The Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) travel to Houston to take on the Houston Texans (10-7) on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The game is on CBS and by being on so-called free television should get wide viewership. It is a home game for Houston because they won the AFC South. The Chargers are the No. 5 seed, and the Texans are the No. 4 seed.
The game will be indoors, so weather will not be a factor. However, Winter Storm Cora dumped various wintry precipitation on Texas, so traveling to the game might be difficult. LA is favored in the matchup by 2.5 points and the over/under is 41.5. The Chargers and Texans have not played this year, so this will be a fresh matchup. Though the Chargers are favored slightly over the Texans, this game is a toss-up. This game is interesting because of the giant contrast that exists in it. Who will win?
Los Angeles Chargers’ Keys To Victory
The Chargers are on the road and should try to possess the ball with a good ground game. This will help to take the home crowd for the Texans out of the picture. The Chargers ranked ninth in the National Football League in time of possession, the Texans were fifth. The Chargers also need good quarterback play to complement their strong running game. If the Chargers can hit a couple of big pass plays it will help them. The Chargers do have a good quarterback, so this is possible. The Chargers should win this game if they make some big plays in the passing game.
The Chargers defense needs to play well and control the Texans. Finally, in the playoffs, it is imperative for road teams not to hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers. Both the Chargers and the Texans were +17 this season, so something will have to give.
LA Chargers’ Important Players
Los Angeles has a good quarterback in Justin Herbert. He must play well because the ball will be in his hands. To control the ball, an effective running game will need to occur. Chargers Running Back JK Dobbins, a Buckeye, will be essential. Dobbins may win the National Football League Comeback Player of the Year. He had a great season. That is ironic because he plays for the enemy. Jim Harbaugh is the Chargers coach. He coached the University of Michigan and is accused of cheating.
Can the Los Angeles defense keep the pressure on the Texans quarterback? Another Buckeye, Joey Bosa, will be important in answering this question. They cannot commit penalties or turnovers, so to a certain extent, every Chargers player is important.
Houston’s Keys To Victory
For the Houston Texans to win this game at home they need their quarterback, also a Buckeye, to not throw interceptions. The Texans need to get as many of their injured starters back as possible, though that may not happen. The offensive line needs to protect the quarterback in the face of a fierce LA pass rush.
It would be useful if the Texans were able to effectively rush the ball and if they utilized short passes like screen plays. The Texans defense must play well and the team needs to avoid turnovers, which at +17, is something they did well in the regular season.
Houston Texans’ Important Players
The most important player for the team is Quarterback C.J. Stroud. He must play well. When you add him to the Dobbins and Bosa, that makes three Buckeyes who are starting in this game. It does look like the injured Texans skill position plays will play, so that will help. Joe Mixon, the running back for the Texans, can help them control the clock. The Houston defense must play well, and on it is the fourth Ohio State graduate starting in this game Jeff Okudah. As a home underdog, Houston must avoid hurting itself with penalties, turnovers, and negative plays.
Conclusion
This game will be very close as there is a great contrast in this game that makes for a compelling storyline and makes the game worth watching. There are four starters, two on each team, who played football at Ohio State University. The coach of the Chargers is Jim Harbaugh, who was the head coach at rival Michigan. He is accused of cheating. That dichotomy alone is worthy of viewership.
