Three wins in the final six regular-season games led the Houston Texans to a home playoff game nonetheless.As they prepare to face the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC wild-card round on Saturday, the fourth-seeded Texans realize the urgency ramps up in January and beyond. That especially rings true against a fifth-seeded Chargers team that boasts the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense.”If you get hot as an offense, especially around this time of year, that’s a really good thing for your team and your organization,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said.Assured of their second consecutive AFC South crown, the Texans opted to rest several key contributors in the regular-season finale on the heels of a 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.Still, Houston (10-7) finished with a needed spark, ending a two-game skid with a 23-14 road victory against the Tennessee Titans, who secured the top pick in this year’s NFL Draft.Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud connected on all six passes for 50 yards in his lone series on Sunday, punctuating the cameo with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins. Thrust into an increased role after a midseason injury to Stefon Diggs, Collins led Houston in receptions (68), receiving yards (1,006) and receiving touchdowns (seven) this season.For Houston to “get hot,” the passing game and a ground attack led by Joe Mixon (1,016 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns) must keep the Chargers off balance. That’s no easy task against a Los Angeles front seven led by veterans Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.”Obviously, Bosa and Khalil have been good for a very long time,” Slowik said. “Played a lot of football and it shows on tape. Constant pressure, constant impact in the run game and what they do to edges.”Los Angeles (11-6) is in the playoffs in its first season under coach Jim Harbaugh, who returned to the NFL after spending nine years at the helm of his alma mater, Michigan.In Week 18, the Chargers seized an opportunity to move up to the AFC’s fifth seed, handling the host Las Vegas Raiders 34-20 behind 346 passing yards and two touchdowns from Justin Herbert.The Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals the night before created an opening for the Chargers, who stretched their winning streak to three games.Herbert quickly developed a rapport with rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey this season, whose 82 catches and 1,149 yards led the team. McConkey grabbed seven touchdown receptions, one behind teammate Quentin Johnston’s total.