Texans’ four interceptions help eliminate the | College News

HOUSTON —  Texans security Eric Murray had a wide-open operating lane to the finish zone. Justin Herbert may do nothing however flip away solemnly. Somehow the Chargers’ quarterback getting a move intercepted and returned for a landing for the first time in his profession wasn’t the low level of a season-ending loss Saturday.

Herbert had his worst sport of the season at the worst time. His career-high four interceptions doomed the Chargers to a 32-12 AFC wild-card loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday at NRG Stadium. A season that was imagined to mark a new period for the maligned franchise as an alternative ended with acquainted disappointment.

The offense that was showing to hit its stride at the proper time as an alternative confirmed the 108 factors scored in the final three weeks had been merely a mirage in opposition to struggling groups. A Houston protection that Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh known as “scary good” left the Chargers shell-shocked.

Herbert had simply three passes intercepted all season. He matched that quantity in a little more than three quarters in opposition to the Texans. After setting a franchise document for fewest interceptions thrown in a season, Herbert had a number of passes intercepted in a sport for the first time since Oct. 22, 2023 in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs.

With a likelihood for his or her first playoff victory since 2018 slipping away, Herbert — who completed with 242 yards passing and one landing — continued to battle. He shook off an interception that went off of tight finish Will Dissly’s arms and into Derek Stingley Jr.’s arms adopted by back-to-back sacks on the ensuing drive to search out Ladd McConkey for an 86-yard landing move on third-and-26. The Houston crowd fell silent as the Chargers cut the deficit to 11 with 10:38 remaining.

Still, the Chargers couldn’t escape their status of “Chargering.”

Kicker Cameron Dicker’s further level was blocked and as an alternative of leaping on the free ball to finish the play, Dicker batted it to the ground with two arms. Cornerback D’Angelo Ross grabbed the soccer and returned it for 2 factors.

A near-disaster sparked the Texans in the first half as C.J. Stroud turned a fumbled snap into a 34-yard dart to Xavier Hutchinson. Before Stroud scooped the free ball up and fired the strike throughout his physique, the Texans’ offense had produced simply 86 web yards.

They completed the first half with 214 yards and a 10-6 lead. The damaged play highlighted a 13-play, 99-yard drive that Nico Collins completed with a 13-yard landing catch. Stroud doubled down with a 24-second, 45-yard discipline purpose drive that left the Chargers in shock heading into the locker room. Stroud ripped a 27-yard scramble up the center with 13 seconds left in the half to spark the drive.

As the home crowd roared, the second-year quarterback pounded his chest twice with each fists.

One yr after changing into the youngest NFL quarterback to guide his staff to a playoff win, Stroud completed with 282 yards passing, one landing and one move intercepted on 22-of-33 passing.

Running back Joe Mixon rushed for 106 yards and one landing. It was the first time the Chargers allowed a 100-yard rusher since Week 15 in opposition to Tampa Bay.