The Day After the Day After: The Houston Texans crush the L.A. Chargers within the Wild Card Spherical

The Day After the Day After…when the uncooked, fast feelings from the aftermath of a recreation diminish into the realm of readability and the proverbial (or literal) hangover not haunts the thoughts. With that, a assessment of Wild Card Weekend:

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The 2nd Quarter, the place two performs involving throwing throughout the QB’s physique formed the course of the sport:

1st and 10 from the HOU 40 (11:39, 2nd): The LA Chargers, after a highlight-reel INT, had the ball as soon as once more in Houston territory. Up to now within the recreation, it was all LA. They dominated in yardage (104 to 39), time of possession (12:15 to 4:36) and turnovers (2 to 0). Once more in Houston territory, it appeared like LA might break the sport open. The first play from scrimmage, Herbert took the snap, rolled out to his proper, after which threw throughout the sector, off-balanced, to a breaking Quentin Johnson. A number of Texans’ defensive backs ran with him, however an on-target throw will get LA a 1st and aim. As an alternative, the cross-body/cross-field throw ended up within the arms of Kamari Lassiter. Houston regained possession on the 10.

third and 16 from the HOU 17 (2:24, 2nd): The Texans confronted one other third and lengthy. Very seemingly, the Chargers figured to get the ball again with loads of time so as to add to their 6-0 lead. Issues appeared to go from dangerous to worse as QB CJ Stroud seemingly took his eyes off the snap, and the ball sailed previous his proper shoulder. A fortuitous bounce noticed Stroud recuperate the ball in stride, rolling proper to keep away from the Chargers’ defenders. Earlier than he ran out of bounds, Stroud noticed a breaking Xavier Hutchinson, deep down the sector in a spot within the LA secondary. It was a cross-body sort throw, however Stroud received sufficient on the ball to search out Hutchinson, who accomplished a 34-yard catch and run to the LA 49.

Two performs, two completely different outcomes. Whereas Houston didn’t rating on the drive following the first INT, it did blunt the Chargers’ momentum. LA received the ball again, however might solely muster a punt, which pinned Houston deep, establishing the second key play. The play to Hutchinson seemingly sparked one thing in Stroud and the Houston offense. For the primary time arguably all season, the gunslinging thrower of Stroud’s rookie 12 months returned. Two completions to Collins later, and Houston, regardless of being outplayed all recreation to that time, moved forward 7-6. The overall rule of thumb is that QB ought to by no means throw throughout his physique to the center/reverse aspect of the sector (excessive danger for possibly not that top a reward). For the Chargers, it proved disastrous. For the Texans, game-breaking.

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Joe Mixon and the left aspect of the Texans’ offensive line, a closing method: Coming into the 4th quarter, Mixon’s recreation was most notable for the non-public foul he dedicated on the non-interception within the crimson zone. As soon as the 4th quarter hit, enterprise picked up for the Professional Bowler. 10 carries for 57 yards on the large 4th quarter drive that successfully ended the sport. Of his 10 carries, 5 went to the left aspect of the Houston line, accounting for 39 yards and one TD. For Mixon and the left aspect of the offensive line, a large bounce-back after some less-than-stellar performances.

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Line play, benefit Houston: Coming into this matchup, the Chargers figured to have a bonus of their line play. Early on. the Chargers pressed that benefit. Nonetheless, Houston’s line of defense stored the Texans within the recreation. This offered crucial as recreation momentum shifted in direction of Houston. A mixture of a recreation getting away from them, questionable play calling and the Houston defensive entrance noticed the Chargers abandon the run, not one thing that bodes properly for a Greg Roman offense. 18 carries for 50 yards proved the ultimate Chargers’ dashing totals. In the meantime, Houston’s maligned offensive line allowed the Texans to hurry 34 instances for 168 yards. Stroud was sacked thrice and compelled into one INT, however Herbert suffered 4 sacks and 4 INTs, with the Houston line of defense throwing him off-kilter.

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FUN WITH NUMBERS:

43-6: The scoring margin within the second half of Wild Card video games at dwelling underneath DeMeco Ryans. In two seasons on the helm of the Texans, Ryans led the squad to 2 dwelling playoff wins. Particularly, the Houston Texans flip it on within the 2nd half of these video games, particularly on the defensive aspect. Together with preserving groups off the scoreboard, the protection is outscoring offenses 18-6 in these two second halves. Getting 5 second-half INTs helps.

11: Variety of passes defended by Houston. Most capital cities don’t have the air protection Houston did on today. Together with the 4 INTs, Houston defended 11 passes, doing a lot to contribute to Herbert’s worst recreation of the season. For reference, the report for passes defended in a playoff recreation is 17, when the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Minnesota Vikings within the Divisional Playoffs in 2005.

2-1: CJ Stroud’s playoff report. This additionally strikes him into 1st all-time in Texans’ playoff wins as a beginning QB. All different Texans’ QB with a playoff win have only one (T.J. Yates, Matt Schaub, Brock Osweiler, Deshaun Watson). Now about that first divisional playoff win…

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GAME BALLS:

CB Derek Stingley, Jr.: What a technique to validate a 1st crew All-Professional choice. His stat line: 4 tackles (all solo), two INTs, FIVE passes defended. Together with these performs, his on-target protection on Quentin Johnson on a 4th and a couple of on the Chargers 1st offensive possession of the second half killed a significant momentum likelihood for LA.

QB CJ Stroud: 22 of 33 for 282 yards, one TD and one INT. This may arguably be Stroud’s finest recreation of the season. He began the sport sluggish, like his different late-season performances. But, after that third and 16 conversion within the 2nd quarter, all the pieces modified. The assured thrower returned. Stroud even ran for 42 yards on 6 carries to supply steadiness. Even his rookie-year luck appeared to return, when the Chargers dropped two sure INTs throughout the recreation.

RT Blake Fisher: A lot is made from the rookie defensive backs Kamari Lassiter and Caden Bullock, and for good cause, however give it up for OT Blake Fisher. The 2nd spherical lineman out of Notre Dame figured to be a swing deal with/depth participant for his rookie season. But, with all of the accidents and ineffectiveness of the Texans’ line, Fisher received pressed into the beginning lineup. With the transfer of Howard to protect, Fisher took over as proper deal with. Whereas not good, he held up greater than well-enough to permit Houston’s offense to supply its finest efficiency in a while.

RB Joe Mixon: NVP. All that want be stated.

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WR Ladd McConkey: You place up 9 receptions for 197 yards and a large TD, particularly in opposition to a secondary with Derek Stingley Jr., you get a shoutout, even when you play for the adversary.

LA/California-based Firefighters/First Responders: Given all they’re doing, a BRB recreation ball is the least we are able to do (properly, that and contribute to reduction efforts).

SHOULD BE FORCED TO LISTEN TO THE INANE COMMENTARY ON ESPN’S SPORTS TALK SHOWS ON REPEAT WHILE UPDATING THEIR WARDROBE TO WEAR THE JIM HARBAUGH LINE OF CHEAP SLACKS.

Rex Ryan: A “bye week”? Oh, he isn’t getting excoriated on social media repeatedly and deservedly for the reason that last whistle from this recreation. Positive, he owned as much as it, however nonetheless, he gained’t be coping with a continuing torrent of feedback from the 713 space code for the remainder of the week. Nope, in no way.

Dean Spanos: Significantly dude, rename the [KITTEN] crew! I needed to right myself a number of instances as I needed to name them the San Diego Chargers. You moved out of San Diego, giving that metropolis the center finger. Not less than give the squad a brand new title.

With that, Houston plans a revenge tour as they journey again to Arrowhead to face the #1 seed, two-time defending champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Kickoff slated for Saturday, 3:30 CST on ABC/ESPN.