Texans vs. Chargers first quarter recap
Chargers 3rd drive (7 plays, 70 yards, 3:38) — DE Demone Harris seemingly gets a second-and-7 sack on QB Justin Herbert from the Chargers’ 33-yard line, but he gets ticketed for an illegal use of hands to the face. Houston backed up the Chargers third-and-10 from the Texans’ 32-yard line, but Herbert found WR Keenan Allen on a crosser to pick up 15. RB Justin Jackson scored on a 17-yard touchdown run the very next play. The Chargers go for two, which forces Houston to burn a timeout as they weren’t ready. The Chargers actually run the ball on a two-point try with Jackson getting stuffed. Chargers, 12-7
Texans 3rd drive (12 plays, 42 yards, 6:04) — Chargers S Derwin James was not on the field to start the drive. The drive gets going with QB Davis Mills hitting TE Brevin Jordan on a flair out of the backfield, which he takes for a tough 11 yards. Houston goes with two consecutive RB Rex Burkhead runs of four and two yards, setting up a third-and-4 from the Texans’ 42-yard line. Mills connects with Burkhead on a dump off for four yards. RB Royce Freeman spells Burkhead, gets a carry, and goes for 13 yards. WR Chris Moore gets a holding call that backs Houston up second-and-19 from their own 35-yard line. The Texans go with a simple run from Burkhead that gets stuffed after two yards. Houston can’t convert, and then the practice squad kicker from Nuremberg, Germany, busts a 51-yard field goal right down Broadway to chip into the lead. Chargers, 12-10
Chargers 4th drive (3 plays, 25 yards, 1:14) — Nothing helps the offense like a low block on the KICKING team. The Chargers take over at their own 36-yard line as the penalty was on LB Josh Watson. Simone Biles’ boyfriend, S Jonathan Owens, intercepts Herbert at the goal line. Houston will get it at their own 6-yard line.
"A bullet downfield and it's intercepted inside the 5-yard line. #Texans have it! Jonathan Owens with his first… the takeaway train has started to roll." — @TexansVoice
— Mark Lane (@therealmarklane) December 26, 2021
Texans 4th drive (7 plays, 94 yards, 3:30) — The Texans were stalling around their own goal line until Chargers DT Linval Joseph committed defensive holding, which gave Houston a first-and-10 at their own 9-yard line. Mills went downfield for a 36-yard pass to WR Phillip Dorsett. Houston reaches the two-minute warning with a first-and-10 at their own 45-yard line. Mills throws a 41-yard touchdown pass to WR Chris Conley. Houston takes the lead. Texans, 17-12
Chargers 5th drive (1 play, 4 yards, 0:27) — The Chargers essentially take a knee and are content to go into halftime. Houston will get the ball to start the second half.
Stats
Texans
Mills: 11/13, 131 yards, TD
Burkhead: 9 carries, 55 yards, TD
Conley: 2 catches, 42 yards, TD
Chargers
Herbert: 11/15, 149 yards, INT
Jackson: 5 carries, 32 yards, TD; 2 catches, 34 yards
Josh Palmer: 3 catches, 34 yards
