Los Angeles’ J.K. Scott had a 55-yard punt downed at the Houston 1-yard line with 6:15 left in the first half of an NFL playoff game on Saturday. The Chargers had a six-point lead and had shut out the Texans on three first downs to that point.
But Los Angeles wasted the field position when Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud picked up a bad snap and on a dead run hit wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson for a 34-yard gain to the Chargers 49 on third-and-16. Two snaps later, Stroud connected with wide receiver Nico Collins for a 37-yard gain, then hit the former Clay-Chalkville High School star again for a 13-yard touchdown pass to send the Texans on their way to a 32-12 AFC first-round victory.
A Pro Bowl selection this season, Collins had seven receptions for 122 yards on Saturday. In three career playoff games, Collins has 18 receptions for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
During the regular season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was intercepted three times in 504 passes. On Saturday, the Texans intercepted four of Herbert’s 32 passes, including one returned 38 yards for a touchdown by cornerback Eric Murray as Houston took a 20-6 lead with 13 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Texans’ first interception was made at the Houston 10-yard line in the second quarter by cornerback Kamari Lassiter, a rookie from American Christian School in Tuscaloosa. Lassiter had three interceptions during the regular season before becoming the first Houston rookie with a postseason pick since J.J. Watt in 2011.
Lassiter made two tackles, recorded one tackle for loss and broke up another pass in his postseason debut.
Stroud completed 22-of-33 passes for 282 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Houston running back Joe Mixon ran for 106 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries, with 91 yards coming in the second half.
Herbert completed 14-of-32 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions.
Ten other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the Los Angeles-Houston game:
Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) started at defensive end for the Texans. Anderson made three tackles, recorded 1.5 sacks, registered three quarterback hits and broke up twop passes.
Texans cornerback Anthony Averett (Alabama) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama) started at center for the Chargers.
Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (Alabama A&M) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Chargers defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe (Alabama) was designated as a game-day inactive.
Christian Harris (Alabama) started at linebacker for the Texans. Harris made one tackle.
Chargers long snapper Josh Harris (Auburn) handled the snaps for five punts, two field goals and one extra-point attempt. Harris downed Los Angeles’ first punt.
Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State) started at left guard for the Texans.
Chargers safety Eddie Jackson (Alabama) made one tackle. Los Angeles elevated Jackson from its practice squad to make him eligible to play.
John Metchie III (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Texans. Metchie had four receptions for 28 yards.
Charger punter JK Scott (Alabama) averaged 44.2 yards on five punts, with a 42.2-yard net. Scott had a 35-yard punt downed at the Houston 28-yard line, a 47-yard punt to a fair catch at the Houston 12, a 55-yard punt downed at the Houston 1, a 48-yard punt returned 10 yards to the Houston 32 and a 36-yard punt to a fair catch at the Houston 37. Scott’s first punt was blocked but still went 35 yards.
Texans tight end Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Henry To’oTo’o (Alabama) started at linebacker for the Texans. To’oTo’o made six tackles.
Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (Troy) was designated as a game-day inactive.
Texans safety Jimmie Ward (Davidson) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.
Texans offensive tackle Kilian Zierer (Auburn) is on the practice squad and not eligible to play.
Houston’s opponent for the Divisional Round will be determined by the results of the other two AFC first-round games.
The Texans had a 10-7 regular-season record. Los Angeles entered the playoffs with an 11-6 mark.
