If you want to be the best…
Last weekend, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley seemed to do everything he could to let the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Texans in what should have been an H-Town
blowout. Now, we all know the margin between good team and bad one in the NFL is pretty thin. But, there’s no way a competent offensive coordinator would struggle as much as Caley does. Especially with C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz, Nick Chubb and all the other weapons at his disposal.
Thankfully, Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke saved the day, again. Burke has this defense playing so well, his name is already in the mix for head coaching vacancies next year. At least the bright side of Caley’s 2025 performance is there’s very little to no chance any other team is going to try and steal him this off-season.
The entire masthead had a vent session on Caley already this week, so we’ll move along.
The Los Angeles Chargers are a far, far better team this season than their division rival Raiders. In fact, the Chargers have been a far better team than the Raiders for decades. Now, the Chargers have already clinched a playoff spot and the Denver Broncos have taken the AFC West crown. So, one might think the Chargers “have nothing to play for” and should rest starters.
However, that doesn’t seem likely.
And, like the Raiders, the Chargers have a stout defense. In fact, it’s Top 5 based on these stats:
Houston Texans defense: #1
Los Angeles Chargers defense: #5
The Chargers offense is currently putting up 345.5 yards per game and 23.3 points per game.
The Texans offense is landing 323.9 yards per game and 23.1 points per game.
Los Angeles’s defense is surrendering 283.1 yards per game and 20.1 point per game.
Houston’s defense is giving up 272.3 yards per game and 16.6 points per game.
LA has a +3 turnover differential, while H-Town has a +15.
Based on those stats, you have to give the edge to Houston in what will likely be a low-scoring, ugly, violent game.
Houston Texans week 17 stats
- TEXANS lead NFL in total defense (272.3 yards allowed per game) & scoring defense (16.6 points allowed per game) in 2025.
- QB C.J. STROUD completed 23 of 35 atts. (65.7 pct.) for 187 yards & TD in Week 16. Aims for his 6th in row on road with 200+ pass yards.
- RB JAWHAR JORDAN had 5 catches & 70 scrimmage yards (53 rush, 17 rec.) last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 70+ scrimmage yards.
- RB NICK CHUBB had 42 scrimmage yards (33 rush, 9 rec.) in Week 16. Had 170 scrimmage yards (161 rush, 9 rec.) & rush TD in his only career game at LAC (10/10/21 w/ Cle.).
- WR NICO COLLINS had 59 rec. yards last week. Aims for his 9th in row with 55+ rec. yards. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 on road. Had 3 catches for 82 yards in last meeting.
- WR CHRISTIAN KIRK had 37 rec. yards in Week 16. Had 6 catches for 72 yards & TD in his last game vs. LAC (9/25/22 w/ Jax.).
- TE DALTON SCHULTZ had 5 catches for 35 yards & TD last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches & TD catch. Has 5+ catches & 50+ rec. yards in 4 of his past 5 on road.
- DE WILL ANDERSON had sack in Week 16. Ranks 5th in NFL with 17 TFL this season. Has TFL in 10 of his past 11 & in each of his 7 games on road this season.
- DE DANIELLE HUNTER had sack last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with sack. Had 4 tackles, 2 TFL, sack & FF in his last game vs. LAC (9/24/23 w/ Min.).
- CB KAMARI LASSITER had 8 tackles & 2 PD in Week 16. Tied 5th-most PD in NFL this season (16). Has PD in 11 of his past 12, incl. 2 PD in each of his past 3.
- CB DEREK STINGLEY had FF & 31-yard INT-TD last week. Has PD in 2 of his past 3.
- S CALEN BULLOCK led team with 9 tackles in Week 16.
- S JALEN PITRE had 7 tackles & PD last week. Aims for his 5th in row with PD. Had 7 tackles & TFL in last meeting.
Anyone who doesn’t realize how scary talented, hungry and physical this Texans defense is in 2025 hasn’t been paying attention.
Los Angeles Chargers week 17 stats
- CHARGERS clinched playoff berth & qualified for postseason in back-to-back years for 1st time since 4 consecutive playoff appearances from 2006-09.
- QB JUSTIN HERBERT completed 23 of 29 atts. (79.3 pct.) for 300 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 132.8 rating & rushed for 42 yards & TD in Week 16. Surpassed HOFer Kurt Warner (30) for 3rd-most games ever with 300+ pass yards in 1st 6 seasons. Needs 302 pass yards to surpass HOFer Peyton Manning (24,885) for most pass yards in 1st 6 seasons all-time. Completed 27 of 39 atts. (69.2 pct.) for 340 yards & 2 TDs vs. 0 INTs with 113.2 rating in last meeting.
- RB OMARION HAMPTON (rookie) had 95 scrimmage yards (85 rush, 10 rec.) & rush TD last week. Has TD in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 7th in row with 65+ scrimmage yards.
- WR QUENTIN JOHNSTON had 4 catches for 104 yards & TD in Week 16. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3.
- WR LADD MCCONKEY had TD catch last week. Has TD catch in 3 of his past 4 at SoFi Stadium.
- WR KEENAN ALLEN had 5 receptions in Week 16. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ catches.
- LB KHALIL MACK has half sack in 4 of his past 5 at SoFi Stadium & has FF in 3 of his past 4 at SoFi Stadium. Aims for his 4th in row vs. Hou. with sack.
- LB TULI TUIPULOTU had 4 tackles, sack & 1st FR of season last week. Has sack in 3 of his past 4.
- LB DAIYAN HENLEY had 6 tackles in Week 16. Has PD in 2 of his past 3.
- CB BENJAMIN ST-JUSTE had 5 tackles & PD last week. Had PD in his only career games vs. Hou. (11/20/22 w/ Was.).
- S DERWIN JAMES had 6 tackles & FF in Week 16. Had 7 tackles & 2 PD in last meeting.
- S TONY JEFFERSON led team with 8 tackles last week. Has PD in 3 of his past 4.
Any defense with Khalil Mack shouldn’t be slept on. And this Chargers D is getting it done. Going against an OC like Caley must have them chomping at the bit.
But, once again, Texans playmakers gonna make plays.
Another key stat: Houston is on a 7-game win streak – the longest current streak in the league. Will that continue?
Houston Texans vs Los Angeles Chargers prediction
Houston Texans – 20
Los Angeles Chargers – 18
While the NFL continues to find ways to make it difficult for fans to watch the games, Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner and crew will call this one on the NFL Network. If you don’t have that channel in your steam pack, there’s likely a local bar showing it, since it’s the only Saturday afternoon game tomorrow.
