INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — C.J. Stroud threw two long touchdown passes on Houston’s first two possessions and the Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 20-16 on Saturday to advance to their third straight playoff berth for the first time in franchise history.
The Texans (11-5) have won eight straight, their longest streak since a nine-game winning streak in 2018.
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The Chargers (11-5) snapped a four-game winning streak and surrendered the AFC West title to the idle Denver Nuggets. They defeated the top-ranked Broncos in Week 3, but missed a chance at a winner-take-all showdown in Denver in Week 18.
The Chargers were eliminated from the playoffs last season with a wild-card loss to Houston.
Stroud’s two explosive touchdowns stunned the Chargers and gave the Rockets a 14-0 lead. On the first pass of the game, he broke through the defense and hit Jayden Higgins for a 75-yard score. There was no pressure on Stroud when he threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to an uncovered Jaylin Noel.
The Chargers have allowed just one touchdown pass of 40 yards or more in their last 15 games.
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Stroud pitched the first six pitches of the game. He was 16-of-28 for 244 yards and two interceptions.
Houston’s defense forced Justin Herbert’s third sack on the Chargers’ first two possessions. They went out with three wins from three of their first four games, silencing the SoFi Stadium crowd.
Herbert, who played his third game with an injured left (non-throwing) hand, went 21-for-32 for 236 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was fired five times.
Ravens 41, Packers 24
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Derrick Henry rushed for a season-high 216 yards and tied a career high with four touchdowns and Baltimore kept its playoff hopes alive with a win over Green Bay.
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Henry scored three touchdowns in the first half and scored again on a 25-yard rush with 1:56 left in the game. His seventh career 200-yard rushing performance puts him ahead of Adrian Peterson and OJ Simpson for the most in NFL history.
His 36 rushes set a career high.
The Ravens (8-8) now have to hope the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers lose to Cleveland on Sunday. A Steelers victory in Cleveland would end Baltimore’s playoff hopes. If the Browns win that game, the Ravens can clinch the AFC North title by defeating the Steelers on Jan. 4 in Pittsburgh.
Green Bay (9-6-1) lost three straight games to help the Chicago Bears capture the NFC North title. The Packers have clinched a playoff spot after the Detroit Lions lost 23-10 to Minnesota on Thursday.
