Three wins in the final six regular-season games led the Houston Texans to a home playoff game nonetheless.
As they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC wild-card round on Saturday, the fourth-seeded Texans realize the urgency ramps up in January and beyond. That especially rings true against a fifth-seeded Chargers team that boasts the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense.
“If you get hot as an offense, especially around this time of year, that’s a really good thing for your team and your organization,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said.
Assured of their second consecutive AFC South crown, the Texans opted to rest several key contributors in the regular-season finale on the heels of a 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
Still, Houston (10-7) finished with a needed spark, ending a two-game skid with a 23-14 road victory against the Tennessee Titans, who secured the top pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud connected on all six passes for 50 yards in his lone series on Sunday, punctuating the cameo with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins. Thrust into an increased role after a midseason injury to Stefon Diggs, Collins led Houston in receptions (68), receiving yards (1,006) and receiving touchdowns (seven) this season.
For Houston to “get hot,” the passing game and a ground attack led by Joe Mixon (1,016 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) must keep the Chargers off balance. That’s no easy task against a Los Angeles front seven led by veterans Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
“Obviously, Bosa and Khalil have been good for a very long time,” Slowik said. “Played a lot of football and it shows on tape. Constant pressure, constant impact in the run game and what they do to edges.”
Los Angeles (11-6) is in the playoffs in its first season under coach Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL after spending nine years at the helm of his alma mater, Michigan.
In Week 18, the Chargers seized an opportunity to move up to the AFC’s fifth seed, handling the host Las Vegas Raiders 34-20 behind 346 passing yards and two touchdowns from Justin Herbert.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals the night before created an opening for the Chargers, who stretched their winning streak to three games.
Herbert quickly developed a rapport with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey this season, whose 82 catches and 1,149 yards led the team. McConkey grabbed seven touchdown receptions, one behind teammate Quentin Johnston’s total.
The Texans allowed 201 passing yards per game during the regular season, the sixth-lowest figure in the league, while their 29 takeaways were fifth most in the NFL. Led by defensive linemen Danielle Hunter (12 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11), Houston set a franchise mark with 49 sacks, tied for fourth most in the league.
Los Angeles may include a new wrinkle in its attack after signing veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott to the practice squad this week. Chargers rushing leaders J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both battled injuries down the stretch.
“We’ve done a great job of marrying the run and the pass game and making things look similar,” Herbert said. “Having the threat of being able to run the ball out of a certain set and throw the ball out of the same set, it’s tough on defenses.”
That kind of guesswork could pressure Houston, which struggled with its red-zone defense (ranked 27th).
Saturday marks the first postseason meeting between the Texans and Chargers.
Houston is 1-2 against AFC West foes in the playoffs, having beaten the then-Oakland Raiders and having lost twice to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chargers are 3-1 against the AFC South in postseason play, including a defeat in their most recent playoff game. Visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars in a wild-card game after the 2022 season, Los Angeles squandered a 27-7 halftime lead en route to a 31-30 loss.
