Chargers-Texans takeaways: Houston's stars shine; Jim Harbaugh gets full Chargers experience

Herbert threw another interception on a dropped pass intended for tight end Will Dissly.

Then, just when it appeared the Chargers had life after Herbert completed an 86-yard touchdown to rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey, disaster struck.

The Texans blocked the extra point attempt that would have cut the lead to 10, 23-13, with 10:38 remaining, and Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker inexplicably swatted at the ball, allowing Texans cornerback D'Angelo Ross to recover it and run the other way for two points and a 25-12 lead.

The Chargers picked an awful time to play their worst game. For anyone who thought Harbaugh would lift the franchise's curse, Saturday's loss instead showed he's the latest to succumb to it.

Game MVP: Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr.

The 2023 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year played a main role in Houston's phenomenal defensive effort. The Chargers gained 261 yards, 63.2 yards shy of their regular-season average, and were 3-of-11 on third downs.

Per Pro Football Focus data, Anderson tied with defensive end Danielle Hunter for Houston's most pressures (five) in the blowout win. Anderson had two sacks, with his first putting Los Angeles behind the chains on a first-and-10 in Texans territory. The Chargers settled for a field goal three plays later.

Anderson went unblocked on his fourth-quarter sack, and he wasted no time getting into the backfield and bringing Herbert down for a seven-yard loss.

Anderson also impacted another drive when he forced an incompletion on 3rd-and-9 in the first quarter, hitting Herbert's arm as he attempted to throw, resulting in an incompletion.

Houston kept Herbert uncomfortable the entire game. Per PFF data, the Texans pressured Herbert on 44.1 percent of his dropbacks. The Chargers quarterback was 2-of-11 for 96 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and four sacks on those plays.

The Texans defensive front owned the game, and Anderson was the unit's most outstanding player. The line's dominant performance recalled the front fours the Giants rode to Super Bowl wins in 2007 and 2011, giving Houston a blueprint to hoisting its first Lombardi Trophy. 

Quotable moment: 'C.J. Stroud changed'

At halftime, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans spoke with CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn and explained his team's sudden first-half turnaround.

"C.J. Stroud changed," Ryans plainly stated.

Stroud took control of the game offensively beginning with his improvised completion to Hutchinson. The 2023 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year finished 22-of-33 for 282 yards, one touchdown and one interception, and he also extended several plays with his legs. Stroud added 42 yards on six carries, including a 27-yarder, the longest of his pro career. (h/t Stathead)

Stroud was a different player after his big pass play. Houston needs that to carry over into the divisional round for it to extend its improbable playoff run.