Final score: Chargers 34, Texans 24
Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 340 yards passing and two touchdowns as the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Houston Texans 34-24 Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.
Texans quarterback Davis Mills went 26-of-35 for 246 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
The Texans fell down as far as 27-7 at halftime and pulled within three points in the fourth quarter. However, the Chargers ran away with an insurance touchdown with 2:34 left as running back Austin Ekeler caught a 14-yard touchdown.
Keys to the game
The Texans were hardly better on third down as they went 4-12 on third down. Their total yards were markedly improved as Houston tallied 346. However, Houston’s defense gave up 419 yards with 338 of them coming through the air.
Los Angeles’ offense churned 3.0 yards per carry, but Ekeler was still able to score two touchdowns from 10 yards and 20 yards out..
Mills also took four sacks on the afternoon. Comparatively the Texans pass defense was only able to drop Herbert once.
It was over when...
Ekeler scored the 14-yard touchdown with 2:34 to go in the game. The Texans were in the ballgame to that point, but it was the insurance points that gave Los Angeles the edge. Houston never stopped battling, even when they were down 27-7. But 10 points at that juncture in the game was too much to overcome.
Stat of the game
K Ka’imi Fairbairn absolutely turned a 46-yard field goal left in the first quarter. It had no chance by neither distance nor accuracy. If Fairbairn hit it, the game would have been tied 27-27 in the fourth, and maybe Ekeler’s touchdown wouldn’t have been such a nail in the coffin.
Players of the game
Herbert: 27/39, 340 yards, 2 TDs, 113.2 passer rating
Pierce: 14 carries, 131 yards, TD — 75-yard TD run
Mike Williams: 7 catches, 120 yards
Injury report
Texans linebacker Blake Cashman left the game with a head injury.
Cornerback Derek Stingley needed help from the trainers twice during the fourth quarter.
What's next?
The Texans fall to 0-3-1 and go on the road to play the 2-2 Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Chargers improve to 2-2 and stay on the road to play the 2-2 Cleveland Browns.
