The Houston Texans answered several questions from critics and proved the oddsmakers wrong on Sunday, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers convincingly, 32-12. Coming into the weekend’s Wild Card round match-up, DeMeco Ryans and his team were considered the underdogs. They quickly put those doubts to rest and held serve at NRG Stadium. With Texans, Nation concerned that the team was too banged up – or lacked confidence – heading into the playoffs, the squad quieted all the noise. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back Joe Mixon led the way on offense. However, this contest showcased the power and precision of the Houston defense. The unit kept LA quarterback Justin Herbert on the run all day.
Texans’ Defensive Prowess is No Secret Around the NFL
Houston had the Sixth-Best Defense in the League in 2024
With offensive stars like 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Stroud, power back Mixon, and playmakers like Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell on offense, the defense probably didn’t get the attention it deserved during the 2024 campaign. But the Texans ‘D’ shined on Saturday, seizing the spotlight.
Houston recorded four sacks and four interceptions. Cornerback Darryl Stingley, Jr. had two of those picks. Kamari Lassiter had an interception as well, while Eric Murray grabbed a Herbert pass and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown. Both Will Anderson Jr. and Mario Edwards Jr. had 1.5 sacks apiece, while Deneco Autry added a QB takedown, as well.
“Playing playoff football, the first thing you have to do is stop the run,” Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game. “And that’s where our interior defensive linemen played great today… You stop the run, you force teams to throw the ball, and that’s where our entire D-Line cut it loose. They really got a lot of pressure on the quarterback.”
Coach DeMeco Ryans is Finding the Right Formula
It wasn’t just spectacular defense that helped the Texans take down The ‘Bolts. They played at a high level in every facet of the game – even on special teams. Kaimi Fairburn went a perfect three-for-three on field goal attempts. Punter Tommy Townsend kept the Chargers pinned down all day, booting four times for a total of 183 yards – a 45.8 average.
As Ryans looks ahead, he’s hoping that his team will keep that mix of success going, because things won’t get any easier from here. The Texans will jump into the fire in the next round. They travel to Kansas City to face the top-seeded Chiefs on Saturday, January 18. The Houston coach says he knows his team will be ready for the challenge.
“The unique thing about our team is… I don’t have to challenge those guys at all. They understand the money; they understand why we’re built the way we’re built.”
Main Photo: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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