The Chargers had a few chances to cut into the Texans’ lead before halftime in Los Angeles on Saturday, but they couldn’t get anything out of them.
Cameron Dicker missed a 32-yard field goal from right with 10 seconds left in the half and the Texans remained ahead 14-3 with 30 minutes left. Dicker’s field goal attempt came after the Chargers took over at the Houston 32-yard line thanks to CJ Stroud’s second interception of the first half.
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The miss was the first of Dicker’s career on a kick from less than 40 yards.
Stroud apparently didn’t see Chargers defensive back Elijah Molden standing between him and receiver Christian Kirk and the play gave the Chargers some life after they threw an interception of their own. A throw by Justin Herbert to tight end Oronde Gadsden Jr. slipped out of the rookie’s hands and fell into the waiting gloves of Texas linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair at the Houston 1-yard line.
Stroud’s first interception came after Chargers defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage and safety Derwin James recovered it for the takeaway. That led to the Chargers’ only points of the first half, but Dicker’s field goal did little to cut into the lead that the Texans built with long touchdown runs on their first two possessions of the game.
Stroud opened the game 6 of 6 for 151 yards, but finished the half 10 of 18 for 185 yards. Herbert is 10 of 14 for 123 yards and has been sacked three times.
