Overview
- C.J. Stroud hit Jayden Higgins for 75 yards and Jaylin Noel for 43 on Houston’s first two drives to build a 14-0 lead.
- Stroud finished 16-of-28 for 244 yards with two interceptions, while Justin Herbert threw for 236 with a left-hand injury and took five sacks.
- Derwin James Jr. intercepted Stroud as the teams traded takeaways, including Azeez Al-Shaair’s pick of Herbert before halftime.
- Special teams proved pivotal for Los Angeles with a missed 32-yard field goal earlier and Cameron Dicker’s late missed extra point in a four-point game.
- Houston improved to 11-5 with eight straight wins and a franchise-first third consecutive postseason, while the Chargers fell to 11-5 as Denver secured the division and local reports said Indianapolis was eliminated.