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

Justin Herbert threw four interceptions in one playoff game after throwing just three all season. The Texans demolished the Chargers 32-12 at NRG Stadium on January 11, 2025, and those four picks were the biggest reason why. Herbert entered the playoffs with the NFL’s best interception rate at 0.6%. He left Houston with four picks and a plane ticket home.

Herbert’s Career-Worst Playoff Performance

The Chargers came in as favorites despite playing on the road. By halftime, 71,408 Houston fans were celebrating a 10-6 lead that would only grow larger. Herbert completed just 14 of 32 passes for 242 yards, one touchdown, four interceptions, and a 40.9 passer rating.

Head-to-Head QB Performance

C.J. Stroud, playing his first playoff game, outperformed the veteran Herbert in every category. The key? Houston’s pass rush hit Herbert on 52.8% of his dropbacks, the highest pressure rate any quarterback faced in the 2024 playoffs.

How Six Minutes Changed Everything

Los Angeles couldn’t have asked for a better beginning. John Metchie III fumbled Houston’s first offensive play after Alohi Gilman jarred the ball loose. Derwin James recovered at Houston’s 27-yard line. Cameron Dicker converted field goals of 35 and 39 yards for a 6-0 lead.

But they started those drives at Houston’s 27 and 33 and settled for field goals both times. Los Angeles went 0 for 1 in red zone attempts all night while Houston went 2 for 4. Those four points left on the field mattered.

The 99-Yard Drive That Broke the Chargers

With 2:47 left in the second quarter, J.K. Scott bombed a 65-yard punt that pinned Houston at their 1-yard line. On 3rd-and-16 from their 17, Stroud fumbled the snap, recovered, spun away from pressure, and found Xavier Hutchinson for 34 yards. Hutchinson caught just that one pass all game, but it saved Houston’s season.

Stroud immediately hit Nico Collins for 37 yards, then found Collins again for a 13-yard touchdown with 1:02 remaining. After a Chargers three-and-out, Stroud scrambled for 27 yards to set up Fairbairn’s 41-yard field goal at halftime. In two minutes, a 6-0 Chargers lead became a 10-6 Houston advantage. The 99-yard scoring drive was the longest touchdown drive of the 2024 playoffs, and the momentum never shifted back.

Four Interceptions in Four Quarters

First Quarter: After Deane Leonard’s interception gave the Chargers the ball at Houston’s 40 with a 6-0 lead, Herbert forced a throw across his body to double-covered Quentin Johnston. Kamari Lassiter picked it off. Left guard Zion Johnson (49.6 PFF grade) had allowed instant pressure, forcing Herbert off-balance.

Third Quarter: Trailing 13-6, Herbert’s high pass for Ladd McConkey deflected directly to Eric Murray, who raced 38 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six made it 20-6 Houston. Right guard Jamaree Salyer (30.0 PFF grade) had been beaten badly.

Fourth Quarter (First): Four plays after Murray’s touchdown, Herbert’s pass hit Will Dissly in the hands. Dissly dropped it, Derek Stingley Jr. caught the deflection. Two tipped picks in two minutes.

Fourth Quarter (Second): Down 26-6, Herbert launched a prayer downfield. Stingley grabbed his second interception. Game over.

Defensive Dominance Decided the Game

The Texans defense limited Los Angeles to 261 total yards. Houston’s pass rush hit Herbert on 52.8% of his dropbacks, the highest pressure rate any quarterback faced in the 2024 playoffs.

Key Defensive Performers

The Chargers defense played well enough to win, forcing three fumbles and holding Houston to 5 of 14 on third downs. But four offensive turnovers made their efforts meaningless. Derek Stingley Jr. earned PFF’s Defensive Player of the Week with his two interceptions and forced fumble.

McConkey’s Historic Night Wasted

Ladd McConkey broke the NFL rookie playoff receiving record with 197 yards, passing Puka Nacua. His 86-yard touchdown on 3rd-and-26 was incredible: 62 yards after the catch, 61 after contact. The rookie caught 9 of 14 targets while his teammates disappeared.

Every Reception and Target

Quentin Johnston: zero catches on five targets. DJ Chark: one catch on four targets. McConkey accounted for 81.4% of the Chargers’ receiving yards because nobody else could get open or make contested catches.

Houston spread the ball around effectively:

Nine different Texans caught passes. Balance beats dependence in playoff football.

The Rushing Disparity

Houston ran the ball 34 times for 168 yards (4.9 average). Los Angeles managed 18 carries for 50 yards (2.8 average).

Ground Game Breakdown

Joe Mixon’s 25 carries kept Houston’s offense on schedule. His 17-yard touchdown run on 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter ended any hope of a miracle comeback. The Chargers abandoned their run game after falling behind, exactly what Houston’s defense wanted.

Time of possession: Houston 34:25, Los Angeles 25:35. Control the clock, control the game.

Special Teams and Field Position

Fairbairn’s perfect night (12 points) versus Dicker’s missed extra point captured each team’s execution. Scott’s 65-yard punt should have been a game-changer but instead became the starting point for Houston’s 99-yard touchdown drive.

Critical Team Statistics

The Turnover Battle

Both teams committed three turnovers through three quarters, but timing and impact decided everything. Houston’s fumbles (John Metchie III, Joe Mixon) and Stroud’s interception led to just six Chargers points. Herbert’s four interceptions resulted in 10 Houston points, including Murray’s backbreaking pick-six. When turnovers lead directly to touchdowns, games get out of hand quickly.

Why Houston Won

Houston’s defensive line dominated from start to finish. Four sacks, nine quarterback hits, and constant pressure forced Herbert into his worst performance when it mattered most. Will Anderson Jr. and Mario Edwards Jr. each recorded 1.5 sacks, Denico Autry added another while earning a 90.1 PFF grade.

The Chargers’ offensive line couldn’t protect. Zion Johnson allowed two sacks (49.6 PFF grade), Jamaree Salyer surrendered another (30.0 grade). When your guards can’t block, your quarterback can’t function.

DeMeco Ryans called the perfect defensive game. Rush four, drop seven, force Herbert to hold the ball and beat tight windows. He couldn’t. Meanwhile, Joe Mixon’s 25 carries for 106 yards controlled the clock and kept the Chargers’ pass rush honest. Houston converted both fourth-down attempts while Los Angeles failed their only try.

Playoff Implications

Houston earned a Divisional Round matchup with the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs the following week. The Texans had proven they belonged in the playoffs with this dominant Wild Card performance. The Ravens had shown similar defensive success against the Chargers during the regular season, but Houston executed the blueprint perfectly when it counted.

For the Chargers, questions about offensive line and receiver depth would dominate the offseason. Herbert threw more interceptions in one playoff game than his entire 2024 regular season. McConkey broke records in a losing effort. The defense forced three turnovers but couldn’t overcome four offensive giveaways. This Wild Card loss exposed every weakness in their roster construction. Herbert entered with the NFL’s lowest interception rate and left with a career-worst playoff performance that will define their offseason.