Texans vs. Chargers Point Spread: NFL Week 17 Odds, Prediction
The first game of an NFL Saturday doubleheader in Week 17 is a big one in the AFC playoff race as the Houston Texans visit the Los Angeles Chargers, who are -2.5 with a small total of 39.5 points on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Neither Houston nor Los Angeles has clinched a playoff spot yet but both are in very good shape and both could still win their respective divisions. Houston sits a game behind first-place Jacksonville in the AFC South and is +350 to win that. Those clubs are done meeting this regular season with the Texans hosting Indianapolis in Week 18, and the Colts are likely eliminated from playoff contention by then. Houston holds down the AFC’s final Wild-Card spot currently and is -10000 for extra football with no at +2200.
The Chargers sit a game behind first-place Denver in the AFC West and are +240 to win that. Those clubs play in the Mile High City in Week 18. The top seed in the conference is still in play for Los Angeles but a +2500 longer shot. It is -20000 for the playoffs with No at +6000.
These are two good defensive clubs with Houston leading the league in scoring defence at 16.6 points per game and Los Angeles in the Top 10 at 20.1 PPG. The teams have met 10 times overall and the Chargers lead 6-4. That includes one playoff matchup, a 32-12 Houston home win on Jan. 11, 2025, in the Wild-Card round. Justin Herbert was picked off a career-high four times, one returned for a TD.
Houston Texans
Houston, which opened the season at 0-3, won a seventh straight game Sunday if not playing all that great in taking down an awful Las Vegas Raiders team, 23-21. The Texans didn’t score an offensive touchdown until 7:41 remaining in the game, and that usually stellar defence allowed 21 points to the last-ranked scoring (14 points per game entering Sunday) and total offence (244 YPG entering). C.J. Stroud threw a touchdown pass, and Derek Stingley returned an interception for a score. This marks the club’s longest winning streak since a nine-game run in 2018, and it’s the longest active streak in the league with Denver’s 11-game run ending on Sunday. The Texans would become the seventh team in NFL history to reach the playoffs after starting 0-3. Good-looking rookie running back Woody Marks and starting middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair were out injured Sunday. Houston is 4-1 ATS in its past five.
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles played one of its best games of the season per coach Jim Harbaugh on Sunday in a 34-17 win at Dallas, the team’s fourth straight victory. The offence had a season-high 452 yards while using essentially the fifth and sixth-string tackles due to injury. Justin Herbert had just six incompletions while throwing for 300 yards and two scores and rushing for another. It was Herbert’s sixth career game with at least 300 passing yards, two pass TDs and a rush score but first since 2021. It was Herbert’s 31st career 300-yard passing game, tying him with Josh Allen for the second-most in the NFL since Herbert entered the league 2020. Wideout Quentin Johnston had four catches for 104 yards and a one-handed touchdown reception after missing the previous game with a groin injury. Meanwhile, it was the fourth game in a row that coordinator Jesse Minter’s defence allowed fewer than 20 points, and it came against one of the league’s top offences. Minter has been mentioned for the opening at Michigan as well as a potential 2026 NFL head coaching candidate. Los Angeles is 5-1 ATS in its past six.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Texans vs. Chargers?
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HOU
LAC