Los Angeles Chargers vs Houston Texans Match Player Stats (Jan 11, 2025)

The Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 32 to 12 in the AFC Wild Card round on January 11, 2025 at NRG Stadium. Player statistics from the playoff matchup show Justin Herbert threw a career high four interceptions while Joe Mixon powered Houston with 106 rushing yards and a touchdown. Ladd McConkey caught nine passes for 197 yards in a losing effort, and Nico Collins set a franchise playoff record with 122 receiving yards before 71,408 fans.

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Complete Game Statistics

Possession time, third down efficiency, and field position all favored the Texans throughout this wild card matchup.

Houston ran 15 more offensive plays and controlled the ball for nearly nine additional minutes. The Texans converted third downs at a 35.7 percent rate while limiting Los Angeles to just 27.3 percent. Neither team lost a fumble, making Herbert’s four interceptions the decisive turnover margin.

Quarterback Breakdown: Herbert’s Four-Interception Collapse

Pressure differential between these two quarterbacks determined the outcome.

Herbert threw just three interceptions during the entire 2024 regular season. Against Houston’s defensive front, he faced pressure on 52.8 percent of his dropbacks according to Pro Football Reference. When pressured, Herbert completed only three of 15 passes for 103 yards, two interceptions, and four sacks. The Texans hit him nine times beyond those four sacks.

Stroud operated from significantly cleaner conditions. His offensive line provided time to find Collins downfield and convert critical third downs. Stroud’s 42 rushing yards came entirely from scrambles when defensive pressure forced him outside the pocket.

Herbert addressed his performance after the loss. “I let the team down,” Herbert said according to the Associated Press. “You can’t turn over the ball like that and expect to win. I put the team in a tough position there with four turnovers like that.”

Three Critical Plays That Decided the Outcome

Three specific moments shifted momentum and sent Houston to the divisional round.

The Lassiter Interception (Q2, 11:39)

Los Angeles led 6 to 0 and drove into Houston territory. Herbert attempted a deep crossbody throw to Quentin Johnston streaking down the left sideline. Rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter read the route, broke on the ball, and made a diving interception at the Houston 10 yard line.

Lassiter, giving up size to the bigger receiver, boxed out Johnston and secured the interception. Johnston’s failure to win a contested catch epitomized his afternoon struggles. The turnover erased Los Angeles’ chance to take a two score lead. Houston drove 99 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing possession.

The Stroud Scramble (Q2, 2:24)

Houston faced third and 16 from their own 17 yard line after an offensive penalty on the previous play. Stroud bobbled the snap. The ball rolled four yards behind the line of scrimmage as multiple Chargers defenders closed in. Stroud gathered it, escaped left, and fired a 34 yard strike to Xavier Hutchinson across the middle.

That conversion kept alive what became a 99 yard touchdown drive. Two plays later, Stroud hit Collins for 37 yards. He found Collins again on third and 11 from the Los Angeles 13 for the touchdown that gave Houston a 7 to 6 lead with 58 seconds remaining in the half. The Texans never trailed again.

The Murray Pick Six (Q3, 0:21)

With Houston leading 13 to 6 midway through the third quarter, Eric Murray jumped Herbert’s out route at the Los Angeles 38. The safety intercepted it cleanly and raced 38 yards untouched for the touchdown.

That score extended Houston’s lead to 20 to 6, breaking the game open. Los Angeles never seriously threatened after Murray’s defensive touchdown.

Ground Game: Houston’s 168-Yard Rushing Advantage

While Houston averaged 4.9 yards per carry, Los Angeles managed just 2.8, forcing the Chargers into predictable passing situations.

Dobbins and Edwards combined for 48 yards on 16 carries, averaging exactly three yards per rush. Houston’s defensive front stuffed the interior running lanes, forcing Los Angeles to abandon balance. The Chargers called just 18 rushing plays compared to 32 pass attempts.

Mixon’s physical running wore down Los Angeles throughout the game, particularly as the clock became a factor in the second half. His 17 yard touchdown run sealed Houston’s victory with 3:42 remaining.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans emphasized his defensive philosophy after the game. “Playoff football, first things first you have to stop the run,” Ryans stated. “That’s where our interior defensive lineman really played great today, is stopping the run. You stop the run, you force teams to have to throw the ball.”

The rushing yardage disparity created everything else. Houston controlled the clock for 34:25 while Los Angeles spent just 25:35 with the ball. Third down situations tilted in Houston’s direction because they stayed ahead of schedule on first and second down.

Receiving Leaders: McConkey’s 197 Yards Not Enough

McConkey accounted for 81.4 percent of Los Angeles’ passing production, exposing the Chargers’ lack of receiving depth.

Los Angeles Chargers Receiving Leaders

Zero catches on five targets for Johnston. The former first round pick couldn’t create separation against Houston’s secondary. His failure on the Lassiter interception epitomized why Los Angeles couldn’t trust him in critical moments. Johnston’s playoff disappearance raises serious questions about his NFL future.

McConkey’s 86 yard touchdown reception came with the game already decided at 23 to 6 in the fourth quarter. He gained 62 yards after the catch on that single play. Remove that one reception, and Los Angeles generated just 156 passing yards on 31 attempts. The rookie from Georgia proved he can perform under playoff pressure, but no receiver can carry an entire offense alone. Los Angeles must add proven weapons in the 2025 offseason or risk wasting Herbert’s prime years with inadequate supporting talent.

Houston Texans Receiving Leaders

Collins broke DeAndre Hopkins’ franchise playoff receiving record of 118 yards that stood since Houston’s 2019 divisional round loss to Kansas City. Stroud posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating when targeting Collins according to NFL Research. The chemistry between quarterback and receiver functioned at peak efficiency.

Houston’s balanced target distribution created problems Los Angeles couldn’t solve. Eight different Texans caught passes. Collins dominated as the primary option, but Hutchinson’s critical 34 yard catch on the broken snap play, Metchie’s four receptions on key third downs, and Stover’s reliable hands underneath kept drives alive.

Defensive Dominance: Stingley’s All-Pro Showcase

Derek Stingley Jr. earned a 94.9 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest mark of any defender in this wild card matchup.

Houston Texans Defense

Targeted 10 times. Just five completions allowed. Two interceptions. Five pass deflections. Herbert finished with a 0.0 passer rating when throwing at Stingley. The All-Pro cornerback controlled his side of the field completely.

Stingley discussed his unit’s approach after the victory. “We’re just going out there playing like we’ve got to get the ball to win,” Stingley explained. “There are still plays we’ve got to clean up, but we’re going to go out there next week and play the way we’ve got to play.”

Anderson and Edwards combined for three sacks, constantly collapsing the pocket. The Texans hit Herbert nine times beyond the four sacks, creating constant disruption that eliminated any rhythm Herbert tried to establish.

Los Angeles Chargers Defense

Despite forcing three turnovers and limiting Houston to manageable yardage totals, the Chargers defense couldn’t overcome offensive failures. Leonard intercepted Stroud early in the second quarter, but Herbert threw an interception on the very next play. Mack recorded two sacks. The unit limited the Texans to 4.9 yards per carry. That defensive performance deserved better offensive support.

Special Teams: Fairbairn’s Miss Keeps Houston Ahead

Special teams mistakes compounded Los Angeles’ offensive struggles while Houston executed flawlessly.

Fairbairn drilled all three field goal attempts from 30, 37, and 41 yards, providing steady scoring when Houston’s offensive drives stalled. Dicker missed the extra point after McConkey’s fourth quarter touchdown, which had made the score 12-23. That single point miss eliminated any chance of a two possession comeback.

D’Angelo Ross returned the blocked extra point for two points, extending Houston’s lead to 25-12.. The sequence began with Dicker’s failed kick and ended with Ross racing untouched to the opposite end zone for the defensive conversion.

How The Game Unfolded

First Half: Chargers Strike First

Los Angeles took advantage of early Houston mistakes. Derwin James recovered a John Metchie fumble on the Texans’ first offensive play at the Houston 33 yard line. The Chargers couldn’t reach the end zone, settling for Cameron Dicker’s 35 yard field goal at 9:37 of the first quarter.

Dicker added a 39 yard field goal at 6:35 after another Los Angeles drive stalled, giving the Chargers a 6 to 0 advantage. Houston struggled to generate offensive rhythm as Stroud faced pressure and the running game found no creases.

Second Quarter: Houston Seizes Control

The game’s momentum shifted on one play. Facing third and 16 from their own 17 after an offensive penalty, Stroud bobbled the snap. The ball rolled four yards behind the line. Stroud gathered it, escaped multiple defenders, and fired a 34 yard completion to Xavier Hutchinson.

Two plays later, Stroud hit Collins for 37 yards. He found Collins again on third and 11 from the Los Angeles 13 for a 13 yard touchdown with 58 seconds remaining in the half. Ka’imi Fairbairn’s extra point gave Houston a 7 to 6 lead.

The Texans got the ball back with 27 seconds left. Stroud’s 27 yard scramble set up Fairbairn’s 41 yard field goal as time expired, extending the lead to 10 to 6 at halftime.

Third Quarter: Murray’s Pick-Six Breaks It Open

Houston scored first after intermission on Fairbairn’s 37 yard field goal at 4:48, making it 13 to 6. The Texans controlled possession and field position throughout the third quarter.

With 21 seconds remaining in the quarter, Eric Murray jumped Herbert’s out route at the Los Angeles 38 and returned the interception 38 yards for a touchdown. Fairbairn’s extra point made it 20 to 6. That defensive score broke the game open and eliminated any realistic comeback hopes for the Chargers.

Fourth Quarter: Texans Pull Away

Fairbairn added a 30 yard field goal at 12:00, extending Houston’s lead to 23 to 6. Los Angeles responded immediately when Herbert found McConkey for an 86 yard touchdown at 10:38. Dicker’s extra point attempt was blocked and returned by D’Angelo Ross for two points, making it 25-12 Houston.

Joe Mixon sealed the victory with a 17-yard touchdown run at 3:42. Ka’imi Fairbairn’s extra point was good, bringing the score to its final margin of 32-12.

Scoring Summary

Houston controlled the scoreboard from late in the second quarter through the final whistle.

First Quarter

• 9:37 LAC: Cameron Dicker 35 yard field goal (LAC 3, HOU 0)
• 6:35 LAC: Cameron Dicker 39 yard field goal (LAC 6, HOU 0)

Second Quarter

• 0:58 HOU: Nico Collins 13 yard TD pass from C.J. Stroud (Ka’imi Fairbairn kick) (LAC 6, HOU 7)
• 0:03 HOU: Ka’imi Fairbairn 41 yard field goal (LAC 6, HOU 10)

Third Quarter

• 4:48 HOU: Ka’imi Fairbairn 37 yard field goal (LAC 6, HOU 13)
• 0:21 HOU: Eric Murray 38 yard interception return TD (Ka’imi Fairbairn kick) (LAC 6, HOU 20)

Fourth Quarter

• 12:00 HOU: Ka’imi Fairbairn 30 yard field goal (LAC 6, HOU 23)
• 10:38 LAC: Ladd McConkey 86 yard TD pass from Justin Herbert (Cameron Dicker kick failed) (LAC 12, HOU 23)
• 10:38 HOU: D’Angelo Ross defensive extra point return (LAC 12, HOU 25)
• 3:42 HOU: Joe Mixon 17 yard TD run (Ka’imi Fairbairn kick) (LAC 12, HOU 32)

Individual Standout Performances

Who dominated this wild card matchup? Derek Stingley Jr., whose two interceptions and five pass deflections shut down Herbert completely. The All-Pro cornerback allowed a 0.0 passer rating when targeted, the best possible defensive outcome. Stingley’s coverage eliminated Los Angeles’ deep passing game and forced Herbert into rushed decisions under pressure.

One hundred six yards on 25 carries. Joe Mixon’s physical running wore down Los Angeles when control of the clock mattered most. His 17 yard touchdown run sealed Houston’s victory with 3:42 remaining. Mixon’s performance gave the Texans the ground game dominance their defense needed to stay fresh.

Ladd McConkey’s nine catches for 197 yards proved his playoff capability. The rookie receiver from Georgia accounted for over 80 percent of Los Angeles’ passing yards, but no single player can overcome an offense lacking balance and protection.

The worst game of his five year NFL career. Justin Herbert completed just 14 of 32 passes with four interceptions after throwing only three during the entire 2024 regular season. Under pressure, Herbert connected on merely three of 15 attempts. The Texans hit him nine times beyond the four sacks, creating constant chaos that forced poor decisions. Herbert’s 40.9 passer rating captured a quarterback who never found rhythm against exotic pressure packages and disguised coverages.

One hundred twenty-two yards on seven receptions. Nico Collins broke DeAndre Hopkins’ franchise playoff receiving record of 118 yards that stood since 2019. Collins averaged 17.4 yards per catch, consistently beating single coverage on intermediate routes. His 13 yard touchdown reception came after breaking a tackle at the five yard line and dragging a defender into the end zone. Stroud targeted Collins with complete trust, posting a perfect 158.3 passer rating on throws to his primary weapon.

Resilience defined his afternoon. C.J. Stroud bounced back from a difficult start that included a fumble and an interception on Houston’s first four possessions. His 34 yard completion to Hutchinson on the broken snap play changed the game’s trajectory completely. Stroud rushed for 42 yards on six scrambles, all coming from defensive pressure. His 27 yard scramble late in the second quarter set up the halftime field goal that gave Houston a four point cushion they never surrendered.

Post-Game: Harbaugh Takes Responsibility

Jim Harbaugh deflected blame from his quarterback in the postgame press conference. “They were the better team today,” Harbaugh said per the Chargers official site. “All respect to them. Not being the better team today, I’m accountable for that. That’s on me.”

Harbaugh took over a Chargers team that finished 5 and 12 in 2023 and led them to an 11 and 6 record in his first season. The playoff loss stings, but the foundation exists for future success if Los Angeles addresses its offensive line deficiencies and adds receiving weapons.

Houston Advances, Los Angeles Goes Home

Houston advances to the divisional round for the second straight season, earning a matchup against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Texans defense proved it can dominate elite quarterbacks in playoff conditions, holding Los Angeles to 50 rushing yards and forcing four turnovers. Joe Mixon’s performance gave the offense the physical dimension needed to control games when defense creates opportunities.

This wild card victory set up a road trip to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs one week later. Houston would outgain Kansas City by over 100 yards in that divisional round matchup but fell short 23 to 14 when eight sacks on C.J. Stroud proved decisive. Complete statistics and analysis from that playoff battle appear in the Houston Texans vs Kansas City Chiefs match player stats breakdown.

Los Angeles ends another season with disappointing playoff results. Despite an 11 and 6 regular season record under first year coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers fell in the wild card round for the second straight year. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2018, extending one of the NFL’s longest active postseason victory droughts.

Herbert’s collapse, the nonexistent running game, and Quentin Johnston’s zero catch performance on five targets exposed vulnerabilities Houston exploited. The Chargers averaged 23.6 points per game during the regular season but managed just 12 in this playoff contest. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman called only 18 rushing plays compared to 32 pass attempts, abandoning balance early and placing the entire burden on a quarterback facing constant pressure.

The Los Angeles defense held Houston to reasonable totals and forced three turnovers. Khalil Mack recorded two sacks. The unit limited the Texans to 4.9 yards per carry. That defensive performance deserved better offensive support. Championship teams require both sides functioning at high levels under playoff pressure.

This January 11 wild card playoff matchup between the Chargers and Texans ended with player stats confirming that Houston controlled the trenches, created turnovers at critical moments, and executed when points were available. Los Angeles showed flashes of potential but couldn’t overcome offensive line failures and receiving depth issues when facing a complete defensive scheme designed to neutralize Herbert’s strengths.