert on first down and second down. The Chargers' tackles are having a brutal performance against a Houston pass rush that causes nightmares for everyone, especially for the backups Los Angeles has been forced to play.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 6:05 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

How stunning is that? Dicker had never missed a kick inside 40 yards; he was 68 for 68 in his career.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 5:55 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Back and forth we go.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 5:53 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Texans are already down two tackles, and now a starting guard has gone down awkwardly.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 5:51 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Oh man, that is a BRUTAL turn of events. Justin Herbert launched a 60-yard completion to Quentin Johnston on third-and-13, only for Oronde Gadsden II to drop a high pass over the middle and Azeez Al-Shaair to pick it off.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 5:33 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Lassiter is the second Texans player to walk off with trainers; the first, Azeez Al-Shaair, has already returned.

UPDATE: Lassiter (knee) went back to the locker room and is questionable to return.

UPDATE 2: Lassiter has returned.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 5:30 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Could this be the spark the Chargers desperately need? Da'Shawn Hand tipped C.J. Stroud's pass, and Derwin James was right there.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 5:25 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

There was some friendly fire between Al-Shaair and E.J. Speed, though Al-Shaair was able to walk off under his own power.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 5:22 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Teair Tart hit Dalton Schultz in the head as Schultz tossed the ball to a referee, and Schultz got up and shoved Tart. The referee only flagged Schultz -- a classic example of the retaliator getting penalized -- and the Texans had to punt.

Still, this has been one-way traffic. Houston has 214 yards. Los Angeles has 15. The Chargers have to be more aggressive on early downs, even if it exposes Herbert to some hits. The running game just isn't working. Really, nothing is working.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 4:59 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

That's one for Danielle Hunter and one for Will Anderson Jr., Houston's superstar defensive duo. The Chargers' offensive line is, predictably, overwhelmed, and without a consistent run game, Justin Herbert and co. are in a tough spot.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 4:51 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

C.J. Stroud is the first player to throw a touchdown pass of 40+ yards on each of his team's first two possessions of a game since Drew Brees in 2010.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 4:48 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

This time it's the other rookie out of Iowa State -- Jaylin Noel -- with a long touchdown.

What a start for Stroud and Houston.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 4:46 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Pretty much a worst-case scenario here early for Los Angeles: A big touchdown allowed on the Texans' third play, and then Herbert takes a huge hit from Danielle Hunter on a sack. Herbert was favoring his left hand, which he recently broke and had surgery on.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 4:37 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

When he has time, Stroud throws as pretty a deep ball as you'll find, and this was no exception:

A complete bust on the back end from Los Angeles, which gave up some big plays last week against the Cowboys, too.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 4:33 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Texans start with the ball.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 3:44 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

This game likely hinges on the playmaking of Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud. The Chargers have been without Rashawn Slater all season and without Joe Alt for most of it. The Texans are down Aireontae Ersery and Trent Brown. That means zero of the four expected starting tackles are playing.

The Texans are second in the NFL in pressure rate this season. The Chargers are only 16th, but they're 11th since Week 12.

Herbert and Stroud have actually been pretty similar when pressured this season, a big area of improvement for Stroud.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 3:16 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

The Texans will be without Trent Brown, who had already been ruled out with neck and ankle injuries, and Aireontae Ersery (thumb - questionable). That means a lot of shuffling ahead of a matchup with a Chargers pass rush that has come on strong recently.

[Dec 27, 2025 at 3:12 pm ET · Zachary Pereles]

Vidal (neck) was questionable, but with him out, rookie Omarion Hampton will get a big role in a big spot. He has shown flashes of explosiveness that are exciting, but his consistency, especially in pass protection, will be important.