The Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) and Houston Texans (10-7) play the first game of NFL Wild Card Weekend on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Chargers are 3-point road favorites on the spread over the Texans; the game total is set at 42.5 points. The Chargers are -160 moneyline favorites and the Texans are +135 underdogs.
Let’s get into our Chargers vs. Texans predictions, props and parlay.
Chargers vs. Texans Predictions
- Against the Spread: Texans +3 (-115)
- Over/Under Pick: Under 42.5 (-110)
- Player Props: Quentin Johnston Anytime Touchdown (+240)
Chargers vs. Texans Odds
- Spread: Chargers -3 (+100), Texans +3 (-120)
- Total: 42.5 (-110/-110)
- Moneylines: Chargers -160, Texans +135
Odds via bet365. Get the latest NFL odds here.
Chargers vs. Texans Parlay
You can parlay our three picks here for a +1600 Chargers–Texans same-game parlay at DraftKings.
You get such a high number because we're combining the under and a touchdown scorer on the team we're betting against. This is a strong anti-correlation parlay.
- Texans +3 (-115)
- Under 42.5 (-112)
- Quentin Johnston Anytime Touchdown (+205)
Chargers vs. Texans SGP: +1600
Chargers vs. Texans Preview
Just one season removed from the nightmare that was Brandon Staley, the Chargers find themselves back in the playoffs under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Justin Herbert thrived despite lacking a true No. 1 receiving option, leaning on the likes of rookie Ladd McConkey and second-year wideout Quentin Johnston.
The Texans enter Wild Card Weekend as by far the least impressive division winner. C.J. Stroud struggled in his sophomore season as he dealt with a number of injuries to his pass-catchers (Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, Tank Dell). Nonetheless, the Texans have home-field advantage and will look to notch a Wild Card win for the second straight postseason.
Chargers vs. Texans Spread Pick
By Stuckey
I think this will be a low-scoring game so getting the Texans +3 is huge. I’d play that up to -120.
I’m still concerned with the Texans. They finished the regular season with a point differential of zero (zilch, nada) and were 31st offensively in early down success rate. They’ve also turned the ball over more than I’d like to see and are facing a quarterback who doesn’t commit too many turnovers in Justin Herbert.
I still believe in C.J. Stroud, who has a go-to guy in Nico Collins. I think the Texans will be able to run the ball against a cautious Chargers defense — though L.A.'s defense is absolutely an elite unit. The Texans have dealt with some key injuries and I’m curious how Houston will match up with Chargers rookie sensation Ladd McConkey in the slot.
I can’t get to this number, though. I have this as closer to a coin flip, so getting a field goal with the home team is a no-brainer.
I get the Texans have many flaws, but their defense has been very good this season and could thrive in this one.
Wild Card Weekend has generally been good to underdogs. Since 2017, underdogs are 24-12 against the spread, and home 'dogs are 10-3-2 against the number over the past 10 years.
Pick: Texans +3 (-115)
Chargers vs. Texans Over/Under Prediction
By Billy Ward
