If they’re going to have a go of it, it’s now or never.
Rested and ready to roll? Hot on the heels of the epic trouncing of the Tennessee Titans to end the season, the Houston Texans face actual competition today. The 11-6 Los Angeles Chargers are coming to town for the 1st post season game of the 2024 NFL campaign. Can the Texans take ‘em? Well, a lot of H-Town fans sure think so. Based on this week’s poll, 64% of Houston’s fans are anticipating a win today.
Both second year quarterback C.J. Stroud and all-star defender Danielle Hunter are poised to make history today as well.
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C.J. STROUD
Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for a total of 449 yards and three touchdowns with a 109.3 passer rating in his first two playoffs starts last year, including a Wild Card win in which he recorded the highest passer rating (157.2) by a rookie in his postseason debut all-time.
With a win against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+), Stroud can become the sixth quarterback all-time to win a playoff game in each of his first two seasons.
DANIELLE HUNTER
Houston defensive end Danielle Hunter has a sack in each of his past four postseason games and can make his playoff debut with the Texans on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers (4:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+).
With a sack on Wild Card Weekend, Hunter can become the seventh player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to record a sack in five consecutive postseason games.
It’s no wonder most Texans fans seem happy with the direction Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans have taken this franchise.
Unfortunately, it’s not all rainbows and puppy dogs in H-Town. And, should the Texans lose today, expect the fanbase to call for a new offensive coordinator quickly and overwhelmingly. Riding into 2024, the expectations of a high powered offense were sky high. Coordinator Bobby Slowik has failed to meet those expectations. His 2024 campaign marred with atrocious offensive line play, questionable play calling and a seeming lack of buy-in from the players.
One could say Slowik is coaching for his job today. And, that might not be wrong. With more than 2/3rds of the fanbase wanting a change in offensive coaching, it’s now or never for Bobby and his staff.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans NFL Wildcard
Today’s game marks the 1st time these franchises have met in the postseason. They have faced off 9 times in the regular season, with the Chargers taking 6 of those games, while Houston has won 2 of the past 3.
Both teams have potent quarterbacks and solid receiving targets. Both also have quality running games, although Texans tailback Joe Mixon is in a class by himself here.
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JOE MIXON was 1 of 4 AFC RBs with 1,000+ rush yards (1,016) & 10+ rush TDs (11) this season, 5th-career season with 1,000+ rush yards. Is only player in NFL with 1,250+ scrimmage yards in each of past 4 seasons. Has rush TD in 2 of 3 career games vs. LAC. Has 582 scrimmage yards (83.1 per game) in 7 career playoff games. Selected to 2nd-career Pro Bowl in 2024.
On the other side of the ball, Houston has the seventh stingiest passing D in the league, surrendering only 3,753 air yards this season. Los Angeles, however, is right behind them in eighth place with 3,762 passing yards.
If the air attacks are a wash, then that leaves it up to the ground game.
Houston’s run defense is the 11th stoutest shield wall in the NFL right now, having given up only 1,938 ground yards. LA is 14th with 1,997 yards against.
With the strength of these two defenses, it’s hard to buy in on the over 42.5. And, most Texans fans agree.
If this game was outside in bad weather, you could expect a good old fashioned, slobber-knocker, won or lost in the trenches. However, it’s happening inside in the Texans 1.9 million sq ft barn, where the bulls may very well be on parade. Homefield advantage gives the homer a 2.5 point gain, but the Chargers are favored in this Wildcard bout by 3.
The HomerForce is strong with this one, though, as the majority of Texans fans are expecting a win, even over the spread.
As often seen in post-season games, this opening battle of the 2024 NFL Playoffs will likely come down to which team makes the most mistakes.
The Texans are second in the league in interceptions, with 19 this season, while LA has forced 15. Overall, Houston is sitting at a +10 turnover differential, while the Chargers are +12.
Someone has to blink. The 1st to do so today is likely the 1st eliminated from the 2024 postseason.
If you want to bet on the over/under or the win/loss outcome, head over to FanDuel Sportsbook.