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The Texans lack of wide receiver depth is showing itself immediately.
With Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell out for the season they need John Metchie to step up. An early fumble not the way to do it.
Score: Chargers 3, Texans 0
Just as the Chargers struck first, the offense gets it right back after Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie fumbled and was recovered by Los Angeles safety Derwin James.
Justin Herbert and the offense will look to extend the lead.
Score: Chargers 3, Texans 0
Credit the Houston defense for stopping Los Angeles from taking the opening drive to the house.
A combination of run and pass plays saw the Chargers moving the ball toward the end zone before hitting a Texan wall. Running back J.K. Dobbins was tackled for a loss on third-and-one and forced head coach Jim Harbaugh to send out the field goal unit.
Cameron Dicker converted the 34-yarder to get points on the board.
Score: Chargers 3, Texans 0
The game is under way in Texas!
Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn started the contest with the opening kick at NRG Stadium. The Chargers begin on offense, with Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert leading the Chargers’ first offensive possession.
Score: Chargers 0, Texans 0
Ahead of kickoff, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert wore a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) hat while warming up for the game versus the Houston Texans.
On Friday, the NFL announced a combined $5 million donation to various organizations that are supporting the communities being impacted by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The Rams, Texans, Minnesota Vikings, and NFL Foundation were part of the pledge.
Herbert’s teammate Scott Matlock was interviewed pregame on CBS and said the team was trying to “do their part” in the face of “such a terrible thing.”
“We are definitely keeping all of the families affected in our thoughts today.”
Scott Matlock
The PA announcer asked for a brief moment of silence to honor those impacted before the playing of the National Anthem at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Saturday’s game is playing out against the backdrop of the devastating wildfires that are burning through the Los Angeles metro area.
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said earlier this week he has been inspired by the efforts of others in the face of the deadly wildfires in the area.
“My heart goes out and our prayers go out, abundant prayers, to all those that have been affected by this tragedy,” said Harbaugh, wearing a Los Angeles Fire Department cap, at a news conference Thursday.
Harbaugh said he’s been “inspired greatly by the first responders, the firefighters, and the residents that have pulled together and had each other’s back.”
“You see neighbors on top of houses helping fellow neighbors. It’s truly inspiring.”
Jim Harbaugh
The Chargers travel to Houston to face the Texans on Saturday in the opening playoff game of the NFL’s wild-card weekend.
It’s a weekend chock full of football action in one of the highlights of the season: Wild-card weekend.
Here are the games we’re watching this weekend and where to watch them as you follow along with CNN’s live coverage:
Saturday’s games:
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans – 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- Pittsburgh Steelers Baltimore Ravens – 8 p.m. ET (Prime Video)
Sunday’s games:
- Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills – 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)
- Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles – 4:30 p.m. ET (Fox)
- Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 8 p.m. ET (NBC, Peacock)
The opening game of the 2024 playoffs will be held at NRG Stadium in Houston with the Texans hosting the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coming off a 2023 full of promise, the Texans have finished atop a meager AFC South division. Conversely, the Chargers have dramatically improved on last year’s performance in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as head coach.
The Chargers are led by star quarterback Justin Herbert, who has blossomed under Harbaugh’s stewardship and thrown for 3,870 pass yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
In CJ Stroud, LA will be facing off against quarterback who struggled in his second NFL season but still managed to book a spot in the postseason.
The stars of the show on Saturday, though, could be the defenses with both excelling in 2024; Houston has 19 interceptions, the second most this year, while Los Angeles’ unit is laden with game-changing talent such as Derwin James, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Given the holes in both teams’ rosters – the Chargers aren’t loaded with pass catchers for Herbert while the Texans’ wide receiving core has been depleted by injuries – neither team is expected to challenge for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
But the opening game of the playoffs could still have some intrigue as the teams seek to make the first step towards New Orleans and possibly upset a heavyweight or two along the way.
