[NFL Pro] The Texans defense allowed -0.58 EPA per play, the 4th-fewest by any defense in a game this season and fewest by any defense in a playoff game in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).

I subscribed to NFL Pro and they share advanced stats insights from every game. The headline for Chargers vs Texans is definitely about just how excellent Houston performed on defense today. Here are the full insights...

Texans Defense:

The Texans defense had a standout performance in their Wild Card win, allowing -0.58 EPA per play, the 4th-fewest by any defense in a game this season (including the playoffs) and the fewest by any defense in a playoff game in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).

The Texans pass rush was able to pressure Justin Herbert on half of his dropbacks, led by Will Anderson (7 pressures, 1.5 sacks), Denico Autry (5 pressures, 1 sack) and Danielle Hunter (5 pressures). The Texans cornerbacks also played tight coverage, with Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter combining for 7 tight windows and 3 interceptions on 15 total targets. Lassiter did not allow a reception on any of his 4 targets as the nearest defender.

QB Justin Herbert:

Justin Herbert was pressured on 19 of 36 dropbacks (52.8%) in the Chargers’ Wild Card loss to the Texans, completing only 3 of 15 passes when pressured for 103 yards (with 86 yards coming on a touchdown to Ladd McConkey) and 2 interceptions and 4 sacks.

Herbert faced 11 quick pressures (30.6%), including 5 unblocked pressures, resulting in his highest quick pressure rate faced in any career regular or postseason game. The heavy pressure correlated with an average time to throw of 3.57 seconds, the longest of his career, including playoffs. When not under pressure, Herbert completed 11 of 17 passes for 130 yards and 2 interceptions.

QB CJ Stroud:

C.J. Stroud generated a majority of his production in the Texans’ Wild Card win when targeting in-breaking routes, completed 13 of 16 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown.

Stroud finished with his 2nd-most yards targeting in-breakers in a game in his career (including playoffs). Stroud was also efficient when kept clean, recording his 2nd-highest success rate (58.3%) of the season on non-pressured dropbacks.

WR Nico Collins:

Nico Collins accumulated 104 of his 122 receiving yards on in-breaking targets against the Chargers, including a 13-yard touchdown on a slant route late in the second quarter to give the Texans a halftime lead.

Collins gained almost half of his yards after the catch (60 of 122), including +22 yards after catch over expected. Since the start of the 2023 season (including playoffs), Collins has gained the 6th-most YAC over expected (+299) among wide receivers league wide.

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