Grading the Win in Los Angeles by the Texans
Plenty of good in this one
Landry Locker grades the performance of the Texans. Here are the grades for the win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Follow Landry on YouTube.
This was a huge win and test for the Texans on the offensive side to manage the card they’ve been dealt and escape with a win. They passed.
Per usual, the super power (the defense) did the heavy-lifting with the offense looking familiarly flawed after a perfect first two drives.
This team is what it is at this point and is a legitimate threat to make a run and go to places they’ve never been before.
Here are this week’s Land Lock grades…
Quarterback: C
It was an up-and-down game for C.J. Stroud with an epic start and a falloff in the first half.
1st two drives: 4-4, 142 yards, 2 TD
Remainder of 1st Half: 6-14, 43 yards, 2 INT
Stroud made some plays when he needed to, but missed some throws. Most notably, he missed a potential touchdown to Woody Marks down the sidelines, which the quarterback was notably frustrated with.
It wasn’t as bad as last week, but not as good as the previous three weeks.
Running Backs: Solid B
Like Nico Collins and Jawhar Jordan last week, I thought Woody Marks was better than his stats.
Marks had some elite situational running, specifically three situations I’d like to highlight:
One: Marks had a run out of the end zone at the end of the second quarter that should have allowed the Texans to take it to halftime before the coaching staff wet the bed and gave the Chargers an unnecessary opportunity on a Stroud interception.
Two: A stretch in the fourth quarter where the hard running of Marks set up a field goal to give the Texans a two-possession, 10-point lead, which would end up being the difference.
Three: At the end of the game, the running of Marks allowed the Texans to ice the game.
Marks was good, and Jordan, who contributed to the previously mentioned fourth quarter stretch, had some moments as well.
We said in camp Nick Chubb clearly had the least amount of juice of all the backs, and now that’s playing out at a crucial time. Chubb had one carry, which is appropriate and the ideal role.
The Texans have more to work with at running back than they have all season, and it’s happening at the right time.
Wide Receivers: A
Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel got things started with explosive plays, Nico Collins did what he does when called upon, and Xavier Hutchinson had some solid contributions.
The position group did everything they were allowed to do in this matchup.
Tight Ends: F
After establishing the best season of his Texans tenure, Dalton Schultz has had a rough couple of weeks.
This week was highlighted by a bone-headed retaliation penalty that killed the momentum and an opportunity to have an early three-possession lead, along with a fumble on a screen pass that should’ve resulted in a massive play.
It’s not overly concerning, but in the last two ball games, Schultz has looked more like the 2024 version of himself than what he has been most of this season.
Cade Stover had some rough blocking moments and didn’t really stick out.
Offensive Line: Pass
It wasn’t amazing, but given realistic expectations for what was out there, it was fine.
The offensive line also looked much better when sharing the field with what the Chargers are forced to throw out there.
Defensive Line: A
Will Anderson was better than his stats and had Herbert running for his life with a clear awareness of where No. 51 was at all times.
Danielle Hunter had a sack, and Derek Barnett chipped in with two. Sheldon Rankins continued his solid, under-the-radar play.
The Chargers never got the run game going, and the reserve defensive linemen were much better this week than last.
It was a good day, and this defensive line is so good that it feels like they could’ve been even better.
Linebackers: A
The short passing game of the Chargers had a moderate impact, the run game had no impact, and Azeez Al-Shaair took advantage of an opportunity and intercepted a pass at the one-yard line.
This was a really good performance by the backers.
Cornerbacks: A+
There’s zero chance this Texans win streak happens without Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter battling to be able to play despite being banged-up and balling at an elite level every time they’re between the lines.
These guys are battling through pain and playing at an elite level.
There was a moment where Lassiter left the game, and the Chargers immediately attacked Tremon Smith for a 16-yard and 60+ yard completion. That ended when Lassiter returned.
This is the best CB duo in football, the two best corners in franchise history, and somehow it feels like these guys are underrated.
Safeties: B
Jalen Pitre and Calen Bullock were good enough. Each had a pass deflection, including a big third-down
There weren’t any big plays given up, although Pitre picked up another drive-extending penalty.
The most pleasant surprise was K’Von Wallace, whose physicality and presence were felt, allowing the Texans to keep Myles Bryant off the field. Wallace will be a part of things moving forward, depending on the status of Jaylen Reed.
Special Teams: A
Another solid effort by Frank Ross’s group.
The return game was a wash with no impact on either side. The highlight was Tommy Townsend and company pinning the Chargers at the one late in the game.
Coaching: B-
The game plans on all three phases were solid, even on offense.
The biggest issue with this team is the approach to offense at the end of halves. It has been a problem all season, and this was the low point.
When they should be aggressive, they aren’t. When they shouldn’t be, they are.
This isn’t some simplistic hindsight; it has been clear as day to anyone with a pulse when watching. In fact, I even typed that the Texans were going into halftime feeling good before their awkward aggressiveness before Stroud’s second interception.
It almost feels like a prank at times, but they’ve been able to overcome it. The slate is wiped clean, and we will see how it’s handled in the playoffs.