Houston defense stands out in win over Chargers

(AFP) The Houston Texans kicked off the NFL playoffs on Saturday at NRG Stadium in Houston, securing a 32-12 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Players Eric Murray, Derek Stingley (2), and Kamari Lassiter each recorded interceptions that led to points for the home team.

Murray, 31, intercepted a pass from the Chargers' Justin Herbert late in the third quarter and returned in 38 yards for his first career touchdown.

Herbert had a rough performance, completing just 14 of his 32 passes. His highlight came with an 86-yard touchdown catch from Ladd McConkey, who ended up with more interceptions in this game than he had throughout the entire regular season.

The Los Angeles squad, which missed the playoffs in 2023, finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. They were eliminated in the Wild Card round, mirroring their exit in 2022 during their last postseason appearance.

His counterpart, C.J. Stroud, made very few mistakes, and that proved enough for the win, capped off by a 282-yard touchdown.

Stroud, 23, making his second consecutive playoff appearance, also rushed for 42 yards. 

Joe Mixon had a standout performance, rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries, marking his second career 100-plus yard game in the playoffs.

The Texans trailed by six points early in the first quarter but responded with 23 unanswered points to secure the victory.

Houston is on the same path as the 2023-24 season, finishing the regular season with a 10-7 record and winning their Wild Card game.

In Saturday's final game, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-14, thanks to a standout performance by running back Derrick Henry, who rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns.

Henry's 186 yards mark his second-best performance in the NFL playoffs, surpassed only by his 195 yards on January 11, 2020, when he played for the Tennessee Titans against the Ravens.

Lamar Jackson threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, both coming in a first half that ended 21-0 in favor of Baltimore.

The Steelers bid farewell to the postseason, falling in the Wild Card round for the second consecutive season.