Late Texans Penalty Call Reshaped the NFL Playoff Picture for Four Teams

The Texans defeated the Chargers after the referee awarded an illegal contact penalty on Chargers DB Tarheeb Still.

Late Texans Penalty Call Reshaped the NFL Playoff Picture for Four Teams

Tarheeb Still's illegal contact on Christian Kirk and CJ Stroud (Screengrab X and Image via IMAGO)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

December football can be very ruthless. The thinnest of margins can decide the fate several times. The NFL world experienced one such call during the Week 17 fixture between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Chargers.

A lot was riding on the outcome of this particular game. The Chargers needed a win to keep the pressure on the Denver Broncos in the AFC West, while a Texans victory would guarantee them a smooth path into the playoffs.

With less than three minutes remaining before the final whistle, the Chargers’ linebacker duo of Daiyan Henley and Odafe Oweh sacked Texans quarterback CJ Stroud. However, the celebration was cut short when the referee threw a penalty marker. The referee called Chargers DB Tarheeb Still for illegal contact on Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk.

If the referee had allowed the sack, then the Texans would have been forced to punt, giving the Chargers a chance to score a game-winning touchdown. Instead, the Texans went on to secure an eighth straight victory to punch their way into the playoffs for the third consecutive year (first time in franchise history).

Meanwhile, Houston’s rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, were eliminated from the playoffs despite being 7-1 at one point. The Chargers have to wait another year to win the West, while the Broncos secured their first conference title since 2015 (when they won the Super Bowl).

DeMeco Ryans reacted to the Texans’ 20-16 victory over the Chargers

The Texans came out of the blocks early with Stroud throwing two touchdowns in the first two drives to Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Two field goals from each team had the scoreboard rolling before QB Justin Herbert found Oronde Gadsden for a Chargers score.

Late Texans Penalty Call Reshaped the NFL Playoff Picture for Four Teams
CJ Stroud (Image via IMAGO)

A 44-yard FG in the fourth quarter increased the gap further. Omarion Hampton reduced it to four points three minutes later, but his efforts failed to yield a win. The 20-16 victory improved the Texans’ record to 11-5 and kept them in the hunt for the conference crown.

The light is shining bright on the Texans, but that light is really reflective of their guys’ belief in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That’s what’s driven our team& I’m so proud of our guys & thankful to the Lord for allowing us to allow our lights to shine through him & just all praise & honor goes to him.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said about the win

Ryans became only the sixth coach since 2000 to reach the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. He pulled it off despite the Texans losing the first three games of 2025.

Stroud completed 16 passes from 28 attempts for 244 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Woody Marks carried the ball 19 times for 71 yards. Higgins averaged 44 yards on two catches. Herbert threw for 236 yards, one touchdown, and one INT, and further added 37 yards on 6 carries. Quentin Johnston caught 5 passes for 98 yards.

The Chargers take on the Broncos on the final day, while the Texans end their regular season campaign by hosting the Colts.

Also Read: