The Los Angeles Chargers are coming into the playoffs with a head of steam while the Houston Texans seem like a wounded duck as they get ready to host a game in the Wild Card round on Saturday.
That could be why a good portion of NFL fans and analysts around the country are picking the Chargers to win.
The Chargers are a trendy pick but they can’t look past the Texans, who were in a similar position against the red-hot Cleveland Browns last year. The Texans mopped the Browns up in that game.
😡Rex Ryan says the Chargers have a BYE against the Texans.
Joe Mixon: “I’m just here to let my helmet and shoulder pads do the talking.”
🗣️I’m tellin’ you — DeMeco Ryans will use this with the team.
💡Can the Texans flip that switch?
⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0Ejqm22cQh— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) January 8, 2025
Who do the experts in the media pick to win this game and by what score? Here is a look at some of their thoughts.
NFL Wild Card expert picks: Chargers vs. Texans
Tyler Dragon, USA Today: Chargers 23, Texans 20
Dragon: “The Texans won the AFC South for the second year in a row, but they’ve lost two of their last three games.
Houston did end the regular season with a win, although, they beat up on the lowly Tennessee Titans.
The Chargers went from five wins in 2023 to the AFC’s No. 5 seed in Jim Harbaugh’s first year. Justin Herbert doesn’t have a playoff win on his resume. He has a prime opportunity to get a postseason victory in H-Town. Quentin Johnston is coming off a career game of 13 catches for 186 yards. The Chargers need him to be a reliable receiver if they want to make noise in the postseason. Los Angeles has the NFL’s top scoring defense.”
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Chargers 27, Texans 17
Cluff: “The Chargers have won three in a row and gave up an NFL-best 301 points this season. They will be able to outscore the Texans on the road, who interestingly scored 372 points this season, while also giving up 372 points.”
Bleacher Report: Chargers 26, Texans 20
Maurice Moton, B/R: “This isn’t the same Texans team that rose from the bottom of the AFC South to become a division winner last year. In 2023, they finished with the 13th-ranked scoring offense, led by Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud. This season, Houston has yet to score more than 23 points against a team with a winning record. That’s not going to change against Los Angeles’ No. 1-ranked scoring defense.
Furthermore, the Chargers offense is back on the right track with (J.K.) Dobbins returning from a knee injury two weeks ago. They enter the postseason with the 11th-ranked scoring offense and the second-fewest turnovers (nine).
Los Angeles should be able to pounce on a stagnant Houston squad and stay ahead by at least a touchdown with its stout defense.”
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Chargers 27, Texans 20
Iyer: “The Chargers are sizzling offensively with Justin Herbert unleashed, and that’s bad news in what can be a grinding duel with C.J. Stroud. Herbert’s weapons are clicking together, while the Texans’ injuries have left them short of having the needed pop. In a rather even match, former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh outwits former 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.”
Bill Bender, The Sporting News: Chargers 27, Texans 20
Bender: “Jim Harbaugh is back in the playoffs, and the Chargers are a road favorite at Houston. Keep in mind the Texans beat Cleveland as a road underdog in the wild-card round last season, and C.J. Stroud does have a better passer rating at home. Stroud, however, also has taken 52 sacks — the most of any quarterback.
Los Angeles will turn up the pressure defensively, and Justin Herbert will lead a high-percentage passing attack that has been better since the return of JK Dobbins. The Texans were 1-5 S/U as an underdog this season. The Chargers were 5-2 S/U when favored by three points or fewer.”
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