Texans early offense too much for Chargers to overcome

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A slow start for the Los Angeles Chargers led to a 20-16 loss at the hands of the Houston Texans.

Three plays into the game Houston found itself with a lead that they would never let go of. CJ Stroud found Jayden Higgins for a 75-yard touchdown after the rookie wide receiver blew right by the Chargers secondary in what looked like miscommunication leading to broken coverage.

Two measly runs and a sack later, Los Angeles was forced to punt and the Texans forced another deep play into action. Taking just four plays this time around, Stroud found his other rookie receiver, Jaylin Noel, for a 43-yard touchdown strike. Both Higgins and Noel were draft picks out of Iowa State(who would've thought?).

The Chargers offense remained stagnant behind their depleted offensive line - as has been the case for much of the season following Joe Alt's injury. Justin Herbert has made a habit of using his magic to piece together good drives for the unit, but today that was tough to come by.

Los Angeles' defense got back on track and started to shut down the Texans, resulting in a series of punts from both teams.

As is usually the case in these scenarios, it takes a star to break through. In a role primarily played by Herbert this year, it was another player stepping up for the lead this time around. That star was four-time all-pro Derwin James who picked off a pass and ran it back enough to position the Chargers in field goal territory.

The Chargers settled for three points on that possession and after teams traded interceptions and Cameron Dicker missed a 32-yard field goal, Los Angeles hit the locker room for halftime in a 14-3 deficit.

Defensive momentum carried into the second half for the Chargers as they held Houston to three points in the third quarter.

Herbert answered on the ensuing drive with a 28-yard scramble and a touchdown pass to Oronde Gadsden II a few plays later to make it a 17-10 game.

The fourth quarter was almost a mirror image with the Texans getting another field goal and the Chargers responding with another touchdown. This time it was Omarion Hampton crossing the plane on a run up the gut, but tragedy would soon follow.

Cameron Dicker shanked the extra point, and with it, ended the Chargers' hopes at a comeback win.

Houston ran the final 3:37 of game time out to top the Chargers in the game and in the standings. The Texans now hold the sixth seed and Los Angeles bumps down to the seventh seed.

Next week would have been a showdown for the AFC West against the Denver Broncos, but that will no longer be the case. The Bolts can still climb their way up to the fifth seed with some help, but as it currently stands, they will be traveling to Foxboro to take on the second-seed Patriots in the Wild Card round.