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00:00Welcome to sunny Southern California for a big time Saturday showdown between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Chargers.
00:11It's been raining here for the last few days, but not anymore.
00:14It is about to be on and cracking between the Los Angeles Chargers, winners of four in a row.
00:21Justin Herbert just named his second Pro Bowl, taking on the Houston Texans, winners of seven in a row, including the last four with C.J. Sprout being on point, returning from injury.
00:32A big time contest live on NFL Network.
00:42And welcome inside SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Chargers.
00:47Los Angeles Chargers, big time implications for the playoffs in this week's 17 Saturday kickoff.
00:53The Houston Texans win.
00:54They clinch the final wildcard spot in the AFC and keep their title hopes alive for the AFC South and eliminate the Indianapolis Colts from playoff contention.
01:04While the Los Angeles Chargers, with a win today, sets up an AFC West championship game next week at Denver.
01:10The Chargers have already clinched a playoff spot and do have an outside shot at the one seed.
01:15Rich Eisen, pleased to be joined in the booth by my Hall of Fame friend, Kurt Warner.
01:19Good to see you, Kurt.
01:20Good to see you, buddy.
01:21How hot is Justin Herbert these days, sir?
01:23Man, he has been playing great, and he's accomplished everything you could possibly ask in the regular season.
01:28The one thing that's eluded him has been playoff success.
01:30A year ago against this Texans team, a career-high four interceptions.
01:35He went back and watched that game and said, I had to embrace the failure, and he is determined not to let that happen again today.
01:41Well, unfortunately for him, and fortunately for the Texans, most of that defense that made his nightmare a reality last year is in this building today, and they have been ferocious week in and week out.
01:52Yeah, there is talent all over the board.
01:54And talking to D'Amico Ryans about building a great defense, he says it starts up front.
01:58That's the reason they went out to get Daniil Hunter and draft Will Anderson.
02:02So, if the Chargers are going to change their fate from that wild card game, it's going to start by finding a way to protect Justin Herbert from the two guys up front.
02:09Jamie Erdahl is with the Houston Texans, but starting off down on the field, Megan O'Levy with the Chargers.
02:16Megan?
02:18Is currently the third most sacked quarterback in the NFL, which begs the question, how will this injury-riddled Chargers O-line stop the force that is this Texas defense?
02:28It's because yet another man is down the left tackle, Jamari Salyer, is out.
02:33The backup right guard and right tackle, Bobby Hart, will move on over to that left tackle slot, but it will be his first snap from the position since 2022 with the Bills.
02:43All that said, the Chargers have a very tough task ahead of them, stopping the likes of Daniil Hunter and Will Anderson, Jamie.
02:51Megan, you're right.
02:52The numbers imply it, but Will Anderson Jr. believes it.
02:54This is the best defense he has ever been on.
02:57We often hear from players, one play at a time, one game at a time, but these Texans acknowledge what the next six weeks could look like for them.
03:04Their head coach, D'Amico Ryans, is calling today a playoff game.
03:08Will Anderson Jr. told us that he realizes in his rookie season how close this team was to moving on closer to a Super Bowl.
03:14D'Amico Ryans knows that building, that Super Bowl 60 is being played in all too often.
03:19It is a win-and-in game for the Texans today.
03:22Rich Eisen.
03:22Megan, Jamie Erdahl, thanks very much.
03:25The Chargers have won the toss, elected to defer, so the Houston Texans will kick off.
03:33Traymond Smith and the rest of that special teams unit of the Houston Texans is out there.
03:45And he is going to receive that kick on a bounce.
03:52Traymond Smith taken down right away.
03:55Great special teams play on the spot by Dean Leonard.
04:00Here comes C.J. Stroud out, and he has won every single game since coming back from a concussion.
04:06And the best thing that he's done is protect the football.
04:09One interception in his first game back, the last three, zero interceptions.
04:13He knows to go along with this defense.
04:15You protect the football, you're going to have a chance to win every time out.
04:18And here he is starting from his own 16.
04:20Woody Marks, who missed last week's win over the Raiders, is back.
04:25And he's in the backfield as the lone running back.
04:28First play of this Saturday in Los Angeles.
04:32There's a handoff to Marks.
04:34It's a nice move.
04:36Woody Marks with a nice drive starter there.
04:39Dante Jackson on the tackle.
04:42So here's the offensive line in front of C.J. Stroud.
04:49There's Jared Kingston getting the start.
04:52That left tackle today.
04:54And Nico Collins coming into this game fresh off of being named to his second Pro Bowl of his career.
05:00Dalton Schultz.
05:02That tight end, along with Christian Kirk and Jaden Higgins.
05:06That receiver.
05:07Second and five.
05:15It's Marks again.
05:17Taking it close to the first down.
05:19He's about a yard and a half shy.
05:22The Chargers defense trying to stand tall here on this third down.
05:29There you're tart.
05:30And Deshaun Hand up front with Khalil Mack in the mix.
05:35No Denzel Perryman.
05:36He's been suspended for the rest of the season due to playing rules violations.
05:42Tui Pelotu having a career year being selected to the Pro Bowl.
05:46Derwin James, an All-Pro, next to Tony Jefferson in his 11th year out of Oklahoma, having a terrific season.
05:53It's third and short.
05:58Stroud trying to get it through the air.
06:00He goes deep for Higgins.
06:02Caught.
06:04Higgins.
06:05Touchdown, Texans, 75 yards.
06:10What a play, Kurt Warner.
06:14Up top to start it.
06:16And the one thing with the Texans coming in, they knew they were going to be able to pick some opportunities to get down the field.
06:22This Chargers defense is really good at taking away the big play.
06:25But they say, hey, third and short.
06:26We'll get those guys kind of squeezed in the line of scrimmage.
06:29A big play over the top for the touchdown.
06:33And nobody throws a better deep ball.
06:35He even told us that's his best asset is the accuracy down the field by C.J. Stroud.
06:40Kaimi Fairbairn for the extra point.
06:50And the Texans come out strong, to say the least.
06:55But up top on third and short, going deep for Higgins, 75 yards.
07:01And the Texans strike first, smelling the playoffs here in Los Angeles.
07:06All right, welcome back to SoFi, where the Texans struck fast.
07:10Eyes right here on Elijah Molden playing a quarters coverage.
07:14We're going to have Nico Collins that runs in front of him.
07:16He's going to grab him on the quick over route, leaving a one-on-one post to the outside.
07:22C.J. Stroud goes up over the top to Higgins.
07:25For the easy touchdown to start this one off.
07:28Three plays, 84 yards.
07:30For the team that's coming into this contest.
07:34Had 32 three and outs.
07:36That's the most in the NFL since week seven.
07:39But they went three plays for a touchdown.
07:42And just a buck 40.
07:44Largest, longest touchdown pass of C.J. Stroud's career.
07:48So, it's time for the Chargers to try and respond.
07:53And they'll do so after the touchback.
07:57Justin Herbert coming off of yet another terrific game in Dallas.
08:01Kurt?
08:01Yeah, we had a 30-minute call with Jim Harbaugh.
08:05And I think 25 minutes were spent with superlatives about how much he loves Justin Herbert.
08:10And the biggest thing that comes out of it is his toughness.
08:13We know that he's playing with that broken left hand.
08:15Hasn't seemed to slow him down at all.
08:17It's gotten better and better these last three games after suffering the injury.
08:21But his toughness with the issues in the offensive line is going to be big today.
08:27Starting from his own 35.
08:31Herbert hands this one off to his rookie, Omarion Hampton.
08:36Gains a couple of yards.
08:38This offensive line has been an absolute injury-marred hot mess all year long.
08:43Rashawn Slater didn't even play a snap.
08:46And then, of course, we all know Joe Ault.
08:49Moved over to left tackle.
08:50They're banged up.
08:51Bobby Hart is the latest left tackle.
08:53He hasn't taken a snap at that position in three years.
08:57The receiving core has been terrific.
08:59Along with the two rookies, Gadsden and Hampton.
09:03Second and eight for the Chargers.
09:06Herbert fakes the throw and hands it off to his rookie.
09:10Who truck sticks his way to the 40-yard line.
09:13This Texans defense has been a nightmare for absolutely anybody
09:17who plays quarterback in the National Football League.
09:20Will Anderson and Daniil Hunter accounting for 24 and a half sacks together.
09:25Aziz Alshire is back from missing last week.
09:28The Walter Pate Man of the Year candidate from the Texans in front of a secondary
09:32that features a pro bowler and the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week
09:37and Derek Stingley Jr. who got two of the four interceptions of Herbert in last year's playoff win.
09:43Third and five.
09:44Herbert surveying and can't get out of the grip of Hunter.
09:50So it's the Chargers who suffer the sack in a three and out.
09:54And Hunter bags himself Herbert on just the third snap of the game.
09:59Kurt, you're going to see Daniil Hunter right over here.
10:01And this is going to be something to watch for.
10:03A nice little outside in move.
10:05No chance for Justin Herbert to get the football out of his hands.
10:09And right away, they're concerned about trying to keep Herbert protected.
10:15Comes home to roost.
10:17And the Texans' defense does its job.
10:21Jalen Knoll is back to receive this punt from J.K. Scott.
10:27Sends it away.
10:30Knoll did not signal for a fair catch.
10:34And the ball goes off him.
10:36I guess it's only fitting that a guy named Knoll gets lit up on a Christmas weekend.
10:41Kurt, huh?
10:42Do you see what I'm doing here?
10:44Yes, Merry Christmas to everybody.
10:45Do you see what I'm doing here?
10:48Texans up seven.
10:49Trying to add points when we come back.
10:53Something to keep an eye on, Kurt Warner.
10:55The Hunter sack left Justin Herbert not only wincing,
10:59but using his right hand to try and undo his chin strap.
11:06And that left hand looks like it's hanging there a little bit, Huckery.
11:08Yeah, that left arm is hanging down there.
11:11Obviously a huge concern with the issues at the offensive line.
11:14He told us in our meetings that he was feeling better.
11:16Didn't really think it was going to be an issue moving forward.
11:19But doesn't look good right there.
11:21Second Texans possession.
11:23After scoring a touchdown on their first.
11:26Stroud thrown again over the middle.
11:27Nice grab by Higgins again.
11:30So, Stroud and the rookie, two for two right now.
11:34CJ Stroud so good on these timing routes.
11:36A little play action.
11:37Watch him hit his back foot.
11:39Hold on that back foot.
11:41Little skinny post.
11:42Quick in route to the back side.
11:43Higgins going down.
11:44Another big catch.
11:46Those guys to sell out on the run.
11:48Easy pitch and catch over the top.
11:50Touchdown with his first grab.
11:51First down with his second.
11:54Not even five minutes into this game.
11:57One more.
12:00One more.
12:01One more.
12:01From their own 40.
12:02It's a handoff to Marks.
12:04He's got very far.
12:08Now he tries to get some more yards.
12:10So, there you go.
12:11Not very far.
12:12And then he got far.
12:13Passed to the 46-yard line now.
12:15So, Davis Mills was the one who started the win streak with three wins.
12:20And Stroud's taken it by there.
12:22And one score contest galore.
12:25And it really all started with a comeback win down 19 against the Jaguars.
12:30Staring a season sweep at the hands of Jacksonville right in the face.
12:33The Texans came back and they have yet to lose.
12:37So, here we are now.
12:38Second and five after that nice, large game.
12:42Play fake.
12:44That one is completed.
12:46For a first down and more to Xavier Hutchinson.
12:49There on the plus side of the field, Kurt.
12:51What a great start here for the Texans offense.
12:54Hadn't been generating a lot of big plays to get the big play touchdown.
12:57Naked bootleg right here.
13:00Easy little hit out into the flat for another first down.
13:02Really have this Chargers defense off balance early in this one.
13:07Play fake and going up top.
13:09Running the football effectively so far.
13:14From the Chargers, 43.
13:17Nick Chubb now in the game.
13:22Fake to him.
13:24Stroud over the middle.
13:26And he's got another open receiver for a touchdown.
13:29It's Noah on Christmas.
13:3343 yards.
13:36The Texans have come out on fire.
13:40Wow, one of the best teams in the league in terms of the Chargers defense
13:44at not giving up big plays.
13:46Second in the NFL.
13:47But here, they have another one.
13:49Starts with the protection.
13:50Got to have time.
13:52That come across.
13:53Great pocket there for CJ Stroud.
13:55Gets the safety to hold on the backside.
13:57And up over the top.
13:59To that other Iowa State guy for another touchdown.
14:05Says the guy who went to the Northern Iowa.
14:07Well, them Iowa ties.
14:10Fairbairn.
14:11Makes it a 14-0 Texans lead with nine and change to go in the first quarter.
14:19The vertical game of the Houston Texans made it all the way to the West Coast.
14:28Kurt Warner, you have far more experience quarterbacking than I do.
14:38The CJ Stroud stat line.
14:41A four for four for 142 yards and two touchdowns.
14:44Is that any good?
14:45I don't think you have to be a quarterback.
14:47Okay.
14:47To understand.
14:48And two big plays.
14:49As I said, the Chargers defense.
14:51So good at stopping the big plays.
14:53They were going to pick their moments.
14:54Man, they picked it twice here in the first six minutes.
14:58Two for two.
14:59Two touchdowns.
15:00And a big hole for the Chargers.
15:02I guess if you didn't go to Iowa State, you're not going to get a touchdown so far for the Texans.
15:08But we'll see what happens now.
15:10The Chargers needing to get something going.
15:14Which is something you rarely say just five minutes into a ball game.
15:17But Herbert getting sacked moments ago.
15:19We'll have to keep an eye on that surgically repaired broken left hand.
15:23For sure.
15:23And you couldn't have started any worse for this Chargers offense.
15:27Is that we understand how good this Texans defense is.
15:30They only give up 16 points a game.
15:33And so you're already down 14.
15:34You don't want to get away from the plan that you had coming in to run the football and control the clock.
15:40But it's easy to start to panic when you fall down two touchdowns early in a game.
15:44From just outside their own 25.
15:48Here's Hampton.
15:49Almost got through the gate.
15:51But Al Shire was there to take him down at the 30-yard line.
15:55They're so excited to have Amarian Hampton back and healthy.
16:00He's been kind of in and out of the lineup all year long with some of the injuries.
16:04You saw some of that explosiveness a week ago.
16:07Making some big plays.
16:08And they can't wait to get him into some rhythm in this offense.
16:12Because they believe he's going to be a game changer for them.
16:14A game of four there.
16:15Could have been a little bit more, obviously.
16:17But again, Al Shire, everybody that we spoke to involved with this defense, calls him the leader.
16:24And he's back after missing last week.
16:26Another handoff for Hampton.
16:28And we get out of Hunter's grasp.
16:31And it's going to be another third down.
16:32This is a big third down right now.
16:34It is.
16:35And you see them running the football.
16:37Staying to their plan coming in.
16:39They really felt coming into the season, they had Alt and Slater at those tackle positions,
16:44that they could be a big play offense.
16:45But with those injuries up front and the shuffling they've had to do,
16:48they've had to change their philosophy.
16:51More big guys in there.
16:52You see Matlock in there as the fullback running the football
16:55and trying to win the first and second down so they can stay in those third
16:59and short or manageable situations where they don't have to protect for long up front.
17:03Keenan Allen at the top of your screen leads the league in third down receptions.
17:08They could sure use one here.
17:10They're going to flip that one, though, to Trey Harris.
17:14And there's the much-needed first down to the 41-yard line.
17:20Trey Harris has started to play a little bigger role, too, as a rookie-wide receiver.
17:24You see him starting to the right-hand side.
17:25Man-to-man coverage.
17:26He's going to wrap underneath the offensive line.
17:29Tough for Petrie to get through all those bodies.
17:31Makes it an easy pitch and catch to move the chains.
17:35So, that, again, would have been troubling, to say the least, for the Chargers
17:41if they gave the ball right back to the Texans.
17:43Hey, no, no, no, no!
17:44The clock rolls towards seven minutes to go in this opening quarter.
17:47Sonny, sonny, sonny, sonny!
17:48Chargers run it again.
17:51Hampton tries to find some room, and he pushes his way to the 46-yard line
17:57as Harbaugh is clapping on the sideline for that extra yardage.
18:03So, again, Rashawn Slater blows out his knee in training camp,
18:06and then Joel spends a couple of times on the shelf with an ankle injury.
18:12This one, for the rest of the season, his last one.
18:14And Justin Herbert has been battered but not taken out.
18:20Although Jaguar fans sitting at home saying that we kind of did.
18:23That's the last time the Chargers lost is when the Jaguars battered them four games ago.
18:29And Hampton, speaking of getting smoked, right there,
18:33just runs into a whole host of Texans led by Henry To'o Toe,
18:38bringing up another third down.
18:40They are so fast on defense.
18:43See, right here, he's coming up from that wheel linebacker position.
18:50Gaston misses him right there as he hits the hole,
18:53but there is so much speed at every level for this defense.
18:57It is tough, hard to be able to make up for it when you make little mistakes like that.
19:02You've got to get a man hat on a hat if you're going to have success.
19:06Third and five from the 45.
19:11Herbert surveying.
19:12And runs out of time again.
19:16And there's Will Anderson getting in on the act.
19:18So Hunter's got one, and Anderson's got one,
19:23and both of them have ended Chargers' drives here in the first quarter.
19:26Yeah, and quick pressure up front, but just as much coverage on the back end.
19:31He's trying to get Keenan Allen over here to the right-hand side on a choice route.
19:35He's covered up.
19:36He's got to hold the football.
19:37Nobody opened down the field.
19:39Tough to get to your third and fourth read.
19:41With those guys coming at you,
19:43they've got some unbelievable bookends.
19:45You've got to get the ball out quickly.
19:47And Sheldon Rankins was the first to arrive there.
19:50So another punt.
19:53Nolan already has a touchdown reception.
19:57Takes that one past the 20-yard line.
20:00And we go to break with the Texans.
20:03Two touchdowns and two sacks in.
20:05That's how you win seven in a row in Houston.
20:08And they're on 14-0 midway through the first.
20:11Well, ever since the late first half of the wild-card weekend,
20:23it's been an all-Texans washout of the Los Angeles Chargers.
20:28Joe Mixon, who hasn't played it down all year,
20:31had a heck of a day on the ground, and the defense did the rest.
20:34A 20-point win over the Chargers.
20:36And the young man on the right has got to be sitting here thinking,
20:40what's happening here today?
20:43No question about it.
20:44After going back and watching that film from last week,
20:48I'm sure there were a few nightmares coming into this one.
20:51Felt like they could change it,
20:52but it's going to be key for them to be able to create some big plays,
20:55which isn't easy against this Texans defense.
20:57Crowd, a quick throw to Noel.
21:00Takes it out to the 25-yard line.
21:01Jamie Urnall, take it away.
21:02Rich, you know we caught up with Nick Caley,
21:05the first-year offensive coordinator for the Texans this week.
21:07We asked him, what comes so easily?
21:08Just C.J. Stroud.
21:09He actually made a callback to a quarterback he spent time around with the Rams
21:13and Matthew Stafford with just the flick of the wrist,
21:15how easily the ball comes out of the hands.
21:18And, Kurt, I know you'll appreciate this.
21:19The two rookies that caught the touchdown passes so far,
21:22they waited patiently at the bench spot that C.J. comes to
21:25to hug him for the accuracy on the deep ball.
21:28Makes sense.
21:28You should hug your deep-throwing quarterback
21:31when you hit the end zone.
21:34Stroud hands this one off.
21:37That was Jawar Jordan,
21:39and the Chargers defensive pause forced a third down.
21:42Stroud, last two third downs,
21:45said, I'm just going to play fake,
21:46go up top and score touchdowns.
21:48Kurt, he's the first player with two passing touchdowns
21:51of 40 or more yards in the first quarter of a game
21:54since Patrick Mahomes did it in week 12 of 2020 at Tampa.
22:02So we haven't seen what Stroud's opened this game with in five years.
22:07Third and four.
22:08Play clock under five.
22:18Stroud, mid-time, flips it out.
22:21And it looks like Kirk did, in fact, get the first down.
22:27So they moved the chains.
22:28Christian Kirk so good in his third down situations,
22:32finding space, motion him down,
22:34a little combo coverage from the inside out.
22:37Just a little break to the outside, pass the sticks,
22:39another good throw by C.J. Stroud.
22:42They continue to have success through the air early in this one.
22:46From just inside their own 32.
22:52Fresh set of downs.
22:53That's also pretty darn good.
22:5516.7 yards per play.
22:58This one only goes for a couple, though.
23:00But Chubb carries it.
23:03We're under three minutes here in this first quarter.
23:07If you're just joining us here on this Saturday of Christmas weekend,
23:13doubleheader here in the National Football League.
23:16The Texans struck first and then struck again.
23:19Two deep throw touchdowns from Stroud
23:23wrapped around two third-down sacks of Justin Herbert
23:26by Daniil Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr.
23:29Makes it 14-0.
23:33Stroud.
23:36Incomplete.
23:37A misconnection with Higgins there brings up third long.
23:41One of the things C.J. was talking about
23:42is how young they are on the outside.
23:45We've seen both young guys catch touchdowns today,
23:47but some of these communication things within this new offense
23:51right there, I believe, C.J. felt Higgins was going to break out,
23:55run what we call a semi-route, a 12-yard out.
23:57He got tight coverage.
23:59He decided to turn it into a go-route,
24:01leading to that miscommunication,
24:03and now a third and long.
24:04Very rare to say defense has got to get off the field
24:07on the third and long in the first quarter,
24:09but this feels like it suffices.
24:12Stroud fakes again and throws it away.
24:22And it did get past the line of scrimmage,
24:24and they're pointing to a receiver in the area.
24:26He certainly wasn't out of the tackle box,
24:28and it's a fourth down.
24:30One of the things that the Texans have struggled with
24:32is pressure.
24:33You see all the guys walked up at the line of scrimmage.
24:35Who do we go to?
24:36Where do we protect?
24:38Leave the in-man on the scrimmage wide open.
24:40No chance for him to get the quick throw out
24:42as Derwin James is sitting out there
24:43and just has to throw it away as he's going,
24:45hey, guys, we have got to communicate better
24:47and pick that up.
24:48It was only a four-man rush.
24:50Taffee Owe left unmarked.
24:52Came right in to bring out this first punt of the game
24:55for the Texans.
24:57Brad McConkie.
25:00Makes the grab.
25:01Slips.
25:02Tries to get outside,
25:04but he can't make it to his 20-yard line.
25:08Nice play by EJ Speed.
25:10Prevent a big return.
25:12Let's see what the Chargers could do down 14
25:14when we come back.
25:19Looking at the next-gen stats powered by AWS.
25:23I guess any gen with these two guys
25:26would dominate in it.
25:26Wouldn't you say, Gary?
25:27Yeah, I mean, these two guys,
25:29the book ends right there.
25:30Will Anderson, obviously a Pro Bowl.
25:32Hard to believe that the Neil Hunter with 13 sacks
25:34doesn't get into the Pro Bowl,
25:36but some pretty good pass rushers in the AFC.
25:38You know what I mean?
25:39Yes, indeed, sir.
25:41So there they are.
25:44Again, Will Anderson just made his second Pro Bowl.
25:47Daniil Hunter, 13 sacks coming in.
25:51His first one got...
25:53He charges off the field, three and out.
25:57And they sandwich two deep throws around it
25:59for touchdowns.
26:01Play fake.
26:02Herbert flips it out to Hampton.
26:06Petrie is the one who takes him down.
26:08Hampton trying to get around him.
26:10Nice gain on first down.
26:12Yeah, they run on the football,
26:14come out with the play fake.
26:15I like the play call,
26:15but again, great coverage on the back end.
26:19Nowhere for Justin Herbert to go,
26:20even though it was good protection that time around.
26:22Just had to flip it out to his back.
26:25Nice little first down game, though.
26:28Brings up second and five.
26:3190 ticks to go in this first quarter.
26:32Again, the Texans win.
26:35They're in the playoffs.
26:37Chargers need to win the division next week.
26:40Hampton doesn't go anywhere.
26:42And there's Al Shire making the play
26:45to bring up another third down here for the Chargers.
26:49The thing about this defense,
26:51when you talk about great defenses,
26:52it's the ability to have guys that can make plays
26:55at every single level.
26:57They've got the guys up front that we talk about.
26:59They've got Al Shire at the linebacker position.
27:04Stingley on the back end.
27:05Petrie.
27:06I mean, they have got guys.
27:08Bullock all over the place on this defense
27:10and can win and beat you with speed
27:12at every single level.
27:14Tommy Togiai also on that tackle.
27:16Third and four.
27:19Pitchell.
27:20And Keenan Allen can't grab it.
27:23A drop on third down by their third down,
27:27and Mr. Reliable brings up another punt.
27:30Really good route right here.
27:31Gives the outside move on Petrie.
27:34Crosses him over.
27:36But these are the kind of mistakes
27:37that you can't make against this defense.
27:40When you get the opportunities,
27:42got to make that catch.
27:43Something he's been doing all year long.
27:46Missed opportunity to move the chains.
27:47That's a brutal first quarter
27:51for the Los Angeles Chargers.
27:55There's no other way to put it.
27:57Two three and outs.
27:59This one brings about the third punt of the game
28:03from Scott.
28:05Noel with a fair catch.
28:07There is a flag on the field,
28:10but it's at the other side of the field,
28:13not where Noel grabbed the ball.
28:15Now there's a flag there,
28:16so that might be interference
28:18with a fair catch.
28:21See what the other flag's for.
28:29First time we're hearing from Craig Rolstad
28:31in his 12th season.
28:33The White Hat says what?
28:36There's only one foul on the play
28:37during the kick,
28:38holding,
28:39receiving team,
28:40number 11.
28:42It's a 10-yard penalty.
28:43It's going to be first down.
28:45All right,
28:45so it's two flags,
28:47but for the same hold.
28:50Unless they pick that other one up.
28:52Regardless,
28:53it is the Texans' ball up 14
28:55with 36 seconds to go.
28:56What are we seeing so far here
28:57in this first quarter, Kurt?
28:59Well, so far,
29:00it has been, obviously,
29:00the big passing game
29:02from the Texans,
29:03but they've actually used
29:04Nico Collins,
29:04who's the main guy
29:05for C.J. Stroud,
29:06as the decoy.
29:07he's been able to grab
29:09the safeties
29:10and allow the young receivers
29:11to get over the top
29:12with two long touchdowns
29:15as that big lead
29:16for the Texans.
29:17Massive advantage
29:18in total yards
29:19for the Texans
29:21going into this drive.
29:23That starts
29:23from their own 17.
29:26It's a flip to Marks.
29:27And that should do it
29:31for the first quarter.
29:33Unless the Texans
29:34want to go fast,
29:35but this has been
29:36a fast start
29:37to say the least.
29:39The 0-3 Texans
29:41are making it
29:42another long day
29:43so far
29:44for Justin Herbert
29:45after one-and-dunning
29:46the Chargers last year.
29:50These Texans
29:51have come into this building
29:55red-hot,
29:56seven wins in a row.
29:58And a win today
29:59puts them in the playoffs.
30:0314-0 Houston.
30:05We're live on NFL Network
30:07on this Christmas
30:09weekend Saturday.
30:11Back with more
30:12in just a flash.
30:19A lot of watching
30:20and wincing
30:21for the Chargers
30:22in that first quarter.
30:24Not just from their quarterback
30:25who's been sacked twice
30:26and has left wincing
30:27after his first.
30:29Watching Texans
30:31receivers blow
30:33past Chargers defenders
30:35for two long
30:36first quarter strikes.
30:38A 75-yard touchdown
30:39grab by Higgins
30:41and a 43-yard touchdown
30:44and it's a second and seven
30:47for the Texans
30:48from their own 20
30:49to kick off the second quarter.
30:50Brown steps up.
30:50And that ball is tipped
30:55at the line.
30:56And that brings up
31:00third and seven
31:01to your heart.
31:02is the one that got a big mitt on it.
31:06And they talk about this a lot.
31:07They've got seven interceptions
31:08this year on tipped balls.
31:11And you often think about it
31:12on the back end.
31:15But Coach Minter was telling us
31:16they even emphasize it
31:18with the big guys up front.
31:19If you can't get there
31:20watch the quarterback
31:21wait for that arm
31:22to go up.
31:23Put your big mitts
31:24up in the air.
31:26A nice little tip
31:27right there.
31:28Otherwise probably
31:29a completion
31:29on the back end.
31:30And Tierra
31:30got some air time
31:32right there.
31:33Hanging in the air.
31:34Third down.
31:35Stroud
31:35over the middle.
31:37And there it's
31:38Nico Collins
31:38with his first catch
31:39of the day
31:40to move the chains.
31:44Kane of 15
31:45for number 12.
31:46And he's normally
31:47that big playmaker
31:48for this team.
31:49We've seen the young guys
31:50make the big plays.
31:51See him on the outside there
31:52of the deep cross.
31:55Good separation.
31:56Another second level throw.
31:58And I've talked about
31:59the Chargers have been good
32:00at not giving up
32:01the big plays.
32:02But early
32:02the Texans
32:03have figured it out.
32:05How to find those creases.
32:07There's a first down run
32:09and a run over
32:10by Jawad Jordan.
32:13Gain of eight.
32:15I mean the Texans
32:16are doing everything
32:16that the Chargers have.
32:18From converting
32:18on third down.
32:19Scoring.
32:21Playing defense.
32:22Getting off the field.
32:23Running the ball.
32:25They're being
32:25Chargers
32:26beaten by their own game
32:27right now.
32:28Yeah.
32:28And you talk to
32:29Nick Kaley
32:29the OC of the Texans
32:31CJ Stroud
32:31about what that defense
32:33how good that defense
32:34is on the other side.
32:35What that does
32:36for you offensively
32:37sometimes allow you
32:39to take some more chances
32:40down the field
32:41because you feel really good
32:42if you have to get off
32:42the field.
32:43Other times
32:44not push the ball
32:45if it's not there
32:46and just run the clock.
32:47Flip around by
32:48Xavier Hutchinson.
32:51There's another
32:52chain mover
32:52for Houston.
32:54And you're near
32:54in midfield here.
32:55And as a matter of fact
32:56the refs say
32:57they've crossed it.
32:58First down Houston.
32:59But you love that mentality
33:01if you're a quarterback.
33:02Rich.
33:02Hey I know
33:03I got a defense
33:03I know they're not
33:04going to give up
33:04a lot of points.
33:06Now I can play
33:06a little bit more free
33:07from either standpoint.
33:13You can hear
33:14pick and drop
33:15in the stadium
33:15right now.
33:16The Texans
33:16have hit.
33:18The Chargers
33:19in the mouth.
33:20The fans
33:20are kind of
33:21staggered right now.
33:24Stroud
33:24hands us off
33:26to Jordan
33:26runs into the wall
33:28brought by
33:30Tito Obonia.
33:33No gain.
33:34Second and ten.
33:37I know this
33:37Chargers team
33:38coming in
33:38all the talk
33:39was about
33:39the Texans defense
33:40but we're top
33:41three defense
33:42in the National
33:43Football League
33:43and wanted to
33:44to get their
33:45respect
33:46in a big
33:47national televised
33:49broadcast like this
33:50but hasn't worked
33:52out that way early
33:53giving up those
33:53big plays
33:54which they've been
33:55good at protecting
33:56against all year long.
34:00Woody Marks
34:00back in the game.
34:04Stroud's throwing
34:05and he finds
34:06his tight end
34:07Dalton Schultz
34:08tries to make a move
34:09and it brings up
34:11a third down.
34:13Tareep still
34:14with one on the
34:14stop
34:15and then
34:16a late flyer.
34:21And as Schultz
34:23got tangled up
34:24there
34:24or got entangled
34:26in something
34:26with Tartt.
34:30We always say
34:31second guy in
34:32usually gets the
34:33flag.
34:35A little bump
34:35in there by Tartt
34:36late.
34:38Schultz saying
34:39hey
34:39get off me.
34:40so here's
34:50Rolstad
34:50saying move it
34:51back.
34:52After the play
34:52personal foul
34:53unnecessary roughness
34:54offense number
34:5586.
34:56The down
34:57counts for third
34:57down.
34:59That's one of the
34:59first breaks of the
35:00game for the
35:01Chargers as Schultz
35:02gets popped.
35:02you can see him
35:05as he's
35:06getting up here
35:07kind of gets
35:07banged there on
35:08the ground
35:09comes up
35:10but as I said
35:11always going to be
35:12the second guy
35:13I think the big
35:14fella
35:14but I don't
35:16understand if you
35:16replay assist
35:17these days
35:18why can't they
35:19buzz in and
35:19basically say
35:20hey
35:20that was a
35:23retaliation to
35:24something
35:25but I guess
35:26that's for a
35:27competition committee
35:28conversation
35:28in a spring
35:30near you.
35:31A third down
35:32flip out to
35:33Marks.
35:34Long way to go
35:35and he can't get
35:36there as
35:36Derwin James
35:37is the one
35:38who ended it.
35:38so
35:39the Schultz
35:40penalty
35:40makes it a
35:42third and long
35:42rather than
35:43third and short
35:43in a spot
35:44where you could
35:44go for it
35:45on fourth down
35:46and here
35:46is a
35:48Texas punt
35:48and the one
35:49thing they
35:50can't have
35:50happen
35:50right
35:51is that
35:52big 15
35:53yard
35:53penalty like
35:54that
35:54everything's
35:55going your
35:55way
35:55you're
35:56moving
35:56the
35:56football
35:56one thing
35:58that can
35:58set you
35:58back
35:59is making
35:59your own
36:00mistakes
36:00so here
36:03comes the
36:04punt
36:04and
36:17McCronkey
36:17calls for a
36:18fair catch
36:18inside his
36:19own tent
36:19we go
36:22at a break
36:22and the
36:23Chargers
36:23get some
36:24yards
36:25let alone
36:25points
36:26we'll see
36:28when we
36:28come back
36:28back here
36:35Houston up
36:3614-0
36:37Chargers
36:37just got
36:38off the
36:38field
36:39and again
36:39just to
36:39repeat
36:40what I
36:40was saying
36:41I know
36:42replay assist
36:43cannot help
36:44with that
36:44those rules
36:45have not been
36:45instituted
36:46I don't know
36:46if there's
36:47going to be
36:47an appetite
36:47for it
36:48I'm just
36:48saying that
36:48in this
36:49day and age
36:49of the
36:50refs only
36:51seeing the
36:51retaliator
36:52with an
36:53eye in the
36:54sky if you
36:54will
36:54but maybe
36:55we should
36:56utilize that
36:56nothing else
36:57we throw a
36:57flag on both
36:58of them
36:58and I know
36:59that you
37:00know
37:00replay assist
37:01can't put a
37:02flag on the
37:03field either
37:03and that's
37:03not a
37:04door they
37:05want to
37:05open up
37:05but that's
37:06for another
37:06day
37:06as we
37:07have a
37:08first down
37:08run
37:09from Omari
37:10and Hampton
37:11here
37:11doesn't get
37:12very much
37:12what do you
37:14think the
37:14Chargers are
37:15thinking when
37:15they're huddling
37:16offensively right
37:17now
37:17what can they
37:18do
37:18oh
37:19Al Shire
37:19is down
37:20pardon me
37:20and again
37:22this is a
37:23leader of the
37:23defense who
37:24missed last
37:25week's game
37:26let's take a
37:28look at what
37:29happened
37:29well we'll be
37:34back in a
37:34moment here
37:35from Los Angeles
37:36is one of the
37:37big Texans
37:38on
37:39well Al Shire
37:42walked off
37:43himself
37:44it's his
37:44right shoulder
37:45Kurt
37:45looked like
37:46EJ Speed
37:47came in as
37:47he was trying
37:48to make the
37:48tackle
37:49right here
37:52at the end
37:52EJ Speed
37:5245 coming
37:53in here
37:54bang
37:54right there
37:56on that
37:56right shoulder
37:57but as you
37:59saw walked
37:59off under
37:59his own
38:00power
38:00was helped
38:01up with
38:02that right
38:02arm
38:03so it
38:03seems to
38:03be okay
38:04emotional
38:06leader for
38:06this football
38:07team
38:07everybody
38:08feeds off
38:09of him
38:09hoping to
38:11get back
38:11out there
38:11second and
38:12nine
38:12just a
38:13one yard
38:13game
38:13for Hampton
38:14he carries
38:1518 yards
38:16to this
38:17point
38:17Berber
38:18that one
38:20couldn't be
38:21brought in
38:21by Quinton
38:22Johnston
38:22now his
38:24Petrie on
38:25the coverage
38:25there
38:25he might
38:26have gotten
38:26a hand
38:27on it
38:28or this
38:28just a
38:28flat drop
38:29another
38:29one
38:30what a
38:32difference
38:32a week
38:33makes
38:34came out
38:35kind of
38:36funny right
38:36there
38:37so Petrie
38:38going to
38:39the flat
38:39does a
38:39great job
38:40of reading
38:40the eyes
38:40of Herbert
38:41coming back
38:41in and
38:42knocking it
38:42away at
38:42the last
38:43second
38:43but as I
38:44was saying
38:44what a
38:45difference
38:45a week
38:45makes
38:46last week
38:46against the
38:47Cowboys
38:47this Chargers
38:48offense was
38:49rolling
38:49came out
38:49bang bang
38:50bang bang
38:50three touchdown
38:51drives in the
38:51first half
38:52now they're
38:53finding themselves
38:54having trouble
38:55doing anything
38:55here
38:56third and
38:58nine
38:58Herbert
39:01has time
39:02puts this
39:03one out
39:04but
39:05Gadsden
39:06can't get
39:06the first
39:07down
39:07three and
39:08out
39:08Texas
39:10defense
39:10does its
39:11job
39:11again
39:12as the
39:13clock rolls
39:14to ten
39:14minutes to
39:15go in
39:15this first
39:16half
39:16good protection
39:19right there
39:20he's trying
39:20to get
39:20Johnston
39:21over on
39:22the left
39:22hand side
39:23but he
39:23is manned
39:24up
39:24can't get
39:24off of
39:25his guy
39:25has to
39:26flip it
39:26out there
39:26to his
39:27tight end
39:27not a
39:28great throw
39:29either
39:29so he's
39:29got to go
39:30down
39:30while he's
39:30catching it
39:31no chance
39:31to move
39:32the chains
39:32and just
39:32been a
39:33struggle
39:33for this
39:35Chargers
39:35offense
39:35early
39:36Jalen
39:38Knoll
39:38standing
39:39in his
39:39own
39:3936
39:40J.K.
39:42Scott
39:43with another
39:43punt
39:43Knoll
39:46calls
39:47for a
39:47fair
39:47catch
39:48grabs
39:50it
39:50at his
39:50own
39:5046
39:51terrific
39:52field
39:52position
39:52for a
39:53Texans
39:53team
39:54as you
39:55pointed
39:55out
39:55Kurt
39:56came
39:57out
39:57on
39:58fire
39:59there is
40:01a flag
40:01on the
40:01play
40:01holding
40:02receiving
40:03team
40:03number
40:0331
40:04it's a
40:0610 yard
40:06penalty
40:06from
40:06into
40:07the
40:07kick
40:07it'll be
40:07first down
40:08time out
40:09less so
40:12when we
40:13see them
40:14yardage
40:15marked
40:15off
40:16Jaden
40:17Higgins
40:1775 yard
40:18grab
40:19and then
40:19Jalen
40:20Knoll
40:2043 yard
40:21grab
40:21the first
40:22rookie
40:23teammates
40:23each with
40:24a receiving
40:24touchdown
40:25of 40
40:25yards or
40:26more
40:26in the
40:26same
40:27game
40:27since
40:28Don
40:28Woods
40:29and
40:29Harrison
40:29Davis
40:30each
40:30caught
40:31one
40:31from
40:31Hall
40:31of
40:31Famer
40:32Dan
40:32Fouts
40:33and the
40:34Chargers
40:34went over
40:35the Browns
40:35in week
40:35eight
40:36of
40:361974
40:37round
40:38we should
40:39go back
40:39to Iowa
40:39State
40:39wonder if
40:40they ever
40:40did that
40:40at Iowa
40:41State
40:42playing on
40:42the same
40:42field
40:43so it's
40:44from their
40:44own
40:4436 not
40:45at the
40:4646
40:46now
40:46after
40:47the
40:47holding
40:47penalty
40:48here's
40:53marks
40:53with the
40:53first down
40:54carry
40:54past the
40:5740 to
40:58the 41
40:58as we talk
41:03about this
41:03Texans team
41:04we know a lot
41:05about their
41:05defense but
41:06it's the
41:07young offense
41:07everybody waiting
41:08to see if this
41:08young offense
41:09can kind of
41:10hit its stride
41:10in these last
41:11couple weeks
41:12because
41:12everybody knows
41:13they've got a
41:14championship
41:14type of
41:16defense
41:17CJ Stroud
41:18one of the
41:18elder statesmen
41:19we've talked
41:19about a couple
41:20of the young
41:20receivers
41:21Woody Marks
41:21the young
41:22rookie
41:22running back
41:23so they
41:24love their
41:24future
41:25their future
41:25is bright
41:26they're just
41:26hoping these
41:27guys can
41:27speed it up
41:28a little bit
41:28if they can
41:30get this win
41:30or next week
41:31and get into
41:31the playoffs
41:32second and
41:32five
41:33Stroud
41:33play faking
41:34all kinds
41:36of time
41:36and he flips
41:37it out of
41:38bounds
41:38when time
41:40ran out
41:40third and
41:42five
41:42he could have
41:44held it
41:44just another
41:45tick
41:45Nico Collins
41:46is coming
41:46across the
41:47field
41:47on a big
41:48in route
41:49just felt
41:50again
41:51impatient
41:51at that
41:52point
41:52and this
41:53is what
41:53I'm talking
41:53about
41:53when you
41:54say
41:54we've got
41:54a great
41:54defense
41:55on the
41:55other
41:55side
41:56maybe
41:57in another
41:57situation
41:57he tries
41:58to hold
41:58that
41:58another
41:59tick
41:59wait
42:00to see
42:00if
42:00Nico
42:00gets
42:01open
42:01maybe
42:02leads
42:02to a
42:02sack
42:03there
42:03a mistake
42:04on the
42:04back
42:04end
42:05right
42:05now
42:05it's
42:05like
42:05hey
42:06we've got
42:06a 14
42:06point
42:07lead
42:07we've got
42:08a great
42:08defense
42:08it's
42:09alright
42:09I can
42:10live
42:10for
42:10another
42:10day
42:10just
42:11turn
42:11and
42:11throw
42:11that
42:12out
42:12of
42:12balance
42:12well
42:12here's
42:13the
42:13other
42:13day
42:13third
42:14and
42:15five
42:15Stroud
42:19intercepted
42:21intercepted
42:22by
42:23Derwin
42:23James
42:24the
42:26all
42:26pro
42:27to the
42:27rescue
42:27and the
42:28Chargers
42:29get their
42:29first
42:30big
42:30momentum
42:31shift
42:31it
42:40looks like
42:41they're
42:41talking
42:41about
42:41the
42:41tipped
42:42balls
42:42right
42:45here
42:45throws
42:47the
42:47hand
42:47up
42:48tipped
42:49right
42:49there
42:49Derwin
42:50James
42:50just
42:51sitting
42:51right
42:51in
42:52the
42:52window
42:53great
42:54job
42:54there
42:55I
42:55think
42:55that
42:55was
42:55Deshaun
42:55hand
42:56with
42:56the
42:56big
42:56hand
42:57going
42:58up
42:58tipping
42:58it
42:59that's
43:00number
43:00eight
43:01on
43:01tipped
43:01balls
43:01these
43:02guys
43:02talk
43:02about
43:03it
43:03they
43:03work
43:03on
43:03it
43:04they
43:04show
43:05video
43:05every
43:06single
43:06week
43:06when that
43:07ball
43:07gets tipped
43:07and goes
43:08up in
43:08the air
43:08they gotta
43:08say
43:09that one's
43:10mine
43:10and
43:10Derwin
43:10James
43:11with a
43:11big
43:11defensive
43:12play
43:12to get
43:13it
43:13back
43:13to the
43:13offense
43:13what can
43:14the
43:14Chargers
43:14do
43:15with
43:15it
43:15it's
43:16Hampton
43:16first
43:17down
43:17run
43:18nicely
43:19done
43:19inside
43:20the
43:2035 to
43:22the
43:2233
43:22yard
43:23so
43:27the
43:27Chargers
43:28get
43:28exactly
43:29what
43:29they
43:29needed
43:30a
43:31defensive
43:32play
43:32to
43:33set
43:33the
43:33offensive
43:34up
43:34on
43:34the
43:35Texans
43:35side
43:35of
43:36the
43:36field
43:36for the
43:36first
43:36time
43:37all
43:37afternoon
43:38and you
43:40don't want
43:40to panic
43:40you gotta
43:41get points
43:41out of this
43:43but knowing
43:43how tough
43:43it's been
43:44offensively
43:44at this
43:45point
43:45I know
43:46there's
43:46something
43:46in Greg
43:47Roman
43:47saying
43:48hey
43:48we've
43:48got
43:48to put
43:49seven
43:49on
43:49the
43:50board
43:50now
43:52Shires
43:53back
43:53in the
43:53game
43:54the
43:54defensive
43:54captain
43:55Herbert
43:56gets
43:57Hampton
43:57the ball
43:57in space
43:58Hampton
44:00down to the
44:0215 yard
44:03in this
44:25Jáng
44:26Jáng
44:27Jáng
44:28Jáng
44:28Jáng
44:29Jáng
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