The opening game of the 2024 playoffs will be held at NRG Stadium in Houston with the Texans hosting the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coming off a 2023 full of promise, the Texans have finished atop a meager AFC South division. Conversely, the Chargers have dramatically improved on last year’s performance in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as head coach.
The Chargers are led by star quarterback Justin Herbert, who has blossomed under Harbaugh’s stewardship and thrown for 3,870 pass yards, 23 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
In CJ Stroud, LA will be facing off against quarterback who struggled in his second NFL season but still managed to book a spot in the postseason.
The stars of the show on Saturday, though, could be the defenses with both excelling in 2024; Houston has 19 interceptions, the second most this year, while Los Angeles’ unit is laden with game-changing talent such as Derwin James, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Given the holes in both teams’ rosters – the Chargers aren’t loaded with pass catchers for Herbert while the Texans’ wide receiving core has been depleted by injuries – neither team is expected to challenge for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
But the opening game of the playoffs could still have some intrigue as the teams seek to make the first step towards New Orleans and possibly upset a heavyweight or two along the way.
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