Overview
- Kickoff is Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium, airing nationally on NFL Network with CBS carrying the game in the Los Angeles market.
- The Chargers have clinched a playoff berth, and a win would keep the AFC West title within reach with seeding implications still in play.
- Houston rides a seven-game winning streak and brings the league’s top-ranked defense after routing L.A. 32-12 in last season’s wild-card game.
- From Weeks 9–15 the Chargers allowed 28 sacks, setting up a pivotal test against a Texans pass rush that ranks among the NFL’s leaders.
- Oddsmakers price a close contest around Chargers -1.5 with totals near 39.5, as both sides manage injuries including CB Benjamin St-Juste (LAC, out) and LT Trent Brown (HOU, out).