Tag: LA Chargers

Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh gives massive praise to Texans defensive line

Jim Harbaugh came away impressed with the Houston Texans’ defensive line and pressure rate following Saturday’s loss.

Many Houston Texans fans were stunned when Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. weren’t sure-fire Pro Bowlers after setting records during the 2024 season.

Apparently, so was Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh following Houston’s 32-12 win in Saturday’s wild-card round.

Anderson, Hunter and a quartet of defensive linemen made life hell for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert at NRG Stadium. Whenever he ran right, there was Hunter.

Whenever he went to the left, there was Anderson.

Even up the middle Foley Fatukasi and Mario Edwards Jr. forced stops and ill-advised throws to coverage. Herbert finished the after with four interceptions, including one returned for a 38-yard touchdown by Eric Murray.

“[Herbert’s] gotta be able to finish his throwing motion,” Harbaugh told reporters. “We didn’t put him in the position to do that enough. The edge pressure was the best we’ve seen. Pressure on the edge—the pass rush—was outstanding.”

The Texans recorded four sacks and seven tackles for loss. According to Pro Football Focus, Hebert was pressured 11 times through three quarters, five of which were unblocked, resulting in half of the turnovers.

“They did a good job,” Herbert said. “That is on us to be able to execute and handle that. I think we did a poor job of handling the pressure and I have to find the quick outs, throw the ball away and do a better job at protecting the ball.”

Hunter (12.0) and Anderson (11.5) finished top 10 in sacks and tackles for loss. The duo also headlined a defense that recorded a franchise record 49 sacks during the regular season.

Houston hits the road to take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud leads all passers in wild-card round performance

C.J. Stroud is leading the pack of remaining QBs in passing yards following his epic day against the Chargers.

For as bad of a season that C.J. Stroud had in the public eye during his sophomore campaign, he seems to be hot in the playoffs. At least that’s what the numbers say after the wild-card round.

The Houston Texans second-year passer led all quarterbacks with 282 passing yards in a 32-12 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday to advance to the divisional round.

Buffalo Bills gunslinger Josh Allen, who guided the AFC East champions to a victory over the Denver Broncos, finished second with 10 fewer yards.

Stroud, who also threw a touchdown pass and an interception, really found his mojo after a 34-yard fumble recovery-turned-completion to Xavier Hutchinson. That was the start of a 99-yard drive capped off with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins, thus giving Houston a 7-6 lead.

The Texans (11-7) never trailed the rest of the afternoon in what could be the final home game at NRG Stadium. They scored 23 unanswered points before Los Angeles ever found its way back.

Stroud also finished with a 66.7% completion rating and a 90.7 passer rating.

“People always see our mountaintops, but one thing that people don’t understand there are valleys, too, times just going through it. In my life, I’m very grateful for both,” Stroud said postgame. “I haven’t always been that way, but my character is being built as I continue to play this great game. I’m really blessed to have the teammates I have.”

The Texans travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Nico Collins makes Texans’ history in wild-card round win over Chargers

Nico Collins is into the end zone and into the Houston Texans’ history books.

DeAndre Hopkins once surpassed Houston Texans Hall of Fame receiver Andre Johnson en route to making playoff history.

It was only a matter of time before Nico Collins took up the mantle as the new face of Houston’s postseason.

That moment arrived on Saturday afternoon midway through the fourth quarter.

Collins totaled 122 yards on seven catches, including a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter, as the Texans secured a 32-12 wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

The yardage total surpassed  Hopkins’ 118 in 2019’s divisional-round collapse against the Kansas City Chiefs. Coincidentally, that happened to be Hopkins’ last game in a Texans uniform before he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason.

That won’t be something Houston fans will endure this offseason as Collins and the Texans prepare for their rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round next weekend.

“It’s a blessing,” Collins said of the play. “D-Hop, that boy is special man. Him and (Johnson). So, it’s great to be past that. Them two dudes I still watch ’til this day.”

After a quiet first quarter, Collins exploded to give Houston momentum in the second quarter. After C.J. Stroud found Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard pickup, Collins won his one-on-one battle against Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton in man coverage and propelled his way into Los Angeles’ red zone for a 37-yard gain.

Two plays later, the slant route got the best of Fulton for the touchdown and eventual 7-6 lead.

“That dude right there, he’s really elevated himself as an NFL number one receiver,” Stroud said. “He shows that week in and week out. I’m just so happy for that guy. I think this is just the start for him as well.”

Collins, who inked a three-year, $72.5 million extension before OTAs, was on pace to lead the league in receiving yards after the first five games, but a hamstring injury sidelined him for over a month.

When he returned, the fourth-year pro only totaled one 100-yard outing to close out the regular season. While he managed to surpass 1,000 yards on the campaign, the outcome was different from what fans envisioned after his breakout start.

But Stroud said Collins was “born out the womb great.” Whenever he needed a big-time play, there was the 6-foot-4 star to come up clutch.

“I’m just so happy for that guy and I think this is just the start for him as well,” Stroud said. “He had another 1,000-yard season and he’s still hungry for more. He’s still in here every day working on his body. He’s hungrier than ever.”

Like Stroud, who became the fifth quarterback to win multiple playoff games in their first two seasons, Collins made history.
He wants to make more in the coming weeks with a shot at the Super Bowl in the works.

“I got to continue to go, continue to keep making plays for this team and keep being myself at the end of the day,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s the most important part.”

Ladd McConkey sets NFL playoff record in postseason debut

Former Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey has record-setting postseason debut

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey set an NFL rookie record for receiving yardage in a playoff game. Los Angeles Chargers receiver McConkey hauled in 197 receiving yards on nine receptions and scored one touchdown.

McConkey is the Los Angeles Chargers’ all-time leading rookie receiver in receptions and receiving yards. He wrapped up an incredible rookie season with an impressive playoff performance. McConkey’s play has helped the Chargers’ passing game immensely, but the Chargers lost 32-12 in to the Houston Texans to end Los Angeles’ season.

McConkey scored an 86-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to make things interesting, but the Texans iced the game with a lengthy drive following McConkey’s touchdown.

McConkey finished the regular season with a team-high 82 receptions for 1,149 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. McConkey had the 10th-most receiving yards and 19th-most receptions of any player in the NFL as a rookie.

Here’s a look at McConkey’s impressive touchdown. Quite a throw on the play from Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEtJ45nS8JV/?img_index=2

Former Georgia star pass catchers McConkey and Brock Bowers both had amazing, record-setting rookie seasons and are bright spots for their respective teams.

Texans getting healthy at right time before showdown with Chargers

For the first time in the 2024 NFL season, the Houston Texans should have both starting linebackers.

Barring a last-second switch, the Houston Texans should be as healthy as possible for Saturday’s showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.

No, Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Tank Dell, and two-time All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs aren’t walking into the building, but the defense should have Christian Harris and Dencio Autry back.

It will have back linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who was suspended for three games after an illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

And Will Anderson Jr. is nearing 100% for the first time since Week 9 after resting in Week 18’s regular-season finale. The same goes for defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi, who’s suffered a roller coaster of injuries this season, costing him time.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions 

Houston’s injury woes won’t decide the outcome of Saturday’s game, but they could factor into the scoring. The Texans have been limited on the defensive end for weeks, especially at linebacker, with Harris and Al-Shaair out for multiple weeks.

For this first time this season, the projected starting duo will be on the field for the first time. When Harris initially returned in Week 15, Al-Shaair was still suspended.

When Al-Shaair returned for a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, Harris was out because of an ankle injury.

Offensively, right guard Shaq Mason will miss his third consecutive game. He’s been out since suffering a knee injury in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and has not participated or been out at drills.

Wide receiver John Metchie III is listed as questionable for Saturday’s showdown with a shoulder injury suffered last week against Tennessee. The No. 3 target did not practice Tuesday but returned in a limited capacity on Wednesday.

He was a full participant on Thursday, which means he’ll likely go even in a limited capacity opposite Nico Collins and Diontae Johnson.

Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. The game will be nationally televised on CBS and Paramount+.

Announcers set for Chargers vs. Texans wild-card weekend showdown

Here’s who’s on the call for the Texans and Chargers entering the wild-card round weekend.

The Houston Texans return to NRG Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a winner-take-all showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CT on CBS and Parmount+. Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Charles Davis (analyst) will serve as the crew in the booth. On the field,  Evan Washburn (field reporter) will conduct interviews and provide injury updates from the sidelines.

The Texans aim to keep their wild-card round winning streak alive against a surging Bolts roster on the riser. All-time, Houston is 5-2 in the first round of the playoffs. The Texans also are riding a three-game winning streak, including last year’s 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

With a win, the Texans would likely own the last seed in the postseason if all goes according to plan. The Baltimore Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday evening while the Buffalo Bills kickoff Sunday’s three-game set at home against the Denver Broncos.

If both teams win, Houston would hit the road to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. But sights are on securing a win this weekend despite being a 5.5-point home favorite.

“We’re here now, let’s go play,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “For me, nothing else matters. It’s how you’re playing right now. Are you playing your best ball going into the playoffs? That’s what matters most. And are you able to consistently keep up with that when you are in the playoffs? Can you continue to play good ball?”

Houston last faced off against Los Angeles in a home back during the 2022 season.

Cowboys All-Pro believes Texans are ‘doomed’ vs. Chargers in wild-card round

Micah Parsons is one of the countless voices who is not buying into the Texans’ chances of winning on Saturday against Los Angeles.

The Houston Texans have plenty of doubters entering their Saturday showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons is one of the vocal oppressors.

While Parsons might have a close-knit relationship with second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud, he also is a competitor. From a competitive standpoint, the fourth-year do-it-all defender is quite confident that the AFC South champions are down and out before kickoff.

“I’m going with the Chargers,” Parsons said during the latest episode of his podcast ‘The Edge With Micah Parsons.’ “I think the Chargers have the most momentum going into this game. Their defense [has] been playing lights out. You know, you look at it, Justin Herbert’s been playing great.”

Parsons gave credit to Houston (10-7) for winning the AFC South, but also pointed out that the team initially built to hang with the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens has changed since Week 1.

“Texans [are] another team who’s battled injuries, but I think the Chargers are gonna win this game. I’m going take the Chargers.”

Parsons might be a rival toward the opposing Lone Star State roster, but his logic is far from flawed. Houston’s dealt with a slew of significant injuries, including the season-ending losses of receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell, defensive back Jalen Pitre and safety Jimmie Ward.

Houston limped into the bye week after 13 straight games and also closed out December with two losses to playoff-bound rosters.

Meanwhile. the Chargers have been one of the league’s hottest teams, closing out the regular season with three straight wins, including double-digit wins over the Raiders and Patriots.

While Parsons can predict Houston will be a one-and-done in the postseason, at least the other Texas team made it. What did the Cowboys finish this year after shoring up the No. 2 seed a season ago?

Hopefully the 7-10 record is enough to satisfy Parsons. Houston, meanwhile, looks to shock the world on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at NRG Stadium.

They’re all bought in, even if Parsons has sold his stock.

“Noise is always going to be there,” Stroud said. “It’s a part of sports. It’s always evident in this sport. They said the same thing about us last year when we played the Browns (in the playoffs). I’m not saying it’s last year, but we went out there and did what we had to do to win. ”

Texans vs. Chargers injury report: Latest updates, news for Wednesday

Here’s the injury report for both the Texans and Chargers following Wednesday’s practice.

Here are the full injury reports from Wednesday’s practice for the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers ahead of their wild-card round showdown on Saturday at NRG Stadium.

Houston Texans (10-7)

DID NOT PRACTICE

Key things to know about Texans’ wild-card opponent: Chargers

Here’s some quick hits to know about the Los Angeles Chargers entering the wild-card round showdown on Saturday.

The Houston Texans return to NRG Stadium to face off against the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round on Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

To preview the matchup, here are some key things to know about Houston.

How Houston finished the regular season

The Chargers finished with an 11-6 record, winning three of their last four games, including two by 14-plus points. Against playoff teams, Los Angeles posted a 3-4 record, including a 0-2 record against No. 1 seed Kansas City.

Luck Ladd

Justin Herbert is the headliner out west, but he’s had a reliable weapon in Ladd McConkey. The second-round pick out of Georgia has been a consistent target in the slot, averaging 5.2 catches per game and 14.0 yards a reception. He also has three 100-yard outings, including a career-best 123-yard performance against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Win on third down

The Chargers enter Saturday not only boasting the NFL’s top-scoring defense, but also featuring a top-five defense on third-down efficiency. Headlined by All-Pro safety Derwin James, Los Angeles is allowing opponents to convert on 35.7% of drives.

Houston, which is coming off a 23-14 win over the Tennessee Titans, ranked 20th in conversion rating at 37.6% per outing.

Red zone dominance

Bobby Slowik’s play-calling must be elite inside the 20. Los Angeles’ defense not only leads the league in scoring but also opposing red-zone touchdown percentage. Teams are scoring at a 44.6% success rate.

Slowing down Nick Bosa and Khalil Mack might be the key for Houston if it plans on scoring. The Bolts duo under new defensive coordinator Jesse Minter finished with 11 total sacks. Bud Dupree, the No. 3 rotational specialist, also recorded six sacks in 15 games.

Other notes

  • The Chargers are 10th  in third-down conversion rate and 3rd in turnover margin.
  • Herbert leads the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio with 23 passing TDs against 3 INTs
  • The Chargers have the second-fewest giveaways (14)
  • Los Angeles has allowed 44 sacks this season, 23 of which have come up from up the middle.
  • While a balanced offense, the Chargers are averaging 213.5 passing yards per game. Eight different players have caught a touchdown pass from Herbert.

Texans vs. Chargers injury report: Latest updates, news for Tuesday

Here’s the injury report for both the Texans and Chargers following Tuesday’s practice.

Here are the full injury reports from Tuesday’s practice for the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers ahead of their wild-card round showdown on Saturday at NRG Stadium.

Houston Texans (10-7)

DID NOT PRACTICE