Texans vs. Chargers picks, predictions ahead of crucial Week 17 showdown

Mike Moraitis

Texans vs. Chargers picks, predictions ahead of crucial Week 17 showdown image

Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers will do battle at SoFi Stadium in the first of two Saturday games in Week 17.

While the Chargers have clinched their postseason berth, they still have something to play for over the next two weeks. The Chargers are still in contention for both the AFC West title and No. 1 seed in the conference.

In order to secure the AFC West title, the Chargers have to win out and the Denver Broncos must lose their final two games, one of which comes against the Chargers (Week 18).

The same scenario with Denver applies to the No. 1 seed in the conference, but the Chargers also need the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars to lose one of their two final contests.

As for the Texans, they still need to clinch their playoff berth, something they can do with a win on Saturday or an Indianapolis Colts loss on Sunday. Houston is holding on to the final wild-card spot going into this contest.

The Texans are also in the running for the AFC South crown still, but will need help from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston must win its final two games and the Jags must drop both of theirs for the Texans to win the division title.

Ahead of what is a huge game for both teams, here's who experts believe will win the contest between Houston and Los Angeles.

Texans vs. Chargers picks, predictions

Vinnie Iyer, AllSportsPeople: Texans 24, Chargers 23

Iyer: "The Chargers are back on track with their offense, finding more of a running game to open things up for Justin Herbert. But here the problem can be the Texans' pass rush and a defense that gave Herbert all kinds of problems in last year's playoffs. C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins lead the Texans' passing game to better things late."

Bill Bender, AllSportsPeople: Chargers 20, Texans 17

Bender: "The Texans beat the Chargers 32-12 in the AFC Wild card matchup last season, but that was a road game for Los Angeles. The Chargers have allowed 15.8 points per game the last four weeks, a touch less than the Texans at 16.8 points per game. DeMeco Ryans and Jim Harbaugh love these games."

ESPN

  • Stephania Bell: Chargers
  • Matt Bowen: Texans
  • Mike Clay: Chargers
  • Jeremy Fowler: Texans
  • Dan Graziano: Chargers
  • Kalyn Kahler: Chargers
  • Pamela Maldonado: Chargers
  • Eric Moody: Texans
  • Jason Reid: Texans
  • Lindsey Thiry: Chargers
  • Seth Wickersham: Texans

MMQB

  • Clare Brennan: Chargers
  • Mitch Goldich: Texans
  • Gilberto Manzano: Texans
  • Conor Orr: Chargers
  • John Pluym: Chargers
  • Matt Verderame: Texans

CBS Sports

  • Pete Prisco: Chargers
  • Jared Dubin: Chargers
  • Ryan Wilson: Chargers
  • John Breech: Chargers
  • Tyler Sullivan: Texans
  • Dave Richard: Chargers
  • Jamey Eisenberg: Chargers

Number of experts picking Chargers: 17

Number of experts picking Texans: 9

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