Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats - Herbert's 4 INTs vs Stroud's Playoff Mastery (32-12)

The Chargers vs Texans match player stats told a clear story in their January 11, 2025, playoff showdown. Houston outclassed Los Angeles 32-12 in a game where individual performances made all the difference.

Game Overview: By The Numbers

The statistics paint a picture of total Texans dominance:

Category	Texans	Chargers
Total Yards	429	261
Time of Possession	34:25	25:35
Third Down Conversions	5/14 (35.7%)	3/11 (27.3%)
Fourth Down Conversions	2/2 (100%)	0/1 (0%)
Turnovers	3	4
Yards Per Play	6.1	4.8

These numbers from CBS Sports show why Houston controlled this game from the second quarter onward.

Regular Season vs Playoff Performance

The contrast between regular season and playoff stats was striking:

Justin Herbert

Regular Season: 29 TDs, only 3 INTs in 17 games, 101.2 passer rating
Wild Card Game: 1 TD, 4 INTs in one game, 40.9 passer rating

C.J. Stroud

Regular Season: 4,108 yards, 23 TDs, 7 INTs, 64.2% completion rate
Wild Card Game: 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 66.7% completion rate

Team Rushing

Chargers Regular Season: 121.6 yards per game
Chargers Playoff: 50 yards total
Texans Regular Season: 112.4 yards per game
Texans Playoff: 168 yards total

The Texans elevated their performance when it mattered most, while the Chargers faltered dramatically according to FOX Sports.

Quarterback Performance: Rookie vs Veteran

The quarterback battle wasn’t close:

C.J. Stroud (Texans)

22/33 completions (66.7%)
282 passing yards
1 touchdown, 1 interception
98.4 passer rating
42 rushing yards on 6 attempts
Showed remarkable poise under pressure

Justin Herbert (Chargers)

14/32 completions (43.8%)
242 passing yards
1 touchdown, 4 interceptions
40.9 passer rating
Pressured on 19 of 36 dropbacks (52.8%)
Completed only 3 of 15 passes under pressure

Herbert’s playoff struggles were unexpected given his regular season performance, where he threw just three interceptions total.

Game-Changing Offensive Performances

Joe Mixon became Houston’s workhorse:

106 yards on 25 carries (4.2 avg)
Touchdown run on 4th-and-1 late in the game
Got stronger as the game progressed
Controlled the clock when it mattered most

Nico Collins dominated the passing game for Houston:

7 catches on 8 targets for 122 yards
13-yard touchdown capped a critical 99-yard drive
37-yard reception on the same drive
Consistent separation against Chargers defenders

For Los Angeles, Ladd McConkey was the lone star:

9 receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown
86-yard score in the fourth quarter
Targeted 14 times (44% of Herbert’s attempts)
The rest of the team: 5 catches for 45 yards combined

Defensive Stars Who Changed The Game

The Texans defense turned the game with opportunistic plays:

Derek Stingley Jr. showcased his All-Pro talent:

2 interceptions with 70 return yards
1 forced fumble
Sealed the game with a late fourth quarter pick

Eric Murray created a massive momentum shift:

38-yard interception return touchdown
Extended lead to 20-6 in third quarter
4 total tackles (3 solo)

Will Anderson Jr. and Mario Edwards Jr. pressured Herbert constantly:

Combined for 3 sacks
Created consistent pressure that led to poor throws

For the Chargers, Khalil Mack (2 sacks) and Alohi Gilman (6 solo tackles, forced fumble) played well in defeat.

Four Critical Moments That Decided The Outcome

1. The 99-Yard Drive

Down 6-0 in the second quarter, the Texans faced 3rd-and-16 from their own 1-yard line. Stroud fumbled the snap, recovered, and hit Xavier Hutchinson for 34 yards. This unlikely conversion sparked a touchdown drive that changed the entire game.

The Reddit game thread exploded when this happened, with fans calling it the turning point.

2. Murray’s Pick-Six

With Houston leading 13-6 late in the third quarter, Eric Murray intercepted Herbert and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. This defensive score extended the lead to 20-6 and crushed the Chargers’ spirit.

3. The Extra Point Block and Return

After McConkey’s 86-yard touchdown gave Los Angeles life, D’Angelo Ross returned a blocked extra point for 2 Texans points. This rare play immediately killed any momentum shift.

4. Mixon’s Fourth Down Touchdown

On 4th-and-1 with under four minutes remaining, Mixon broke through for a 17-yard score that put the game away at 32-12. This play symbolized Houston’s dominance in the trenches when it mattered most.

Running Game Comparison

The ground game stats reveal a key difference:

Houston Texans

168 total rushing yards
4.9 yards per carry average
Controlled time of possession
Got stronger as the game progressed

Los Angeles Chargers

Just 50 rushing yards total
2.8 yards per carry average
Abandoned the run when trailing
No ground support for Herbert

Special Teams Impact

Special teams plays often go unnoticed but made a huge difference:

Ka’imi Fairbairn (Texans): Perfect 3/3 on field goals, 3/3 on extra points

Cameron Dicker (Chargers): Made both field goals but had a crucial extra point blocked

D’Angelo Ross (Texans): The blocked PAT return for 2 points was one of the game’s biggest momentum plays

Historical Playoff Context

This game stands out in NFL playoff history for several reasons:

Rookie QB Excellence Stroud’s performance ranks among the best rookie playoff debuts in NFL history. His 98.4 passer rating exceeded several notable rookie playoff performances, including Ben Roethlisberger (2004) and Joe Flacco (2008).

Chargers Playoff Struggles This game continued a troubling trend for the Chargers franchise, which has struggled in the postseason despite talented rosters. The Chargers’ offense has now scored 20 or fewer points in six of their last seven playoff games.

Turnover Impact The four interceptions thrown by Herbert tied for the most in a playoff game since 2018, when Josh Allen threw four against Houston (coincidentally) in his playoff debut, according to the Chargers official site.

Defensive Scoring The 8 points scored directly by Houston’s defense (pick-six plus PAT return) represented 25% of their total scoring, an unusually high percentage for a playoff victory.

For NFL fans interested in playoff statistical trends, our analysis of the Ravens vs Chiefs match player stats provides another fascinating look at how individual performances shape postseason outcomes.

What This Game Revealed About Both Teams

For Houston, this performance confirmed they’re legitimate AFC contenders with:

A poised rookie quarterback
Strong running game
Opportunistic defense
Disciplined special teams

For Los Angeles, serious questions emerged about:

Herbert’s big-game consistency
Offensive line protection
Defensive depth
Overall playoff readiness

FAQ’S About Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats

Why did Justin Herbert throw so many interceptions?

Herbert faced pressure on over half his dropbacks (52.8%) and completed just 3 of 15 passes under pressure. The Texans defense disguised coverages effectively and capitalized on hurried throws.

Which Texans defender had the biggest impact?

While Derek Stingley Jr. had two interceptions, Eric Murray’s pick-six completely changed the game’s momentum and effectively put it out of reach for the Chargers.

How did C.J. Stroud handle playoff pressure?

Stroud showed remarkable poise for a rookie, especially on the 99-yard drive where he recovered his own fumble on 3rd down and converted a 34-yard pass. His 98.4 passer rating and 66.7% completion rate reflect his calm under pressure.

What happened on the blocked extra point play?

After McConkey’s 86-yard touchdown, Cameron Dicker’s extra point attempt was blocked, and D’Angelo Ross returned it for a rare defensive 2-point conversion. This immediately negated any momentum swing from the touchdown.

Who led the game in receiving yards?

Ladd McConkey led all receivers with 197 yards on 9 catches, though much came when the game was already decided. Nico Collins led the Texans with 122 yards on 7 catches, with most coming in crucial moments.

The chargers vs texans match player stats reveal how individual performances collectively determined this playoff outcome, with Houston’s balanced attack ultimately overwhelming Los Angeles in every phase of the game.