Chargers Host Texans With Offense in Freefall

A move to place offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in the broadcast booth aims to halt a 27-drive touchdown drought while Justin Herbert leads the league in interceptions.

Overview

The Chargers are the NFL’s only winless team at 0-7 and will host the 2-5 Texans in Week 9 on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles has gone 27 consecutive offensive drives without a touchdown, ranks last in points per game and EPA per play, and Justin Herbert has thrown 10 interceptions as the team leads the league with 17 turnovers.
Mike McDaniel will call plays from the broadcast booth in a tactical change intended to improve play‑calling and jump‑start an offense that has struggled throughout the season.
Houston enters as a narrow favorite despite a clear defensive slide this year and the presence of a dangerous pass rush led by Will Anderson Jr., who is tied for the league lead in sacks.
Key injuries are shaping the matchup: Texans running back David Montgomery and safety Reed Blankenship are out, and the Chargers list multiple players as out or questionable, a situation that could affect coaching decisions, roster moves and the teams’ longer-term plans.