- The Texans are a 2.5-point home underdog against the Chargers.
- Houston is 9-6 ATS as a market underdog under DeMeco Ryans.
- My Texans vs. Chargers prediction focuses on the pregame over/under.
For the second straight season, the Texans begin their playoff campaign as home underdogs. This time, the opponent is the Chargers.
Houston’s playoff seeding has long been determined after they clinched the division weeks ago. In Week 18, the Texans captured a convincing win as short road dogs against the Texans.
Los Angeles’ positive form continued in Week 18 with a blowout win over the Raiders. Jim Harbaugh’s side enters the wild-card round on a three-game winning streak.
Bet on Texans vs. Chargers and other NFL matchups with up-to-date NFL odds.
NFL Wild Card Odds: Texans vs. Chargers
Texans vs. Chargers Prediction
Based on the strength of both defenses and the sell-high spot on Los Angeles, my Texans vs. Chargers prediction is Under 44.5 Points (-110).
Los Angeles recorded a third straight 30-point game in Week 18. However, the wild-card round marks a major upgrade in defensive competition.
Houston ranks second in defensive DVOA, having faced the 12th-hardest set of opposing offenses, per ftnfantasy.com.
The Chargers also run into a DeMeco Ryans-led squad that features a propensity for playing games that finish under the total.
Since last year, Ryans is 22-13-1 to the under in the regular and postseason.
But here’s the kicker: When the total closes north of 42 points, Ryans is 20-5-1 to the under, including 12-1 at home.
Bettors should also question how the Texans offense scores points against a strong Chargers defense.
Houston ranks 25th in offensive DVOA, having faced the fifth-easiest set of opposing defenses, per ftnfantasy.com.
Meanwhile, the Chargers rank 11th in defensive DVOA, albeit against the sixth-easiest set of opposing offenses.
While potential regression exists down the road on the Chargers defense, this week doesn’t rate out as such against a bad Texans offense.
As a result, take the under in Houston.
Betting Texans vs. Chargers: NFL Public Betting
Check back on Friday for Texans vs. Chargers public betting data and insights.
