The Los Angeles Chargers were involved in controversial officiating calls during a recent loss to the Houston Texans, particularly a key illegal contact penalty on cornerback Tarheeb Still that gave the Texans a game-sealing first down, leading to fan outrage and articles on many sports sites like ESPN, CBS, NFL Network, plus Bolt Beat and OutKick claiming the refs totally “screwed” the Chargers out of a potential win, with replays showing the penalty was highly questionable and negated a chance for a Chargers comeback. It was a shit show!

Game Overview:

The Los Angeles Chargers faced the Houston Texans in a Week 17 matchup of the 2025 NFL season on December 27, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Texans emerged victorious with a final score of 20-16, clinching a playoff spot while dropping the Chargers to an 11-5 record. This loss eliminated the Chargers’ chance to control their destiny for the AFC West title, shifting their focus to a Week 18 game against the Denver Broncos that would only impact wild-card seeding.

The game was marked by great defensive efforts from both sides, with the Texans’ defense swarming after an early offensive push, and the Chargers mounting a late comeback attempt that was ultimately thwarted by very controversial officiating.

Game Summary: The Texans started strong, building a lead through efficient plays and capitalizing on great field position. Key highlights included Houston’s offense scoring early touchdowns and field goals, while their defense limited the Chargers’ red-zone efficiency. The Chargers reached the red zone multiple times but settled for field goals in some instances, including one in the third quarter at 6:04 remaining.

This was called illegal contact on the DEFENSE??? This would have been 4th down, giving the ball back to the chargers. Instead, the refs handed this game to Houston.

This is the most flagrant referee interference I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/K2AwWfEsA4

— Cody🇺🇸 (@featuring_cody) December 28, 2025

Los Angeles managed a touchdown in the second half to narrow the gap to four points, setting up a dramatic final drive for the Chargers with 2:32 left on the clock. The Chargers’ defense had forced a pivotal stop on third-and-long when they sacked Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, potentially giving quarterback Justin Herbert the ball back for a game-winning opportunity. However, the play was negated by the controversial penalty, allowing Houston to run out the clock and secure the win.

Overall, the game showcased solid defensive performances by both teams, but the outcome went to the Texans, the game totally hinged on very late-game officiating that absolutely overshadowed the potential Chargers win and late game efforts.

Learn More: The Key Controversial Play–

With the Texans facing third-and-long on their final drive and the Chargers trailing 20-16, Houston attempted a pass play. Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still, a sophomore defensive back wearing number 29, was in coverage on Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (noted in multiple reports, though Kirk is typically associated with the Jaguars—likely a reporting error referring to a Texans receiver such as Tank Dell or Nico Collins; sources consistently use “Kirk” but context suggests a mismatch). (boltbeat.com) Approximately 10 yards downfield, Still dropped his hips in coverage while backpedaling, and contact occurred as the receiver ran his route. Replay footage shows an overhead view of the snap, with the offensive line engaging and Stroud dropping back. The receiver in white (Texans) pushes forward, arms outstretched, initiating some contact with Still in blue (Chargers). Still places a hand on the receiver’s shoulder pads, briefly riding him as they jostle, but the contact does not drastically alter the route or impede progress significantly. Moments later, the sack on Stroud occurs at the line of scrimmage, followed by a late flag thrown by officials.

The penalty was called for illegal contact, granting the Texans an automatic first down and effectively ending the game, as they kneeled out the remaining time. Critics argue the call was “ticky-tacky” and highly questionable because the receiver appeared to initiate the contact by running directly at Still, and such incidental bumps happen on nearly every play without flags. Without the penalty, the Chargers would have regained possession with time for a potential touchdown drive to win and keep their AFC West hopes alive.

boltbeat.com Official Explanation:

NFL officiating spokesman Walt Anderson defended the call during a post-game review, emphasizing that illegal contact is an NFL-specific rule not present at other levels of football. He explained that defenders can make one “chuck” within the first five yards, but beyond that, receivers must be allowed to run routes freely without being slid into, chucked, or ridden. In this case, Anderson stated that after the receiver passed five yards, Still slid into his path and made prohibited contact, justifying the flag.

nbcsports.com Official Explanation: Anderson also addressed why no penalty was called on a separate collision involving Chargers DB Donte Jackson and Texans receiver Xavier Hutchinson on the same play, noting that officials did not view it as meeting the criteria for illegal contact. He acknowledged that not every technical violation is flagged to avoid slowing the game, but this instance warranted enforcement due to its nature.

Here was a question we simply asked Google AI: So was craig Wrolstad the ref that fucked over the Chargers vs Texans? (See Google’s reply below):

Craig Wrolstad was the head referee for the game (Google AI)

Saturday, December 27, 2025, which featured a highly controversial late-game call. 

The controversy centered on an “illegal contact” penalty called on Chargers defensive back Tarheeb Still during a third-down play with over two minutes left in the game. Craig Wrolstad was the head referee for the recent Chargers game vs. the HoustonTexans at SOFI Stadium.

The Chargers had sacked Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, which would have forced a punt and given the Chargers a chance to mount a potential game-winning drive, as they were down by four points (20-16). 

However, the penalty resulted in an automatic first down for the Texans, allowing them to run out the clock and seal their victory. The call was widely debated by fans and NFL analysts, with many, including some on the NFL Network, criticizing it as “ticky-tack” and game-altering. 

NFL officiating spokesman Walt Anderson later defended the call, stating that by rule, illegal contact is a foul unique to the NFL where defensive players must let receivers run their routes freely after five yards. 

NFL Network Also Rips NFL Officiating

“When you have really great games like this, you want to make sure that the players end the game,” NFL Network analyst Maurice Jones Drew told the audience that stuck around after the game. “And I have to say this because too many times we see this, right? 

“What is the DB supposed to do? He’s backpedaling, his cushion is broken, he settles ’cause he knows the receiver’s settling. That’s not an egregious penalty, right? And so the quarterback’s out, he’s trying to scramble to get out of the pocket.

“Allow the players to win the game, and this happened against the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles at the end of their game … And so to me, sometimes you have to let the players play. And if it is going to be a penalty, let it be an egregious penalty. A guy getting tackled or pulled by the face mask, not something where two guys are competing and getting after it.”

Dagger comment from Jones-Drew:

“I’m just saying I’d like to see the Houston Texans earn that more than the first down given to them.”

LACI loves the Chargers! Let’s hope moving forward that the NFL simply lets the players finish the game and stop calling BS penalties!

Here is another look at the Bullshit call: (Reddit)

Refs for the Chargers every time they don’t convert on 3rd down vs Texans today pic.twitter.com/Q71RJlqovq

— Texas Floater (@texasfloater) December 28, 2025

Thanks for reading this article. Please follow LACI on twitter- (X) @ChargersFanChat

BOLT UP!!!

Even NFL Network Believes Questionable Officiating Is Hurting Integrity Of NFL Games https://t.co/UNZDaB5F7w #Outkick
Earlier in the game the Texans tight end was tackled, then hit late by a Chargers 300 lb. lineman late with a knee to the back and a slap to the face. The…

— DevilDog (@airwinger_9014) December 28, 2025

Another explanation:

 Call that helped Texans beat Chargers

Date: December 28, 2025Author: Cedi Sports0 Comments

In Week 17, the Houston Texans faced off against the Los Angeles Chargers in a thrilling game that ultimately hinged on a controversial penalty. Initially, it seemed the Texans would dominate, but the match took a dramatic turn as it neared its conclusion. With the Texans leading 20-16 and just 2:30 left on the clock, a critical play unfolded that left fans at SoFi Stadium divided. 

Here is another explanation:

The pivotal moment occurred during a 3rd-and-9 situation when the Chargers sacked Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, seemingly forcing a punt. However, Los Angeles cornerback Tarheeb Still was penalized for illegal contact, which kept the Texans’ drive alive. Many fans expressed their frustration, feeling that the game should not have been decided by a penalty. Yet, former NFL referee Walt Anderson defended the call, explaining the nuances of illegal contact rules in the league. 

Anderson elaborated on the specifics of the foul, stating that once a receiver passes five yards, defensive players must allow them to run their route freely. He pointed out that Still’s action of sliding into the path of receiver Christian Kirk after the five-yard mark constituted illegal contact. This clarification helped shed light on why the penalty was enforced, despite the uproar from the crowd. 

When comparing the situation to another instance involving Chargers cornerback Donte Jackson and Texans receiver Xavier Hutchinson, Anderson noted the difference in their actions. Jackson was retreating and maintaining his space, while Still made contact with Kirk, which justified the penalty. This distinction highlighted the complexities of defensive maneuvers in the NFL and the importance of adhering to the rules. 

As a result of the penalty, the Texans were able to secure another first down, effectively sealing their victory and clinching a playoff spot. This win marked their eighth consecutive triumph, while the Chargers were eliminated from contention in the AFC West, allowing the Denver Broncos to take the division title. The game showcased the fine line between victory and defeat, often influenced by the interpretation of the rules.