In recent weeks, the NFL has been the gift that keeps on giving. This week's treat is yet another exciting Saturday doubleheader on December 27, kicked off with the Texans vs. Chargers.
Below, we'll break down our Texans vs. Chargers prediction for a Saturday NFL game between two of the NFL’s top 10 defenses in Week 17 with playoff implications on both sides. Plus, how these stellar defenses could impact our over/under pick for PrizePicks Team Picks — now in 30 states, including California.
The Texans, with a magic number of one, are right on the doorstep of securing a spot in the NFL Playoffs. All they need is one more win or Colts loss to secure their spot in the postseason.
They will have the opportunity to do just that by winning in Los Angeles vs. a Chargers team, which is in control of their own destiny.
The Chargers have not won the AFC West since 2009. However, with the Broncos' loss to the Jaguars in Week 16, the Chargers can now win the AFC West by going 2-0 in their last two games of the season.
The Texans vs. Chargers kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Inglewood, CA., live on NFL Network in NFL Week 17.
Texans vs. Chargers Over/Under, Spread for Saturday NFL Football
The Chargers opened the week as 3.5-point favorites vs. the Texans. Since then, they have moved to 2.5-point favorites on PrizePicks Team Picks.
As the current favorites, the Chargers return a 1.78x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Texans are road underdogs with a 1.96x payout if they win, via PrizePicks.
- Spread: Los Angeles Chargers -2.5 (1.96x payout)
- Over/Under: 39.5 (1.85x payout on over)
- Game Winner Payout: Texans 1.96x | Chargers 1.78x
Team Picks payouts are live as of publishing and are subject to change.
Texans vs. Chargers Prediction on Over/Under for Saturday NFL Football
The Texans vs. Chargers over/under opened the week at 43.5 and has since dropped to 39.5 as of writing, which ties for the third-lowest total on the Week 17 slate out of 16 games.
Below, we’ll give you a Texans vs. Chargers pick on the over/under for PrizePicks Team Picks in the Saturday NFL game. Use PrizePicks to make NFL picks and earn money if you’re right.
- The Chargers are 8-6-1 (57.1%) to the under this season, and 6-2 to the under in home games.
- The Texans are 9-5-1 (64.3%) to the under this season.
- Both the Texans and Chargers defenses are ranked in the top seven in expected points added per play (EPA). The Chargers are seventh-best at -.07, and the Texans are the best at -.13.
- The Texans have a massive DL > OL advantage. The Chargers' OL is PFF’s 31st-ranked, out of 32 teams. The Texans' DL is second in the NFL in pressure rate at 42.1%.
- The Chargers rank fifth in the NFL in sack percentage at 7.72%. The Texans' OL is PFF’s 23rd-ranked, out of 32 teams.
- The biggest advantage for both teams comes when the defense is on the field.
- The Chargers are the NFL’s second-slowest team in pace, ranking 31st in seconds per play at 31.1.
- The Texans are tied for the tenth-slowest team in pace, ranking 22nd in seconds per play at 30.1. The longer each play lasts means there are fewer plays per game, and fewer opportunities for offenses to put up points.
Injury Report for Texans vs. Chargers on Saturday
Both the Texans and Chargers have lengthy injury reports, but the key news for both sides comes on the offensive line.
Texans RT Trent Brown (ankle/knee) has been ruled out for Saturday’s game, while starting LT Aireontae Ersery (thumb) is listed as questionable. This could spell serious trouble for an already poor Texans OL going against a fierce Chargers pass rush that is fifth in the NFL in sack percentage (7.72%).
The Chargers will be without T Jamaree Salyer (hamstring), who, despite only ranking 56th out of 83 NFL tackles, has actually been the Chargers' best OL in recent weeks.
In addition to this, Chargers RG Mekhi Becton (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. As a reminder, the Texans have the NFL’s second-best pressure rate at 42.1%. Keyed by PFF’s third and fifth-highest rated edge rushers in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Make Saturday NFL Football Picks on PrizePicks
The Texans vs. Chargers game kicks off both an exciting Saturday doubleheader and an action-packed weekend of NFL football.
Both teams have a ton on the line, with the Texans needing a win to secure a spot in the NFL playoffs while the Chargers need to win out to win the AFC West for the first time in 16 years.
In the Texans vs. Chargers game in NFL Week 17, you can make picks on the winner, spread, and over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks. Just pick your side, lock in your pick, and earn money if you're right — now in 30 states, including California.
Keep it locked in here with PrizePicks and the Playbook for continued NFL picks, predictions, and news all season long.
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