Is anything going to change in Los Angeles - at least on the offensive side of the ball? Harbaugh isn't going anywhere in the near future, McDaniel is somewhat surprisingly still employed and Herbert is not about to get benched. The Chargers don't have any other realistic options at QB even if they were tempted to let their former first-round pick ride the pine for a while. With the same players and the same coaches, there is no reason to expect any improvement in the near future. With an offense averaging 14.1 ppg facing a talented defense, things will probably remain ugly this weekend. As such, my Texans vs Chargers prediction is Under 40.5.
The Texans are also unlikely to light up the scoreboard. CJ Stroud is evoking memories of his rookie year with an 11-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2026, but there is so semblance of a running game in Houston. This team is #29 in the NFL in rushing offense at 84.7 yards per game. Its 3.6 yards per carry are also #29. This should be a relatively favorable matchup for the Chargers' defense, because one thing they can do is contain the pass. They are seventh in passing defense and have surrendered only eight touchdowns through the air. Houston probably won't have to push the pace, either, because the likely game script calls it for it to jump out to an early lead and then run the clock and play dominant defense.
Texans vs Chargers prediction: Under 40.5 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable to 39.5.
The Los Angeles Chargers (0-7) are still searching for their first win of the season when they host the Houston Texans (2-6) on Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles is the last winless team in the entire NFL, and it is a distinction that is fully deserved. I mean, this team stinks. The Bolts have gotten clobbered by double digits four times and have not lost by fewer than six points all year long. In other words, they are pretty much an automatic fade - especially when they are getting only 4.5 points. As such, my Texans vs Chargers prediction is for the visitors to win and cover.
There were high hopes for LA's offense when the 2026 campaign began with coordinator Mike McDaniel and quarterback Justin Herbert. Instead, head coach Jim Harbaugh's squad is dead last in the league in scoring (14.1 ppg), #28 in total yards and fourth-to-last in turnover margin (-6). Now LA has to face a Houston defense that was amazing last season and certainly still has the personnel to return to that level even though the unit has struggled so far this year. The good news is that the Texans are in a fantastic spot this week. They are coming off a bye, and they have been playing solid football in recent weeks after starting 0-5. Houston has won two of its last three contests – including over Jacksonville – with only an overtime loss to the 4-2-1 Giants during this stretch. Even on the road (it’s not like the Chargers have any palpable home-field advantage), head coach DeMeco Ryans’ outfit should be able to beat the worst team in the league by at least a touchdown. Let's back the Texans with a boatload of confidence.
Texans vs Chargers prediction: Houston -4.5 (-114) available at time of publishing. Playable to -6.5 (-110).
