Chargers-Texans Live Recap: Bolts look to right the ship against the winless Texans

Oct 2, 2022 - 4:50 PM

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It’s game time, baby!

The Chargers (1-2) and Texans (0-2-1) are set to kickoff shortly in Houston as both teams look to come away with either their first win since week one or their first win of the season, in general.

Heading into this one, the Chargers are currently a six-point favorite, per DraftKings Sportsbook. That line began at (-5.5) to begin the week, moved to (-5) by Wednesday before rising again by Sunday morning.

We all know how this matchup went last year. Here’s to hoping the Chargers don’t get “got” once again by a team they should be able to handle, with or without a pair of their stars playing.

Keep it here for life updates quarter-by-quarter throughout today’s game!

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First Quarter

The Chargers won the coin toss and deferred to begin the game. It took the defense only three plays to make their first big play of the game as Nasir Adderley picked off Davis Mills before returning it to the Houston 25-yard line. The errant throw was forced by Khalil Mack who got into the face of Mills as he threw.

On the other side, it took the Chargers offense three plays as well to find the end zone. Gerald Everett beat outstanding rookie safety Jalen Pitre up the seam and Justin Herbert put the ball just over his head where Everett could snag it in stride.

Bolts were up 7-0 just minutes into the game.

Both teams traded punts with the Chargers going three-and-out on their second offensive possession.

The Texans pushed the ball into Chargers territory on the ensuing drive, going 42 yards in eight plays, but their kicker shanked it wide left and the Bolts took over at their own 36-yard line.

Before the end of the first quarter, the Chargers moved the ball 29 yards on five plays, highlighted by Joshua Kelley’s 11 yards on a pair of carries.

Second Quarter

The Chargers finished their drive in the end zone as they found paydirt on the ground for the first time this season. Austin Ekeler bounced back to run 15 yards on back-to-back plays, including a 10-yard score.

That put the Chargers up 14-0 early in the second quarter.

After forcing another three-and-out, the Chargers wasted zero time in finding the end zone for the third time in the first half.

On the second play of the drive, Herbert found Mike Williams with no one near him as number 81 rumbled untouched for a 50-yard gain. On the very next play, Ekeler took a handoff on a draw play untouched up the right sideline for a 20-yard score.

With 10 minutes in the second quarter, the Chargers led 21-0.

On the first play of their next drive, rookie running back Dameon Pierce broke off a massive 75-yard touchdown to bring the Texans back within two touchdowns. It was third run of 50+ yards that that Chargers have allowed in as many weeks.

The Bolts couldn’t respond with a touchdown of their own, but they did manage to convert a 23-yard field goal to keep their lead 24-7 with 4:35 remaining in the half.

The Texans pushed the ball into Chargers territory all the way to the 24. On a fourth-and-one, Davis Mills faked a handoff and rolled right before immediately being met with Khalil Mack who ended the play with his fifth sack of the season.

With a little over 90 seconds in the half, Herbert hit Michael Bandy for a 25 yard gain to begin the drive. They brought the ball all the way to the Texans 19-yard line before having to kick a field goal prior to the half. Dustin Hopkins made it 27-7 as both teams headed to the locker room.

Third Quarter

The Chargers received the opening kickoff of the second half but failed to turn it into much of anything as they went three-and-out. They had chances for converting on both second and third down, respectively, but a missed block by Matt Feiler and a dropped pass by Gerald Everett quickly ended the drive.

After trading several punts, the Texans find a groove on an eight-play, 87-yard drive capped off by a touchdown catch by Rex Burkhead. It was easily the worst defensive drive by the Chargers all game and it’s brought game with two scores as the Bolts clung to a 27-14 lead with 1:12 remaining in the quarter.

The Chargers ran two plays before the intermission and will face a third-and-four when play resumes on the other side.

Fourth Quarter

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Justin Herbert finished the day with

Austin Ekeler