Final2024 AFC Wild Card

Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX

Los Angeles Chargers vs Houston Texans, Wild Card 2024

Los Angeles Chargers

Away

12

Houston Texans

HomeWon, advanced

32

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Chargers600612
Texans010101232

LAC 12HOU 32 Final

  • Passing leader

    C.J. Stroud

    HOU · QB

    18.5PPR pts

    22/33, 282 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Ladd McConkey

    LAC · WR

    34.7PPR pts

    9 REC, 197 YDS, 1 TD

  • Chargers leader

    Justin Herbert

    LAC · QB

    9.7PPR pts

    14/32, 242 YDS, 1 TD, 4 INT

  • Defensive playmaker

    Eric Murray

    HOU

    1 INT, 1 TD, 7 TKL

Texans 32, Chargers 12: Houston pulls away in the 2024 Wild Card

Houston led 10–6 at halftime and outscored Los Angeles 22–6 after the break to win 32–12. The Texans finished with a 429–261 edge in total offense and averaged 6.1 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Chargers went 3-for-11 on third down and committed four turnovers, while the Texans kept the ball for 34:25.

The Texans' run ended in the Divisional Round, a 23–14 loss to the Chiefs.

The two teams meet again in Week 9 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.3 yards/play HOU 6.1 · LAC 4.8
  • +1 turnover margin HOU 3 · LAC 4 turnovers
  • +168 total yards HOU 429 · LAC 261

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Texans Won

Houston won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Chargers vs Texans
ChargersStatTexans
4.8Yards per play6.1
4Turnovers3
261Total yards429
Other team stats
54Plays70
27%Third-down conversion36%
25:35Time of possession34:25

Scoring Summary

The Texans scored four touchdowns and three field goals; the Chargers scored one touchdown and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Chargers vs Texans
TimeTeamPlayLACHOU
1st quarter
9:37LACCameron Dicker 35-yard FG Takes lead30
6:35LACCameron Dicker 39-yard FG Extends lead60
2nd quarter
0:58HOUC.J. Stroud → Nico Collins, 13-yard TD Takes leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP67
0:03HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 41-yard FG Extends lead610
3rd quarter
4:48HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 37-yard FG Extends lead613
0:13HOUEric Murray 38-yard interception return TD Extends leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP620
4th quarter
12:00HOUKa'imi Fairbairn 30-yard FG Extends lead623
10:38LACJustin Herbert → Ladd McConkey, 86-yard TDXP missed1223
10:38HOUTexans TD Extends lead1229
3:42HOUJoe Mixon 17-yard TD run Extends leadKa'imi Fairbairn XP1236

Playoff game: these points don't count in most season-long fantasy leagues.

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+11.5Nico Collins25.2 PTS vs 13.7 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−8.9John Metchie III4.8 PTS vs 13.7 xFP
  • Highest expected volume24.0 xFPLadd McConkey34.7 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Ladd McConkeyLAC · WR34.724.0+10.7—44% tgt—000%1444%
Joe MixonHOU · RB16.919.7−2.8—74% car—02574%26%
C.J. StroudHOU · QB18.518.6−0.1—33 att—33618%00%
Justin HerbertLAC · QB9.714.2−4.5—32 att—3200%00%
John Metchie IIIHOU · WR4.813.7−8.9—25% tgt—000%825%
Nico CollinsHOU · WR25.213.7+11.5—25% tgt—000%825%
Quentin JohnstonLAC · WR0.08.6−8.6—16% tgt—000%516%
Will DisslyLAC · TE3.68.6−5.0—16% tgt—000%516%
J.K. DobbinsLAC · RB2.67.6−5.0—50% car—0950%13%
Cade StoverHOU · TE6.86.9−0.1—13% tgt—000%413%
Dalton SchultzHOU · TE4.36.9−2.6—13% tgt—000%413%
DJ CharkLAC · WR2.06.9−4.9—13% tgt—000%413%
Robert WoodsHOU · WR4.26.9−2.7—13% tgt—000%413%
Gus EdwardsLAC · RB2.24.6−2.4—39% car—0739%00%
Derius DavisLAC · WR1.12.4−1.3—6% car—016%13%
Hassan HaskinsLAC · RB0.52.4−1.9—6% car—016%13%
Diontae JohnsonHOU · WR2.21.7+0.5—3% tgt—000%13%
Tucker FiskLAC · TE2.51.7+0.8—3% tgt—000%13%
Xavier HutchinsonHOU · WR4.41.7+2.7—3% tgt—000%13%
Dameon PierceHOU · RB1.51.3+0.2—6% car—026%00%
Dare OgunbowaleHOU · RB0.50.7−0.2—3% car—013%00%

Team totals: Chargers 32 targets and 18 carries; Texans 32 targets and 34 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts aren't available for this game. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2024 season: 1.71 PPR points per target (68% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Justin Herbert

LAC · QB · 9.7 pts on 14.2 expected

14 of 32 passing for 242 yards, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.2 expected.

Start/Sit: Justin Herbert →

C.J. Stroud

HOU · QB · 18.5 pts on 18.6 expected

22 of 33 passing for 282 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception; 6 carries for 42 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.6 expected.

Start/Sit: C.J. Stroud →

Ladd McConkey Ran hot

LAC · WR · 34.7 pts on 24.0 expected

14 targets (44% of the team's), 9 catches for 197 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 24.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Ladd McConkey →

Quentin Johnston Unlucky

LAC · WR · 0.0 pts on 8.6 expected

5 targets (16% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 8.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Quentin Johnston →

Joe Mixon Volume, no payoff

HOU · RB · 16.9 pts on 19.7 expected

2 targets (6% of the team's), 1 catch for 13 yards; 25 carries (74% of the team's) for 106 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 19.7 expected.

John Metchie III Unlucky

HOU · WR · 4.8 pts on 13.7 expected

8 targets (25% of the team's), 4 catches for 28 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 13.7 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Nico Collins Ran hot

HOU · WR · 25.2 pts on 13.7 expected

8 targets (25% of the team's), 7 catches for 122 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 13.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Nico Collins →

Will Dissly Unlucky

LAC · TE · 3.6 pts on 8.6 expected

5 targets (16% of the team's), 2 catches for 16 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 8.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2024 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Chargers defense and Texans defense
Points allowed toChargers DTexans D
QBs16.717.7
RBs19.218.7
WRs32.733.1
TEs10.711.2

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Houston opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% in the third quarter on the way to the win.

Texans win probability

Texans win probability by game minuteTexans started at 50%, stood at 66% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −9Dicker 35-yd FG50% → 41%Q1 9:37
  2. +27Stroud → Collins, 13-yd TD27% → 54%Q2 0:58
  3. +12Fairbairn 41-yd FG54% → 66%Q2 0:03
  4. +12Fairbairn 37-yd FG70% → 82%Q3 4:48
  5. +13Murray 38-yd pick-six85% → 98%Q3 0:13

Swing in Texans win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Chargers vs Texans
Los Angeles ChargersMeasureHouston Texans
54Plays70
67%Pass rate51%
5.9Yds / dropback7.3
2.8Yds / carry4.9
3/11Third downs5/14

Efficiency edge Houston ran 16 more plays and gained 1.4 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • LAC McConkey 44% · Johnston 16% · Dissly 16%
  • HOU Metchie 25% · Collins 25% · Stover 13%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Chargers vs Texans
ResultLACHOU
Touchdowns12
Field goals23
Punts54
Turnovers43
Turnovers on downs10

HOU turnover edge: +1

  • The Chargers opened the scoring on their first possession, a 10-play, 57-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Texans drained the clock with two second-half drives of five to seven minutes.
All 27 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
LACQ1 15:0010575:23Field goal
HOUQ1 9:37170:09Fumble
LACQ1 9:286122:53Field goal
HOUQ1 6:35331:37Punt
LACQ1 4:58422:23Punt
HOUQ1 2:355262:41Punt
LACQ2 14:545332:16Punt
HOUQ2 12:38330:59Interception
LACQ2 11:39100:08Interception
HOUQ2 11:314152:11Punt
LACQ2 9:206193:05Punt
HOUQ2 6:1513995:17Touchdown
LACQ2 0:58300:31Punt
HOUQ2 0:275450:24Field goal
LACQ2 0:03000:03End of half
HOUQ3 15:004442:10Fumble
LACQ3 12:505402:40Downs
HOUQ3 10:1010465:22Field goal
LACQ3 4:483-22:15Punt
HOUQ3 2:33372:12Punt
LACQ3 0:21100:08Interception
LACQ3 0:134311:29Interception
HOUQ4 13:44411:44Field goal
LACQ4 12:003701:22Touchdown
HOUQ4 10:3814746:56Touchdown
LACQ4 3:425140:59Interception
HOUQ4 2:434132:43End of game
About these numbers

The Texans' interception touchdown is counted as a Chargers interception, not as a Texans possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Chargers vs Texans Head-to-Head

The Chargers and Texans first met in 2002 and have played 11 times since.

All-time series
6–5Chargers lead, 11 meetings since 2002
Postseason
1–0Texans won in 2024
Largest Chargers win
35–102007
Largest Texans win
32–122024

Since 2021

3–1 Texans lead

4 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. T = Texans win, C = Chargers win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 9 Texans at Chargers Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2024 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Chargers vs Texans
ChargersStatTexans
11-6Record10-7
23.6Points per game21.9
324.2Yards per game319.7
5.4Yards per play5.1
17.7Points allowed per game21.9
324.4Yards allowed per game315.0

Chargers vs Texans Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 9 in Los Angeles. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2024 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Chargers vs Texans Game FAQ

Who won the 2024 Chargers vs Texans Wild Card game?

The Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 32–12 in the Wild Card round of the 2024 playoffs. The game was played at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, on January 11, 2025. See the Texans' 2024 schedule.

What was the final score of Chargers vs Texans?

The final score was Texans 32, Chargers 12. The Texans led 10–6 at halftime, and the second half went Chargers 6, Texans 22.

What happened in the Chargers vs Texans game?

Houston led 10–6 at halftime and outscored Los Angeles 22–6 after the break to win 32–12. The Texans finished with a 429–261 edge in total offense and averaged 6.1 yards per play. The Chargers committed 4 turnovers, the Texans 3.

How did the Texans beat the Chargers?

The Texans beat the Chargers 32–12 because they averaged 6.1 yards per play to 4.8, won the turnover battle 4–3, and outgained them 429–261.

Which team won the turnover battle in Chargers vs Texans?

The Texans won the turnover battle 4–3: the Chargers gave the ball away 4 times and the Texans 3 times. The Texans won the game.

What is the all-time Chargers vs Texans record?

The Chargers lead the all-time series 6–5 across 11 meetings since 2002, including a 0–1 record in the postseason.

When did the Chargers and Texans last play before this game?

Before the 2024 Wild Card round, they last met in the 2022 season on October 2, 2022, when the Chargers beat the Texans 34–24.

Have the Chargers and Texans met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 2024 playoffs. The Chargers are 0–1 against the Texans in the postseason.

What is the Chargers vs Texans record since 2021?

The Texans lead 3–1 across 4 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.