THE Houston Texans have the gift of making history in the first rounds of the playoffs.
Saturday at NRG Stadium was no different against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers.
In a 32-12 win over the Bolts’ breakout team, the Texans became the fifth team to record four interceptions, an interception return for a touchdown and four sacks in a playoff victory, according to ESPN Research.
The last three teams to accomplish this feat in the playoffs were the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, the Baltimore Ravens in 2000 and the San Francisco 49ers in 1989.
What do all these teams have in common? The trio won a Lombardi Trophy after appearing in the Super Bowl.
“Our defense dominated today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “That’s what we want to be. They played our style of football. They stopped the run first. That’s what I’m most proud of is how we stop the run. And when we stop the run running, you’re a one-dimensional team and that’s when our defensive line takes its toll.”
Houston started the turnover-filled day with a Kamari Lassiter interception during the second quarter. With 21 seconds left in the third quarter, Herbert passed rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, leading to a 36-yard return for a touchdown by Eric Murray.
During the fourth quarter, Herbert was intercepted on consecutive drives by Derek Stingley Jr., including the nail in the coffin on Los Angeles’ final drive.
The defense allowed a field goal on the Chargers’ first two drives, then stiffened to buy the Texans offensive time as it struggled for the first five possessions. After that, Houston scored on four straight drives to build a two-touchdown lead entering the final seven minutes.
“When we stop the run, you create a one-dimensional team, and that’s when our defensive line wreaks havoc,” Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson said.
Herbert became the first full-time starter in NFL history to throw more interceptions in a playoff game than in the regular season. The Texans pressured the Pro Bowl passer on 39 percent of his dropbacks as he went 1 of 10 for 17 yards with an interception under duress.
“It’s the complementary football that we were looking for and needed as a team,” Ryans said. “Simply exceptional performance across all three phases. Really proud of all our guys.”
Houston will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to face the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN and ABC.
This article was originally published on Texans Wire: Texans defense makes history in win over Chargers
