TEXANS (10-5) at CHARGERS (11-4)
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: KCBS (Ch. 2); 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 1½ points
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: WR Derius Davis (ankle), S RJ Mickens (shoulder), OL Jamaree Salyer (hamstring), CB Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder); QUESTIONABLE: RG Mekhi Becton (knee), DL Teair Tart (groin), RB Kimani Vidal (neck).
Texans: OUT: T Trent Brown (ankle/knee), LB Jamal Hill (calf/wrist); QUESTIONABLE: CB Ajani Carter (hamstring), T Aireontae Ersery (thumb), DE Darnell Taylor (ankle), WR Justin Watson (calf).
What’s at stake? The Chargers have clinched an AFC wild-card berth, but they hold their fate in their hands going into the final two weeks of the regular season. If they defeat the Texans and then the Denver Broncos in their regular-season finale, then they would become AFC West champions for the first time since 2009, when they won the last of four consecutive division titles. What’s more, the Chargers could claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC if they win their final two and other scenarios fall their way. The Broncos are currently the conference’s top-seeded team.
Who’s better? The Chargers have the better record and the oddsmakers favor them by a slight margin, so who are we to disagree? One week after dismantling one of the NFL’s worst defenses during a 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the Chargers face one of the league’s best defenses in the Texans. Houston is first in fewest points given up (16.6 points per game) and fewest net yards allowed (272.3 per game). The Chargers might still have nightmares about the way the Texans controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage during a 32-12 wild-card playoff victory that ended their season last January. The Texans intercepted Justin Herbert four times in the game, a career high.
Matchup to watch: The Chargers’ offensive line didn’t give up a sack in Week 16 for the first time in a game this season. The Cowboys barely laid a hand on Herbert, which helped to explain his 300-yard, two-touchdown game, his most productive game since fracturing his left, non-throwing hand on Nov. 30 against the Las Vegas Raiders and undergoing surgery the next day. The Texans’ defensive front is one of the best in the league and presents a difficult test for the Chargers’ offensive line that is without top tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater because of season-ending injuries.
Chargers win if: Herbert doesn’t need an exceptional amount of time to pick out his receivers, but he does need something more than a nanosecond in the pocket to deliver his throws. But it’s not all about the Chargers’ ability to protect Herbert. They also must apply pressure to Texans quarterback and former Rancho Cucamonga High star C.J. Stroud, who directs an offense that isn’t as efficient as the Chargers’ offense. The Chargers sacked Stroud three times in the playoff game, and he completed a modest 22 of 33 passes. But his completions went for 282 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Nico Collins caught seven of Stroud’s passes for 122 yards and one touchdown. The Chargers can’t afford a repeat.
Fantasy sleeper: Running back Omarion Hampton has been on the rise since his extended layoff because of a fractured left ankle Oct. 5 against the Washington Commanders. He and Kimani Vidal have provided the Chargers’ offense with an added dimension during the past few games. Hampton rushed for 85 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries against the Cowboys.
Prediction: The Chargers haven’t played flawless football since their bye in Week 12, but they have found different ways to win during their four-game winning streak. It’s a great trait to have entering the regular season’s final days. They’ll need to be resourceful again. Chargers 20, Texans 17.