The Houston Texans were down 6-0 and facing third-and-16 from their 17-yard line late in the first half of their wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers when quarterback C.J. Stroud fumbled the snap.
It looked like the play might be a disaster, but Stroud quickly recovered the ball, avoided the rush, and found Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain.
The Texans went on to score a touchdown on that drive, which was the start of 23 straight points, leading them to a 32-12 victory.
They have advanced to the divisional round for the second year in a row, where they will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.
Coach DeMeco Ryans praised Stroud for saving that play, calling it the play of the game. He highlighted Stroud’s performance as an example of what great players do.
“That’s what it looks like when your best players step up and make the plays,” Ryans said. “That’s what playoff football is about. That’s what being a big-time player in the league is about.”
Although Stroud was unhappy about the fumbled snap, he felt much better when he saw his teammates cheering on the sideline after his throw.
“And everybody was turned up, and that turned me up, because I was still kind of mad at myself,” Stroud said. “Those are the type of plays that change momentum, and a team can rally around plays like that.”
Stroud finished the game with 282 passing yards, one touchdown pass to Nico Collins, and one interception. He joined Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez, Russell Wilson, and Brock Purdy as quarterbacks to win playoff starts in each of their first two seasons.
Stroud also ran for 42 yards, including a career-long 27-yard run that helped set up a field goal, giving the Texans a 10-6 lead at halftime.
Stroud, who isn’t known for his scrambling, joked about his “slow speed.”
He said the long run energized him.
“I felt my joy coming back after I got up, and it’s just one of the best feelings in the world,” Stroud said. “After you make a play, you’re just turned up and your teammates are turned up with you. That’s one of the best feelings in the world. I think that gave our team juice. I think me using my legs is definitely going to be helpful this postseason.”
Ryans was pleased to see Stroud doing whatever was necessary to help his team win.
“That’s what you call (putting) the team on your back,” Ryans said.
What’s working:
The Texans intercepted Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert a career-high four times, even though he had thrown just three interceptions all season. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley had two picks, and Eric Murray returned one of them 38 yards for a touchdown. Rookie Kamari Lassiter also intercepted Herbert, joining J.J. Watt as the only rookies in franchise history with an interception in a playoff game.
Houston’s four interceptions set a franchise record for a playoff game, and Murray’s touchdown return was the fourth in team history.
What needs help:
To have a chance against the Chiefs, the Texans will need to take better care of the ball after committing three turnovers in the game. John Metchie fumbled on Houston’s first offensive play, Stroud threw an interception in the second quarter, and Joe Mixon lost a fumble early in the third quarter.
Stock up:
Cornerback D’Angelo Ross had a standout performance on special teams. He blocked a punt in the first quarter and returned a blocked extra point for two points in the fourth quarter. The blocked punt was the first in a playoff game since the 2021 season, and the PAT return was the first in NFL playoff history.
Stock down:
Left guard Tytus Howard allowed a sack and committed two penalties in the game.
Injuries:
The Texans had no injuries in Saturday’s game.
Key number:
168 — Houston’s 168 rushing yards in the game were the second most in franchise history for a playoff game, behind the 188 yards they gained in their first-ever postseason game in 2012. Mixon led the way with 106 rushing yards, marking his eighth 100-yard game of the season.
