The Chargers had command of the game in the first half but they let it slip away.
The Texans found life late in the second quarter on a third-and-16. Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud dropped the shotgun snap. He recovered, escaped pressure to his right and connected with receiver Xavier Hutchinson on an explosive play. The Chargers then lost Nico Collins on two plays. Collins scored from 13 yards out to give the Texans the lead, capping off a 99-yard touchdown drive.
Offensively, the Chargers are losing the battle against the Texans front, including edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. On the final drive of the first half, Justin Herbert — who threw an ill-advised pick in the first half — was pressured on all three plays. The Chargers went three-and-out. Los Angeles has to find a way to mitigate this Texans pass rush, or they have no shot of moving the ball, let alone scoring points.
The defense has played well. The Chargers are creating consistent pressure on Stroud. But the Chargers offense is struggling. Stroud is getting too many opportunities with the ball. And his playmaking took over late in the first half.
