Houston Texans (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (1-1 SU, 0-1-1 ATS)
One of the NFL’s exciting young guns goes up against a seasoned vet when DeShaun Watson and his Houston Texans take on Philip Rivers and his Los Angeles Chargers Sunday afternoon out in suburban Los Angeles. The Texans are coming off a tight win last week, while the Chargers are coming off a tough loss. Who do we like here for our free NFL pick?
NFL Betting Odds
Week 3’s NFL betting odds opened the Chargers at -3.5 over Houston, with an over/under of right around 49. Early betting action then dropped the hook off that spread.
Texans vs. Chargers Set-Up
Houston is 1-1 on the season, after holding off Jacksonville last week 13-12. The Texans led 3-0 early and 13-3 early in the fourth quarter, allowed the Jaguars to get within one point with 30 seconds to go but made a defensive stop on a two-point conversion attempt to secure the victory.
Unfortunately for Houston’s financial backers that late Jacksonville score cost them a push of the spread at -7.
On the day the Texans only produced 263 yards of total offense against a tough Jags defense. But Houston ran the ball for 126 yards, led by 90 by newcomer Carlos Hyde, and the defense held Jacksonville to 281 yards.
The Texans opened their season with a 30-28 loss at New Orleans. Houston led that game 7-0 early and 28-27 very late but lost it on a 58-yard field goal at the buzzer.
The Texans ran the ball for 180 that day, although the defense gave up 512 yards of Saints offense.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, is also 1-1 this season, after falling at Detroit last week 13-10. The Chargers led 7-0 early and 10-6 into the fourth quarter but fell behind on a Lions touchdown with seven minutes left. LA then squandered a chance at a game-winning field goal when Rivers threw a bad interception inside Detroit territory with just over a minute to go, on their way toward defeat.
On the day Los Angeles out-gained the Lions 424-339, out-rushed Detroit 137-94 and held a 31/29 edge in time of possession. But the Chargers also had two touchdowns negated by a penalty, lost a fumble at the Detroit 1-yard line, missed two field goals and threw that bad pick.
Los Angeles has been operating with its back-up kicker, but it’s hoped starter Michael Badgley will be back for Sunday.
The Chargers opened their season with a 30-24 overtime victory over Indianapolis. Los Angeles led that game 24-9 in the third quarter, allowed the Colts to rally and force OT, then won it by driving the opening possession of extra time 75 yards to a touchdown.
These two teams last met back in 2016, a 21-13 Chargers victory in Houston. Brock Osweiler quarterbacked the Texans that day and threw three interceptions.
NFL Betting Trends
- Houston is 15-9 SU, 13-8-3 ATS with Watson as the starter at quarterback.
- Home teams are just 16-16-1 SU, 11-21-1 ATS so far this NFL season.
- Underdogs are 12-20-1 SU and 19-13-1 ATS so far this NFL season.
Totals Report
- Totals are split 1-1 in Texans games this season, which have averaged 42 total points.
- Totals are split 1-1 in Chargers games this season, which have averaged 39 points.
- Unders played 13-3 in the NFL last week. So on the season, unders are 21-12.
- Get more details: Houston at San Diego NFL Match-up Stats
