The Houston Texans will play the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Kickoff is 1:05 PM PT, which is 4:05 PM ET, 9:05 PM GMT and 2:05 AM PKT on Monday. The game airs on CBS.
An 0-7 team hosting a 2-5 team is not the headline anyone expected when the schedule dropped. Yet here we are. The Los Angeles Chargers are searching for their first win, the Houston Texans are fresh off a bye and trying to rescue a shaky season, and the Chargers vs Texans match player stats tell a story with more twists than the records suggest.
This guide puts the upcoming game first: who is playing, who is hurt, what the betting market thinks, how the two teams compare head to head, and which individual numbers could decide the result.
Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats: Upcoming Match Snapshot
Before the deep dive, here is the quick view of the matchup.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers |
| Week | Week 9 of the regular season |
| Venue | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California |
| Kickoff | 1:05 PM PT / 4:05 PM ET / 2:05 AM PKT (Monday) |
| TV | CBS |
| Chargers record | 0-7 |
| Texans record | 2-5 (coming off a bye) |
| Betting favorite | Texans by roughly 4.5 to 5.5 points |
Two things define this game. First, the Chargers have the league’s most puzzling offense, with the fewest touchdowns in the NFL and a drought of 27 straight possessions without a touchdown. Second, the Texans own one of the league’s weakest records against explosive passing plays, which gives Los Angeles at least a theoretical path back into the game.
Latest Updates Before Kickoff
Fresh information matters more than ever in a game like this, so start here.
Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats: Injury Report Update
The Chargers have ruled out cornerback Deane Leonard (concussion) and safety Kendall Williamson (calf). Tight end David Njoku (fibula) and linebacker Denzel Perryman (pectoral) opened their practice windows this week and were listed as doubtful. Wide receiver Brenen Thompson and guard Kayode Awosika also carried injury tags into the weekend, so the offensive line and receiver room could look different from what the depth chart suggests.
The good news for Los Angeles is that edge rusher Khalil Mack cleared the report and is good to go. Linebacker Daiyan Henley, edge rusher Bud Dupree, cornerback Donte Jackson and Rodney Shelley all returned to full practice. Unfortunately, star safety James Derwin Jr. landed on injured reserve last week, which removes the most versatile defender from the secondary.
Houston will be without safety Reed Blankenship (concussion and hand) and running back David Montgomery (groin). That puts more weight on Woody Marks in the backfield and tests the Texans’ depth at safety against a Chargers passing game that has produced plenty of interceptions but few touchdowns.
Betting Line, Total and Win Probability
The market has Houston as the favorite on the road. Most sportsbooks have the Texans laying around 4.5 points, with moneylines near Texans -225 and Chargers +188. The total sits near 40.5 points, which translates to an implied score of roughly 22.5 for Houston and 18.0 for Los Angeles. One public model gives the Texans a 68.6 percent chance to win.
The trends are just as lopsided. The Chargers are 0-6-1 against the spread, the worst mark in football. Houston has covered in four of the last five meetings between these clubs, although the Texans themselves are only 2-5 against the spread this year. Los Angeles home games have all gone under the total so far, which points toward another low-scoring afternoon.
Head to Head Comparison: Chargers vs Texans
A head to head comparison gives context, but in this matchup recent history leans one way.
Recent Meetings Between the Chargers and Texans
| Meeting | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 AFC Wild Card (Houston) | Texans won | Houston’s pass rush rattled Herbert in the fourth quarter |
| Week 17, 2025 (SoFi Stadium) | Texans 20, Chargers 16 | Houston ended a Chargers winning streak and helped Denver clinch the division |
| Week 9, 2026 (SoFi Stadium) | Upcoming | Winless Chargers vs rested Texans |
The Texans have beaten the Chargers in each of the last two seasons, and both games shared a theme: Houston’s defensive front made Herbert uncomfortable. Those wins also came when the Chargers were considered the better team. This time the roles flipped on paper, though Los Angeles still owns a stout pass defense and a home crowd.
Season Stats Comparison: Chargers vs Texans
The table below compares the two teams across the numbers that matter most. Rankings reflect league position entering Week 9.
| Category | Texans | Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 23.6 (12th) | 14.1 (32nd) |
| Points allowed per game | 24.3 (18th) | 25.0 (20th) |
| Offensive yards per play | 5.5 (10th) | 4.7 (30th) |
| Defensive yards per play | 5.4 (19th) | 5.4 (20th) |
| Pass rate | 61.2% (7th) | 54.9% (22nd) |
| Touchdowns scored | 17 | 9 |
| Turnover differential | Not a major issue | Minus 6 |
Houston holds the clear edge on offense. Los Angeles holds the edge on pass defense, where it ranks near the top of the league in passing yards allowed per game.
Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats: Quarterback Battle
Quarterback play is where this matchup gets interesting, because both passers are carrying heavy expectations that have not matched their production.
Justin Herbert: The Numbers Behind the Slump
Herbert has thrown five touchdown passes against ten interceptions, and he has thrown at least one interception in every game this season. A league-high eight of those picks came from a clean pocket, which suggests the problem is not only protection. He has not produced a multi-touchdown game yet and has not finished higher than QB22 in weekly fantasy scoring.
There was one small positive in Week 8. Herbert completed 24 of 32 passes, a season-best 75 percent, and averaged 8.0 yards per attempt against the Rams. But he added two more interceptions and no touchdowns, so the efficiency did not turn into points. The Chargers offense averages just 14.1 points per game and 288.3 total yards, and it has not found the end zone in 27 straight possessions.
Houston’s pass defense is the best chance Herbert has had in weeks. The Texans have allowed a 66.3 percent completion rate and 7.5 yards per attempt, and they have given up 51 pass plays of 15 or more yards, one of the highest totals in the league. If Herbert gets time and avoids the forced throw, the explosive plays are there.
C.J. Stroud: Efficient but Inconsistent
Stroud heads into the weekend after a modest outing against the Giants, throwing for a season-low 153 yards at 5.5 yards per attempt. He did throw multiple touchdowns in that game, and he has finished in the top half of weekly quarterback scoring in six of seven games this season. The offense around him is a different story: Houston passes on 61.2 percent of its plays, seventh most in the league, while the run game ranks near the bottom in rushing rate.
The matchup is tricky for Stroud because the Chargers defend the pass well. Opposing quarterbacks average just 6.5 air yards per attempt against Los Angeles, the sixth-lowest figure in the league. Opponents also run the ball often against this team, which means Stroud may not see many dropbacks. Expect short, quick throws, play-action and patience, not a high-volume passing day.
Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats: Running Backs and Ground Game
Omarion Hampton and the Chargers Backfield
Hampton is the one part of the Chargers offense that has functioned, averaging about 4.0 yards per carry. His workload dipped in Week 8 when he managed 20 yards on nine carries and added seven receiving yards. Harbaugh wants him to be the bell cow this week, and at 6-0 and 220 pounds, Hampton can run through contact. Expect him to carry the ball often, with Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell filling complementary roles.
Houston’s defense is the key. The Texans allow a lower rush rate than most teams because opponents throw on them, but the tackling issues mentioned by Houston’s own analysts could let Hampton find a rhythm.
Woody Marks and the Texans Run Game
With David Montgomery sidelined, Marks becomes the lead option for Houston. He faces a Chargers run defense that allows 124.6 rushing yards per game, 23rd in the league. Nose tackle Teair Tart is the biggest obstacle, because he is quick enough to disrupt zone runs and strong enough to hold up at the point of attack.
If Marks can find creases, it would help Stroud by setting up play-action, which is the Texans’ best route to creating clean throwing lanes against a conservative Chargers coverage scheme.
Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats: Defensive Players to Watch
Chargers Pass Rush: Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu
Mack returns healthy and remains the most feared defender on the roster, with a Hall of Fame résumé and a motor that has not slowed. Tuli Tuipulotu has quietly become one of the most reliable edge defenders in the league, setting the edge against the run and bullying tackles as a rusher. Rookie Akheem Mesidor and veteran Bud Dupree add depth behind them.
The Chargers rank near the top of the league in third-down defense recently, holding opponents to a 22.2 percent conversion rate over their last four games (10 of 45). That is a big reason the defense has kept games close even as the offense stalls. The problem is the other side of the ball: Los Angeles has allowed a league-high 57 points off turnovers, so the offense keeps handing the opponent short fields.
Houston Defense: Pressure Up Front, Questions Behind
The Texans’ defensive front, headlined by Will Anderson Jr., is built to attack a young Chargers offensive line. Los Angeles will start rookies Jake Slaughter at center and Travis Burke at left tackle, with Joe Alt at right tackle and Cole Strange at right guard. Awosika’s status at left guard is one to watch. Houston has allowed only six points off turnovers this season, second best in the league, which shows how well the defense protects its own mistakes.
The weakness is the back end. Houston has allowed 29 passing plays of 20 or more yards, one of the worst marks in the league. If Herbert can buy time, McConkey, Harris and Johnston should have chances downfield.
Derwin James Jr. Absence
With James on injured reserve, the Chargers lose a defender who covers tight ends, blitzes and plays in the box. Tony Jefferson and Elijah Molden take on more work, and Houston can attack the middle of the field with play-action and crossing routes.
Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats: Offensive Line Matchup
This is the least glamorous matchup and possibly the most important. The Chargers offense has struggled partly because injuries and turnover have forced rookies and new signings into key roles. The group has had plenty of rough moments in protection, and the Texans’ pass rushers will test them early and often.
Houston’s line faces a lighter test, because opponents rarely get to pin their ears back against the Chargers’ pass defense, which sees fewer dropbacks than almost any team. Protection may matter less for Stroud than for Herbert, and the side that wins up front will most likely win the game.
Special Teams: Fairbairn and Field Position
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn has been one of the most dependable specialists in the league lately. He made all 11 field goal attempts in his most recent stretch, including five from 50 or more yards. In a game with a projected total near 40 points, a reliable kicker is worth as much as a touchdown pass.
For the Chargers, field position and turnover avoidance matter more than any single kick. With a minus six turnover margin and 17 giveaways, one more short field for Houston could end the game before halftime.
Key Player Stat Watch List
Use this list to track the individual numbers most likely to shape the result.
| Player | Team | Stat to Watch | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Herbert | Chargers | Interceptions | He has thrown one in every game |
| Omarion Hampton | Chargers | Rushing attempts and yards per carry | Harbaugh plans to lean on him |
| Khalil Mack | Chargers | Sacks and pressures | Best chance to flip field position |
| C.J. Stroud | Texans | Yards per attempt | Needs to rebound from 5.5 against the Giants |
| Woody Marks | Texans | Rushing yards | Lead back with Montgomery out |
| Will Anderson Jr. | Texans | Pressures on rookie tackles | Chargers line is the weakest link |
| Ka’imi Fairbairn | Texans | Field goal accuracy | Low-scoring game magnifies each kick |
Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats: Prediction and Key Factors
Several projections land in the same territory, with Houston winning by one possession. One analyst forecast puts the final score at 23-17 in favor of the Texans, while local beat writers lean toward a similar margin.
The case for Houston is simple: a better offense, a rested roster, a quarterback who is not turning the ball over at the same rate and a stat line that shows Los Angeles turning the ball over at a historic rate. The case for the Chargers is just as clear. Their defense is strong against the pass, the game is at home, Mack is back, and a team this desperate can produce its best performance at any time. A single defensive touchdown or a short field could end the drought.
Three factors will decide the result:
- Turnovers. If Herbert avoids a clean-pocket interception, the Chargers stay alive. If not, the game probably tilts early.
- Explosive passes. Houston gives up big plays, and Los Angeles needs at least two or three to score touchdowns.
- Red zone efficiency. The Chargers have finished fewer drives with touchdowns than any team in the league. Even one touchdown would change the tone.
Final Verdict: Who Has the Edge in Chargers vs Texans Match Player Stats?
The Chargers vs Texans match player stats point to Houston as the more complete team, mostly because the Chargers offense has stalled in every category that produces points. Herbert’s interception rate, the rookie-heavy offensive line and the loss of Derwin James give the Texans plenty to attack. At the same time, Houston’s secondary has been vulnerable all season, so the door is not closed.
If the Texans protect Stroud, run the ball with Marks and keep Hampton from getting comfortable, they should leave California with a win and a reset. If Los Angeles finally gets a clean game from Herbert and a few explosive plays from the receivers, the first win of the season could arrive in the most unlikely spot.
Check back for final inactive lists, closing odds and live player updates as kickoff approaches. The numbers above give you the full picture, and the next few hours will show which side of the story proves true.
