The Chargers at Texans kicks off at 1:30 today on CBS.
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The Bolts’ last playoff win was in January of 2019, on the road, in Baltimore, 23-17.
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This will be Justin Herbert’s second playoff game. His first was the 31-30 playoff loss to the Jaguars in 2022. The Chargers led 27-0 before being outscored 31-3 by Jacksonville.
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Wide Receiver Joshua Palmer has been ruled out with an injured heel. Second-year WR Quentin Johnson is listed as questionable with a thigh injury.
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The good news for the Chargers is that Rashawn Slater will be back at left tackle. Rookie Joe Alt will move back to right tackle. And they’ll need them to stop the Texans’ pass rush.
Pro Football Focus grades the Houston pass rush as the 11th best in the league. Interestingly, PFF grades the Bolts’ pass blocking as 7th best in the NFL.
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The Texans are rated 12th in rushing, and the Chargers are graded 6th at stopping the run.
Joe Mixon has rushed for 1,000 yards for the fifth time in eight seasons. However, he’s only cleared a hundred yards rushing twice in his last eight games.
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In the past this is a game the Chargers would lose. On the road, a crucial turnover, an early score by the opposition and they were done. But under Jim Harbaugh the Chargers are a different animal. He’ll work to win and make the team willing to win. Even an early deficit won’t derail them. Harbaugh and the Chargers find a way.
Chargers 27 Texans 20.
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I was surprised by the inability to stop Texans momentum and Herbert’s poor performance. The plays before half ( just like high school playoffs) were a riptide Chargers couldn’t escape. Also problematic was Chargers inability to advantage of early turnover and offensive success, and only get 6-0 lead.
Nice step forward this year ; likely need dynamic offensive player(s) to accomplish more next year.
Hard to believe how bad LAC played. Easy win for the Texans.
Chargers may not be a different animal after all.