It’s 12:35 AM Saturday morning and I don’t know about yall but I’m hyped for some Texans playoff football! 3:30 pm can’t come fast enough. The whole city of Houston is juiced up for this home playoff matchup against the LA Chargers. So let’s talk about it!
Texans Offense Vs Chargers Defense
It’s a given that CJ Stroud has had his struggles this season and that he has regressed from his spectacular 2023 rookie season. He has recorded 20 TD’s 12 INT’s, a step down from his 23 TD’s and 5 INT season from last year. My first, and most important key to this game is CJ Stroud must, at all costs, take care of the football in this game. He must secure that football and have a turnover free game if the Texans are to have any chance in this game. The retooled offensive line must have an effective game run blocking and pass protecting, if they expect to move on to the divisional round. Joe Mixon has been a workhorse all season long. Jim Harbaugh, and particularly Jesse Minter (Chargers DC) will have his defense ready to give Stroud fits. Minter and Stroud know each other well from their battles when both respectively duked it out as Michigan DC and Ohio State QB. My wildcard and player to watch in this game is Diontae Johnson. We have no idea what to expect from Johnson. My gut feeling is that he along with Nico Collins will have a HUGE game.
Texans Defense vs Chargers Offense
The Texans defense is finally healthy (minus Jalen Pitre). Derek Stingley was just crowned All-Pro. Danille Hunter and Will Anderson Jr are feeling very hungry and disrespected after being snubbed from the Pro Bowl. While the Chargers boast great tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, the Texans defense can counter with Hunter and Anderson Jr. If that isn’t enough, they have the big boys up up front, Fatukasi, Mario Edwards, and underrated Tim Settle to cause havoc and pressure, and make Justin Herbert’s life tougher. Christian Harris and Azeez Al-Shaair will be playing together for the first time this season. Bullock, Stingley, and Lassiter will need to continue to make plays in the back end like they have been all season long. My confidence in the defense, even without Pitre and Ward, is very very high.
Closing Thoughts
Contrary to popular belief, this will be a very close game. Both teams want to control the time of possession. The chess match between Harbaugh and Demeco will be one to watch. Bobby Slowik will need to call his best game of the season. The offensive line will need to protect CJ Stroud and give Joe Mixon lanes to run through. Our edge duo will need to get pressure on Justin Herbert. The interior of our defense will need to have their best game. The Harris/Al-Shaiir duo will have to fly around and make plays. And finally, the secondary led by our ALL-PRO corner Derek Stingley Jr will need to play shut down football. The Texans will have to do something they haven’t done all year. Play a full, complete, 4 quarters of very good football. But, it’s a new season. 0-0. Clean slate. One quarter at a time, one series at a time, one play at a time. Let’s go win a ball game! BEAT LA! GO TEXANS!!
