HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans led 6-0 and faced third-and-16 from their own 17 late in the first half…
HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans were down 6-0 and facing third-and-16 from 17 late in the first half of their wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers when quarterback CJ Stroud missed the snap.
The room seemed headed for disaster. But instead, Stroud grabbed the ball and avoided the Xavier Hutchinson rush for a 34-yard gain.
The Texans then scored a touchdown on that drive, the first of 23 straight points as they rallied to a 32-12 victory.
They advanced to the divisional round for a second straight season where they will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
Coach DeMeco Ryans called Stroud a catcher who made the play of the game and praised his second-year quarterback.
“This is what it looks like when your best players step up and make plays,” Ryans said. “That’s what playoff football is all about.” That’s what it means to be an important player in the league.
Even after making the play, Stroud was unhappy because he missed the snap. But he felt much better when he looked toward his sideline after the throw.
“And everyone came together, and it made me angry, because I was always a little angry with myself,” he said. “Those are the kind of plays that change momentum, and a team can rally around plays like that.”
Stroud threw for 282 yards with a touchdown pass to Nico Collins and an interception. He joined Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, Baltimore’s Joe Flacco, the New York Jets’ Mark Sanchez, Seattle’s Russell Wilson and San Francisco’s Brock Purdy as quarterbacks to win playoff starts in each of their first two seasons.
Stroud also ran for 42 yards, highlighted by a career-long 27-yard run to help set up a field goal that put the Texans up 10-6 at halftime.
Stroud, who is not known for his scrambling ability, joked about his “slow speed.”
He said the long haul gave him energy.
“I felt my joy come back after I got up, and it’s one of the best feelings in the world,” he said. “After you play a game, you arrive and your teammates arrive with you. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. I think it gave our team some juice. I think using my legs is definitely going to help in the playoffs.
Ryans was excited to see Stroud do whatever he needed to do to lead his team to victory.
“That’s what you call (putting) the team on your back,” he said.
What works
The Texans intercepted Justin Herbert a career-high four times after throwing just three interceptions all season. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley had two picks and Eric Murray returned one 38 yards for a touchdown. Rookie Kamari Lassiter had the other interception to join JJ Watt as the only rookies in franchise history to have an interception in a playoff game.
Houston’s four interceptions are a franchise record for a playoff game and Murray’s interception return for a score was the fourth postseason in team history.
What needs help
For the Texans to have a chance against the Chiefs, they will need to take better care of the ball after committing three turnovers on Saturday.
John Metchie fumbled after a catch on Houston’s first offensive play. Stroud threw an interception in the second quarter and Joe Mixon lost a fumble early in the third quarter.
Store
CB D’Angelo Ross was a star on special teams Saturday. He blocked a punt in the first quarter before make an extra point blocked for two points in the fourth.
The blocked punt was the first in a playoff game since the 2021 season and the PAT return was the first in NFL playoff history.
Stock falling
LG Tytus Howard gave up a sack and had two penalties Saturday.
Injuries
The Texans did not suffer any injuries during Saturday’s game.
Key number
168 — Houston’s 168 rushing yards on Saturday were the second-most in a playoff game in franchise history behind the team’s 188 in its first-ever playoff game in 2012. Mixon led the way with 106 yards for his eighth 100-yard game this season. .
To be continued
The Texans are playing in the divisional round for the sixth time in franchise history, where a victory will earn them their first trip to the AFC Championship Game.
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