What started as an explosion has ended final finishing On Saturday, as the Houston Texans held off Chargers With win 20-16 at the Sofi Stadium.
The result rippled through the AFC, with the Denver Broncos winning the AFC West and the Indianapolis Colts being eliminated from playoff contention. The Broncos are the first team other than Kansas City to win the division in a decade.
The Chargers (11-5), who have won four straight, made some uncharacteristic mistakes and missed scoring chances.
Justin Herbertwho otherwise played a stunning and fearless game, was intercepted a yard short of the end zone in the first half.
Cameron Dicker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, missed within 40 yards for the first time in his career and converted an extra point attempt in the fourth quarter, only the fourth missed PAT of his career.
Chargers cornerback Justin Herbert hit Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in the second half Saturday. Stingley was injured during the game.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Herbert completed 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Houston C.J. Stroud completed 16 of 28 for 244 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Texans (11-5), off to an 0-3 start this season, entered Saturday's game on a seven-game winning streak.
Last season they hosted the Chargers in the first round of the playoffs and collected victory with a score of 32-12intercepting Herbert four times.
On Saturday, Herbert kept the Chargers in the game, absorbing hits from all angles but still throwing a one-yard pass. Oronda Gadsden II late in the third quarter and set up another touchdown, a five-yard run by the rookie Omarion Hamptonwith 3:37 left in the fourth.
Chargers running back Omarion Hampton was hit by Houston Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o in the second half Saturday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Dicker missed the extra point on the final touchdown, meaning the Chargers were unable to tie the game with a field goal and needed a touchdown.
Late in the first half, Dicker missed a 32-yard field goal, and as strange as it was, it illustrated what kind of start it was for the Chargers.
They were flat and caught off guard from the start, throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass on Houston's first possession and a 43-yard touchdown pass on their second.
The Texans led 14-0 before the Chargers lost for the first time.
Herbert was sent off three times in the inning, and the first time he appeared to injure his surgically repaired left arm. At least he winced and favored that hand as he walked off the field, but that didn't put him aside.
Despite the two-touchdown lead, the Texans didn't run away with the game.
Chargers fans react after the team's 20-16 loss to the Houston Texans at Sophie Stadium on Saturday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)
Derwin James Jr. intercepted the ball early in the second quarter and set up the Chargers' field goal.
The Chargers kicked a field goal and were in position for a touchdown in the second quarter when Herbert connected with Quentin Johnston for a 60-yard gain.
However, on the next play, Herbert tried to hit Gadsden up the middle. The pass was not timed and came off the hands of the rookie, who was close to the goal line. Houston midfielder Aziz Al-Shaair intercepted the ball.
A few minutes later, the Chargers had another great scoring opportunity. Elijah Molden threw an interception at the Houston 32 and his team reached the red zone before Dicker's fumble.
