LA Chargers (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7)
When: Saturday 1:25 pm
Where: NRG Stadium
TV: CBS-2 (Los Angeles), CBS-8 (San Diego), Paramount/NFL+ (streaming)
Radio: Los Angeles: KYSR-FM (98.7), LA Spanish: 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (LA Spanish)
Line: Chargers by -3
Notable injury designations:
Chargers: OUT: WR Joshua Palmer (foot). Doubtful: CB Ja’Sir Taylor (rib). Questionable: RB JK Dobbins (ankle), CB Eli Apple (hamstring), WR Simi Fehoko (elbow), WR Quentin Johnston (illness/thigh), LB Denzel Perryman (groin), G Trey Pipkins (oblique).
Texans: OUT: G Shaq Mason (knee). Questionable: DE Denico Autry (knee), LB Christian Harris (ankle), WR John Metchie III (shoulder), TE Teagan Quitoriano (calf).
What's at stake? Advancing in the playoffs, but for the Chargers their last playoff appearance was that horrendous blunder against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They need the victory to erase that from their minds. Plus, it would be a win in the first year under Jim Harbaugh.
Who's better? Chargers. If the Texans were fully healthy it would be more of a toss up but right now the Chargers are rolling.
Matchup to watch: Chargers tackles vs. Texans edge rushers. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson jr. are one of the best pass rushing duos that are about to face one of the best tackle duos in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. It is going to be a gladiator matchup.
Chargers win if: Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Tuli Tulipulotu and Bud Dupree make CJ Stroud’s 60 minutes miserable. The pass rush is what dictates everything for the defense. If they get consistent pressure then Stroud will commit mistakes. Also, they need to help set the edge to slow down running back Joe Mixon.
Fantasy sleeper: Jk Dobbins. This seems like a game where Dobbins could have a big run or two.
Prediction: This game is going to be tougher than ESPN’s Rex Ryan predicted. At the end of the day, the Chargers are playing well and it will continue. Chargers 24 Texans 17