Texans at Chargers odds, picks and predictions

Dec. 26, 2025, 12:44 p.m. ET

The Houston Texans (10-5) and the LA Chargers (11-4) meet Saturday in Week 16 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (NFL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Texans vs. Chargers odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.

The Texans extended their winning streak to 7 games in Week 16 with a 23-21 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Houston failed to cover as 14-point home favorites as the Over 40 cashed. QB C.J. Stroud threw for 187 yards and a TD, connecting with TE Dalton Schultz for the score. K Ka’imi Fairbairn made 3 field goals.

The Chargers stayed hot in Week 16, rolling past the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 to win a fourth straight game. Los Angeles covered as 1.5-point road underdogs as the total (51) pushed. QB Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards and 2 TDs with 104 of those yards and a TD going to WR Quentin Johnston. Rookie RB Omarion Hampton added 86 rushing yards and a score.

The teams last met Jan. 11 in last season’s AFC Wild Card round, when Houston rolled to a 32-12 home win, covering as 2.5-point underdogs with the Over (42) cashing.

Watch the NFL on Fubo!Texans vs. Chargers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:43 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Texans +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Chargers -130 (bet $130 to win $100)Against the spread (ATS): Texans +2 (-110) | Chargers -2 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 39.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Texans vs. Chargers key injuries

Texans

OT Trent Brown (ankle/knee) outCB Ajani Carter (hamstring) questionableOT Aireontae Ersery (thumb) questionableLB Jamal Hill (calf/wrist) outDE Darrell Taylor (ankle) questionableWR Justin Watson (calf/Achilles) questionable

Chargers

G Mekhi Becton (knee) questionableWR Derius Davis (ankle) outS R.J. Mickens (shoulder) outOT Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) outCB Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder) outDL Teair Tart (groin) questionableRB Kimani Vidal (neck) questionableTexans vs. Chargers picks and predictionsPrediction

Chargers 17, Texans 13

BET CHARGERS (-130).

Both teams are hot, but I trust how Los Angeles is playing right now, especially at home. The Chargers have won 7 of their last 8 games and are getting better each week on both sides of the ball. They’ve allowed fewer than 20 points in 4 straight games and continue to be one of the most reliable teams in key situations.

The biggest edge for me is in the red zone. Houston has struggled there all season, ranking near the bottom offensively, and that’s a problem against a Chargers defense that ranks among the league’s best inside the 20. Los Angeles may not be explosive offensively, but it’s efficient, protects the football and converts third downs at a high rate.

Houston has won 7 straight, but last week’s narrow escape against the Raiders wasn’t convincing. The Texans moved the ball inconsistently and relied on mistakes to survive. On the road, against a disciplined Chargers team playing for playoff positioning, that’s a tough formula.

This feels like a tight, physical game, but Los Angeles’ situational advantages and home-field edge give them the upper hand. I’ll take the Chargers to get it done outright.

PASS.

If you want to take the Chargers giving the points to get the better odds, go for it. I don’t think those 2 points are worth the change in odds. I’ll stick with the moneyline.

BET UNDER 39.5 (-110).

Houston’s defense has been elite all season, and it shows up across the board — yards, points, pass coverage, takeaways, you name it. The Texans have stayed under the total in 9 of 15 games, and their offense hasn’t exactly been lighting it up lately. On the other side, the Chargers also bring a top-tier defense and have held every opponent under 20 points since Week 11. This feels like a grind-it-out rematch where both teams lean on defense, shorten the game, and make every score count. Under makes sense.

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Texans at Chargers odds, picks and predictions

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