The Texans and the Chargers squared off in the wild-card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs. It was a tale of two halves, as the first was a snoozefest but the second was filled with action before ultimately ending 32-12 in Houston’s favor.
After a series of Houston touchdowns in the second half, Los Angeles finally was able to spark some momentum. Quarterback Justin Herbert connected with wide receiver Ladd McConkey on an impressive 86-yard touchdown. The Chargers had allowed 23 unanswered points and finally were able to get back on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived.
The usually uber-reliable Cameron Dicker lined up for the extra point, hoping to make it 24-13 early in the fourth quarter. The attempt was blocked almost straight up in the air, causing Dicker to jump for the ball. However, he batted it down to the field rather than trying to catch it. The Texans recovered it and ran it back for a two-point conversion.
Here’s why the Texans were able to get two points on the wild play.
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Cameron Dicker blocked extra point vs. Texans, explained
This game was wild, pun intended. Herbert threw three interceptions during the regular season but four against Houston. They weren’t all his fault, but were turnovers nonetheless. Texans QB C.J. Stroud threw an interception, and the Ravens added two lost fumbles to their turnover count.
The Houston defense had a pick-six with 13 seconds to go in the third quarter. After getting the ball back, the Texans kicked a 30-yard field goal. Herbert and McConkey responded with their 86-yard score, and all eyes were on Dicker. After the kick was blocked, he was the only one who tracked it in the air. He clearly thought that it was like when a pass got deflected at the line of scrimmage, and it just needed to hit the ground to be a dead ball.
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Dicker leaped in the air and forced the ball to the ground. A Houston defender walloped him, taking him out of the play. All Dicker could do was watch the Texans recover the ball he had knocked down and take it back for a defensive two-point conversion.
Blocked kicks are considered live balls. If Dicker had caught the ball and gone down with it, Houston wouldn’t have been able to advance it. Instead, he redirected the live ball, which the Texans scooped and proceeded to score.
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