In the annals of ‘Chargering’ nothing may top this sequence
The Chargers went from having hope against the Texas, to offering a new low in ‘Chargering’
In the annals of “Chargering” — loosely defined as the Los Angeles Chargers finding new and increasingly painful ways to lose football games — nothing may top a two-play sequence from their loss to the Houston Texans to kick off Wild Card Weekend.
After a disastrous pair of drives both ended in interceptions thrown by Justin Herbert, one of them a Pick-Six to give the Texans a 20-6 lead, the Chargers took over possession trailing 20-6 early in the fourth quarter. A pair of sacks from Houston pushed the Chargers to a 3rd-and-26 situation, and with just over ten minutes remaining and Los Angeles deep in their own territory, it seemed as if the floor was about to fall out for the Chargers.
That’s when the improbable happened:
LADD MCCONKEY GOES 86 YARDS ON 3RD AND 26!
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
: #LACvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/HY54nsLyeo
Somehow, some way, Herbert connected with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey over the middle, with the Georgia product turning the reception into an 86-yard touchdown. In the blink of an eye, the Chargers were in the end zone, trailing by 11, with a chance to cut Houston’s lead to 10 with the extra point.
The touchdown is certainly worth another look:
What. A. Play. The @Chargers have life ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/vM5rR4oyO8
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
As noted, the Chargers suddenly had life as they lined up for the extra point.
About that:
.@HoustonTexans special teams making more plays! They return the blocked kick back for two!
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
: #LACvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BCdKRKpICr
Instead of cutting the Texans’ lead to ten, Houston extended their lead to 13 with the two-point defensive conversion, blocking the PAT and returning it for a score. Los Angeles kicker Cameron Dicker tried to knock the ball to the turf after the block, hoping to prevent a Houston recovery, but instead, the Texans steamrolled him en route to the two-point play.
For those who believe in momentum, it had swung back to the Texans in the blink of an eye.
But even if you do not believe in momentum, you must believe in Chargering. Levels of which we have not seen like this before, and may never see again.