The Houston Texans have a knack for making history during the early 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 breakout Bolts’ roster, the Texans became the fifth team to record four interceptions, an interception return for a touchdown and four sacks in a playoff game win, according to ESPN Research.
The last three teams to accomplish that feat in the playoffs were the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and the 1989 San Francisco 49ers.
What doe all those all those teams have in common? The trio hoisted up a Lombardi Trophy after moving on to the Super Bowl.
“Our defense, they dominated today,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “That’s who we want to be. They played our brand of football. They stopped the run first. That’s what I’m most proud of how we stop the run. And when we stop the run, you make a team one-dimensional, and that’s when our defensive line just causes havoc.”
Houston started the turnover-filled day with a Kamari Lassiter interception during the second quarter. With 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Herbert overshot rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, leading to a 36-yard return for a touchdown by Eric Murray.
During the fourth quarter, Herbert was intercepted on back-to-back drives by Derek Stingley Jr., including the nail in the coffin on Los Angeles’ final drive.
Derek Stingley Jr in the Wild Card Round:
94.9 coverage grade
10 targets
5 catches allowed
2 INTs
2 forced incompletions
30.0 passer rating allowed pic.twitter.com/5GR70B4tTM— PFF (@PFF) January 13, 2025
The defense allowed a field goal on the Chargers’ first two drives then stiffened up to buy the Texans’ offense 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 make a team one-dimensional, and that’s when our defensive line just causes havoc,” Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson said.
Can’t get over how bad this play call on 4th and 2.5 was. Texans LB’s don’t buy the fake at all (as they shouldn’t), Ladd and Chark are basically running the same route which essentially leaves QJ running a less than ideal route for him 1 on 1 against DEREK STINGLEY JR. as the… pic.twitter.com/u7m5uVUMLS
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) January 14, 2025
Herbert became the first full-time starter in NFL history to have more interceptions in a playoff game than in the regular season. The Texans pressured the Pro Bowl passer on 39% of his dropbacks as he went 1-for-10 for 17 yards with an interception under duress.
“That’s the complementary football that we been looking for and we been needing as a team,” Ryans said. “Just outstanding performance on all three phases. Really proud of all our guys.”
Houston travels to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN and ABC.