Texans vs. Chargers Prediction, Spread, Week 9 NFL Picks – Sunday, November 8

The Texans will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers in a game that kicks off on Sunday, November 8, at 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS. According to PrizePicks, the Texans are 5.5-point road favorites on the spread.

Houston is coming off its bye after winning two of the last three as it attempts to turn around the season. The Chargers are still looking for their first win as the season continues to plummet.

Below, we’ll break down our Texans vs. Chargers prediction, followed by player projections via PrizePicks.

Make your Texans vs. Chargers picks on PrizePicks now! 

{{nfl_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Texans vs. Chargers Prediction, Spread, Over/Under for NFL Week 9 – Sunday, November 8

The Texans are a 5.5-point road favorite with a 1.38x payout to win outright, compared to the Chargers' 2.94x payout.

Here are the full payouts for the Texans vs. Chargers on PrizePicks, including winner payouts, the spread, and the over/under. PrizePicks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change. 

Make your Texans vs. Chargers prediction on the spread on PrizePicks.

All stats are via NFL Next Gen Stats, FTN Fantasy, and PFF unless otherwise noted.

With the trade deadline just days away, this game could determine which direction each team heads for the rest of the season.

The Texans are in a familiar situation. Last year, they started the season 3-5, and that was when they hit a turning point, winning nine straight to earn a Wild Card berth. 

The difference between that 2025 team and this year’s team is that last season had a defense that could carry.

Last year, the Texans were second in points allowed per game (17.4), defensive success rate (39.5%), and EPA allowed per play (-0.10). This season, the defense has regressed significantly, ranking ninth in defensive success rate (42.0%), 18th in points allowed per game (24.3), and 23rd in EPA allowed per play (+0.05).

The Texans’ offense may have to carry this team, and with how QB C.J. Stroud has performed, they might be able to. Stroud is in a contract year and is playing like he wants to be the highest-paid at his position.

He’s been showing off his explosive arm, ranking second in average depth of target per pass (9.1). Plus, the former first-round pick has been exceptional on deep passes, ranking seventh in passing yards (366) and eighth in pass EPA (+15.9) on 20+ air-yard attempts.

He’s also maintained strong ball security, with an 11-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio, and is one of two quarterbacks in the NFL with 10 or more passing TDs and 2 or fewer INTs. If the Texans want to make a late-season run, he needs to play like a franchise quarterback.

The Texans need a semblance of a run game, as they rank 29th in yards per carry (3.6).

Focused on today's matchup, Houston's defense needs to consistently pressure Chargers QB Justin Herbert, and with EDGEs Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who have combined for 11.5 sacks, it can just do that.

Facing a team with a losing record could give the Chargers a chance to finally win. They are the only team in the league without a win, but their schedule has been brutal, facing 2025 playoff teams in three of their last four games, including the defending champions Seahawks.

The offense has been especially poor and ranks among the worst in football. They are last in points per game (14.1), EPA per play (-0.23), and first-down rate (24.0%).

The Chargers hired Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator to elevate this offense, but it has had the exact opposite effect. 

Los Angeles had a $46.3 million cap hit from QB Justin Herbert this season, yet he ranks among the worst quarterbacks in the NFL, ranking 21st in completion rate (61.8%), 30th in turnover-worthy throw rate (6.1%), and 31st in passing success rate (35.8%).

The run game hasn’t found consistency, likely because McDaniel hasn't established a primary running back. RBs Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell, and Kamani Vidal have each led in snaps in multiple games. 

Coach Jim Harbaugh seems to be putting his imprint on this offense, as he announced this week that Hampton will get more touches. Hopefully, allowing their former first-round running back to get into a rhythm could help establish the run game and take pressure off Herbert.

If Herbert can play turnover-free football and the Chargers' defense can pressure Stroud without blitzing, they could secure their first win of the year.

{{nfl_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Texans vs. Chargers Prediction on the Spread for NFL Week 9 – 11/8/26

Here are the key stats and predictions behind our Texans vs. Chargers prediction on the spread for Sunday, November 8.

• The Texans could dominate the turnover battle, with the fewest giveaways in the league (3), while the Chargers have the most (17).
• Houston's pass defense has generated 21 sacks, the seventh most in the league. The Chargers have allowed 23 sacks, the second most.
• Los Angeles’ defense fails to generate pressure, ranking 23rd in pressure rate (20.6%). The Texans’ offensive line keeps the pocket clean, ranking fifth in pressure rate allowed (18.7%).
• The Texans’ offense is strong on early downs, ranking seventh in EPA per play on first and second down (+0.07). The Chargers are 19th in EPA allowed per play on first and second down (+0.02).
• The Texans' defense places ninth in defensive success rate (42.0%), while the Chargers are last in offensive success rate (36.0%).

Lock in your Texans vs. Chargers prediction on PrizePicks!

Texans vs. Chargers Picks, Player Stats for PrizePicks: 11/8/26

Here are the top Texans vs. Chargers picks to target on Sunday, November 8. Today’s NFL picks for PrizePicks include RB Woody Marks and QB Justin Herbert.

Texans RB Woody Marks vs. Chargers: 60.5 Rush Yards

• The Chargers have allowed running backs to rush for at least 73 yards in four of their past five games.
• With RB David Montgomery out for this game due to injury, Marks could see another heavy workload. He has had at least 15 carries in each of his last three games.
• Opponents tend to run against the Chargers because Los Angeles allows the fourth-most rushing attempts per game (30.3).
•  The Chargers struggle to stop runners behind the line of scrimmage, ranking 28th in stuff rate (17.6%).

Add Woody Marks + Texans to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert vs. Texans: 208.5 Pass Yards

• The Texans rank 29th in passing yards allowed per game (244.0). Herbert has faced only one opponent ranked worse than the Texans (the Bills, 30th), and he threw for 226 yards against Buffalo.
• Despite leading the league with 10 INTs, Herbert could still play a clean game, as the Texans’ 3 INTs are the third fewest this season.
• Since Week 6, Herbert is sixth in completion percentage over expected (+2.8%). Houston ranks 21st in opponents’ completion percentage over expected (+1.1%).
• Herbert could have plenty of opportunities to get receivers open, as the Texans' defense allows an open receiver on 59.5% of snaps, which is 15th in the NFL.

Add Justin Herbert + Chargers to your PrizePicks lineup now.

{{gobbyandgobby_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}

Make Texans vs. Chargers Picks on PrizePicks

The Chargers have been one of the more disappointing teams this year, and as the season hits the halfway mark, they still haven’t won. They’ll take on the Texans, who have also had a rough start and are looking to change their trajectory and make a playoff push. Who gets back on track?

Don’t wait until kickoff — make your Texans vs. Chargers picks on PrizePicks to win real money if you're right. Just pick your players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in on your predictions when you're right.

With PrizePicks Team Picks, make your predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders — or combine one with players for even higher payouts.

Stay locked in on Playbook for daily NFL news, picks, and news every day, all the way through Super Bowl LXI.