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The Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans will open the Wild Card Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs this Saturday, January 11 at NRG Stadium.
For Jim Harbough’s first year as head coach of the Chargers, the franchise makes its return to the playoffs.
Emerging from an exceptionally tough AFC West this year, with three teams qualifying for the playoffs, the Chargers enter their Wild Card matchup brimming with confidence.
The Texans, on the other hand, secured the AFC South title for the second consecutive year, despite a more challenging season in many aspects. They managed to win key games against divisional rivals but often struggled against higher-caliber opponents (Chiefs, Ravens, Lions), winning only one game all season against a playoff-qualified team.
Let’s dive in our Chargers vs Texans prediction.
• Date: Saturday, Jan. 11th
• Time: 4:30 pm ET
• Venue: NRG Stadium in Houston, TX
• Broadcast: Watch live on CBS
After a stellar 2023 NFL season, the Houston Texans’ offense has cooled off considerably this year. Plagued by numerous key absences, particularly at the receiver position, the Texans’ offense has struggled to produce, which could prove costly in these NFL playoffs.
They currently rank only 22nd in the regular season for average yards gained per game, insufficient to make a serious dent in the AFC.
Similarly, the Los Angeles Chargers have seen some of the same challenges, but with a twist: this season, they are leaning on an exceptionally strong defense, a significant shift from last year. While their front seven isn’t as dominant as the Texans’, their secondary has been excellent, boasting the league’s 7th-best pass defense heading into the playoffs.
The Chargers also excel at bending without breaking, allowing an average of just 17.7 points per game—the best mark in the NFL.
However, like the Texans, the Chargers’ offense appeared to slow down this season. Despite the brilliance of the Justin Herbert–Ladd McConkey duo, the offense as a whole has lacked consistency.
A glaring issue has been their inability to score in second halves, averaging just over 10 points in the final 30 minutes of games. This flaw could become a liability in the NFL playoffs.
Despite these concerns, the Chargers seem to be the favorites in this matchup.
• Chargers Offense: Averaging 280 passing yards per game (4th in the NFL), Justin Herbert has been pivotal in moving the chains. He will face a Texans defense ranked 28th against the pass, allowing 245 yards per game.
• Texans Run Game: If Dameon Pierce is healthy, he could be the X-factor. The Texans have averaged 4.3 yards per carry this season, while the Chargers’ run defense has struggled, ranking 26th in yards allowed per game.
• Turnovers: The Texans rank in the top 10 for takeaways, with 23 on the season, while the Chargers have had issues with ball security, turning the ball over 22 times.
Credit Photo : Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
