The Los Angeles Chargers fell two games behind Kansas City in the AFC West after last week’s home overtime loss. Since they’re one of four non-division leaders in the conference with an 8-6 record, LA’s visit to Houston is a huge game with obvious post-season implications. The Texans have long since been eliminated from that scenario as the Texans are seeing where they land in the draft.
Houston have the worst home record in the AFC at 1-5, while the Chargers are 4-2 on the road.
The Chargers have won five of the last seven games against Houston.
The Chargers (+1600) are tied for the sixth-best odds to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
- Game: Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) at Houston Texans (3-11)
- Location: NRG Stadium
- Day/Time: Sunday, December 26, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Television: CBS
Chargers vs Texans
Betting Lines
| Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
| LA Chargers | -10 (-110) | -450 | 46 (-110o) |
| Houston | +10 (-110) | +350 | 46 (-110u) |
Head-to-Head
The Chargers were three-point favorites according to the NFL betting lines over the visiting Texans when the teams last met September 22, 2019.
Two Keenan Allen touchdown catches gave the Chargers a 17-7 lead at halftime, but Houston used a Carlos Hyde touchdown run and a pair of Jordan Akins TD receptions en route to a 27-20 win, snapping a six-game losing streak to the Chargers.
The game went just under the 49-point total. It was the second consecutive game in the series to go under the total.
Los Angeles Chargers
Next game: vs. Denver
Last Game
The Los Angeles Chargers were listed by the NFL picks against the spread as three-point underdogs against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chargers overcame an early 10-point deficit to to take a fourth-quarter lead. Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce caught a touchdown pass with 1:16 left in regulation, forcing overtime. He then had another TD with 8:45 remaining in overtime to give the Chiefs a 34-28 win and that cushion in the AFC West.
The game went over the 54-point total on the first of Kelce’s touchdown grabs. It was the third straight Chargers’ game to go over the total.
Injury Report
Defensive backs Alohi Gilman (quad), Asante Samuel Jr. (concussion) and Derwin James (hamstring), tight end Donald Parham (concussion) are questionable. Defensive ends Joey Bosa and Joe Gaziano, defensive backs Tevaughn Campbell, Trey Marshall and Kemon Hall, receiver Andre Roberts, offensive lineman Corey Linsley, linebacker Chris Rumph and quarterback Chase Daniel are on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Linebacker Kyler Fackrell (knee) is on injured reserve.
Chargers vs. Texans injury report: Asante Samuel Jr., Alohi Gilman trending towards returnhttps://t.co/I2HdF7YZi2
— Chargers Wire (@TheChargersWire) December 23, 2021
Houston Texans
Next game: at San Francisco
Last Game
The visiting Houston Texans were six-point underdogs according to the Las Vegas odds against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ka’imi Fairbairn had field goals of 52 and 51 yards, helping to give Houston a 10-point lead at halftime. Jacksonville pulled within seven points early in the fourth quarter, but Brandin Cooks’ 43-yard touchdown reception with 2:22 to clinch Houston’s third win of the season.
That touchdown put the game over the 40-point total, the second consecutive Houston game to go over the total.
Injury Report
Defensive backs Jimmy Moreland (foot) and Justin Reid (concussion) are questionable. Quarterback Jeff Driskel (collarbone) is doubtful. Receivers Danny Amendola (knee) and Davion Davis (leg) and linebacker Hardy Nickerson (concussion) are on injured reserve. Defensive backs Terrence Brooks, A.J. Moore and Terrance Mitchell, defensive linemen Maliek Collins, Jaleel Johnson, Derek Rivers and Jonathan Greenard, linebackers Christian Kirksey and Kamu Grugier-Hall, running back David Johnson and offensive linemen Justin McCray and Lane Taylor are on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Betting on the Game
Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert is fourth in the NFL with 4058 passing yards. His completion percentage, yards per game and touchdown numbers are almost identical to his impressive rookie campaign. He has helped the Chargers become the No. 4-ranked offense in the NFL, first among teams not leading a division.
Los Angeles is No. 27 and Houston No. 29 in scoring defense, so this game has a chance to have some points scored.
Injuries are starting to pile up in the Charger secondary, but can a mediocre Houston passing offense take advantage?
Only Jacksonville has scored fewer points than Houston’s 207 this season.
Mark Ingram, who played just seven games with Houston before being traded to New Orleans, remains the Texans’ leading rusher with 294 yards.
Those who bet online might be interested to know that the Chargers have covered in six of the last seven games against Houston.
The Chargers have covered in six of their last eight games on the road.
The total has gone under in eight of Houston’s last 12 games,
