HOUSTON — During a wild-card playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Houston Texans found themselves in a tough spot, down 6-0 and facing a daunting third-and-16 from their own 17-yard line late in the first half. It seemed like disaster was imminent when quarterback C.J. Stroud fumbled the snap.

However, Stroud managed to avoid the oncoming defenders and made an impressive recovery, connecting with Xavier Hutchinson for a substantial 34-yard gain. This pivotal play ignited a drive that culminated in a touchdown, starting a remarkable sequence of 23 consecutive points that led the Texans to a decisive 32-12 victory.

With this win, the Texans advanced to the divisional round for the second consecutive season and are set to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday. Coach DeMeco Ryans highlighted Stroud’s ability to salvage the play as a game-changing moment, praising his young quarterback’s performance.

“That’s what it looks like when your best players step up and make the plays,” Ryans remarked. “That’s the essence of playoff football and what it means to be a standout player in this league.”

Despite the successful outcome, Stroud expressed frustration about fumbling the snap, but his mood lifted when he saw the excitement from his teammates on the sidelines after making the throw. “That turned me up, because I was still kind of mad at myself,” he shared. “Such plays can really shift momentum, allowing a team to rally around them.”

Stroud ended the game with 282 passing yards, including a touchdown to Nico Collins, though he also registered one interception. This achievement places him alongside noteworthy quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Russell Wilson, who have all won playoff games in their first two seasons. He also contributed with 42 rushing yards, including a career-best 27-yard run that propelled the Texans into a lead at halftime with a field goal.

Not typically recognized for his running skills, Stroud humorously referred to his pace as “slow” but noted that the lengthy run had re-energized him. “I felt my joy coming back after I got up, and it’s just one of the best feelings in the world,” he said. “These moments uplift both you and your teammates, providing the juice we needed. I believe my ability to utilize my legs will be significant during this postseason.”

Coach Ryans expressed excitement over Stroud’s willingness to put the team on his back to secure victory. “That’s what you call putting the team on your back,” he said proudly.

On the defensive side, the Texans were formidable, intercepting Justin Herbert four times, a career high for the Chargers’ quarterback who only had three interceptions during the entire season. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley was responsible for two of those interceptions, while Eric Murray even returned one for a 38-yard touchdown. Rookie Kamari Lassiter joined the exclusive club of rookies to have an interception in a playoff game for the franchise.

The four interceptions mark a new franchise record for a playoff game, and Murray’s touchdown return was the fourth in the team’s postseason history.

However, for the Texans to compete effectively against the Chiefs, they must minimize turnovers; they committed three during the game. John Metchie fumbled immediately after a catch, Stroud threw an interception in the second quarter, and Joe Mixon lost a fumble early in the third.

On a positive note, cornerback D’Angelo Ross shone on special teams, blocking a punt in the first quarter. He also scored by returning a blocked extra point in the fourth quarter, marking the first such return in NFL playoff history.

On a less favorable note, left guard Tytus Howard faced challenges, allowing a sack and committing two penalties during the game.

Fortunately, the Texans reported no injuries following the matchup.

A key statistic highlighted Houston’s rushing success: they amassed 168 rushing yards, the second-highest in franchise playoff history, just shy of the 188 yards gained in their inaugural postseason game back in 2012. Mixon earned 106 of those yards, marking his eighth game of over 100 rushing yards this season.

Looking ahead, the Texans will compete in the divisional round for only the sixth time in franchise history, and a win would secure their first trip to the AFC Championship game.