Being an NFL schedule maker can’t possibly be an easy job. Obviously, the logistics will be a challenge no matter what season you’re trying to prepare. Stadiums are used for a lot of things, and planning for events and games can’t be easy. Sometimes they provide flex schedule games so that they can put bigger and better games in prime spots.
However, things also sometimes happen when two expectedly good teams end up bad, like today’s game between the Houston Texans and the Los Angeles Chargers.
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The Houston Texans come into this game with a 2-5 record, but if you’re going to pick either of these two teams to make the postseason, it is hard to pick against Houston. The Texans came in with a defense that was expected to be one of the best in the league. Houston has a young defense, but they are allowing 24.3 points per game. Their passing defense has been awful this season, allowing 244.0 yards per game. To make it even worse, they’ve faced about half good and half bad quarterbacks.
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C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans looks to pass the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 7, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Sure, they faced Josh Allen and Joe Burrow in the first two weeks. They also faced Dak Prescott in Week 4 of the season. However, they’ve also faced Daniel Jones, Cam Ward, and JJ McCarthy. They played Trevor Lawrence in London as well. It just doesn’t seem to add up why they are struggling so much this season. The offense isn’t giving them much to work with. They have the fourth-worst running game in football, but they have one of the best passing offenses.
The Los Angeles Chargers are not going to make the postseason, and honestly, they are probably closer to blowing up the team than they are to anything else. This has been the biggest disaster, and, arguably, the most confusing team of the entire season. The Chargers are 0-7 to start the season, and even a Bye Week didn’t help them get ready enough for last week. Their offense has been terrible; their defense hasn’t been impressive.
Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers throws a pass in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 2, 2025. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Justin Herbert, a guy that people expected to be among the best in the league with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniels, has regressed significantly. Herbert has five touchdown passes and 10 interceptions this season. He hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in the past two games, but has completed three passes to the other team. The Chargers are going on 10 straight quarters without a touchdown. They’ve only scored a touchdown in one of the past 12 quarters they’ve played. It has been embarrassing.
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Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers look on before a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., on Aug. 20, 2026. (Getty Images)
I think this game is likely to be a bit higher scoring than what we see on the total of 40.5. The Texans can put up 20+ points against the Chargers. Los Angeles hasn’t scored, but for whatever reason, the Texans can’t really stop anyone. I think Los Angeles might even win this game, but backing them is scary. I’m going to take the over 40.5 here. Eventually, we will see something out of the offense, and I think the Texans will do enough. Give me the over.
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