The 2025 NFL Playoffs begin when the No. 5-seeded Los Angeles Chargers visit the No. 4-seeded Houston Texans in the NFL Wild Card Round on Saturday. In the first season under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers found a way to clinch a postseason berth and finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak. In Week 18, they beat the Las Vegas Raiders, 34-20. Meanwhile, the Texans won the AFC South for the second consecutive season. In the season finale, Houston defeated the Tennessee Titans, 23-16. Chargers receivers Joshua Palmer (heel) and Quentin Johnston (thigh) did not practice Wednesday.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium in Houston is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET. Los Angeles is a 2.5-point favorite in the latest Chargers vs. Texans from the SportsLine Consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 42, 2.5 less than the initial line. The Chargers are -157 moneyline favorites (risk $157 to win $100), while the Texans are +132 underdogs (risk $100 to win $132). Before making picks, bets or predictions for Chargers vs. Texans, be sure to read what SportsLine’s NFL expert Mike Tierney has to say, considering his dominance of picks involving the Chargers.
Tierney, a veteran sportswriter whose work appears regularly in the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, has covered the NFL for decades and has reported from seven Super Bowls. Tierney is 154-124-9 in the NFL over the past two seasons, returning $1,586 to $100 players. Additionally, he is an incredible 47-25-2 in his last 74 betting picks on games involving the Los Angeles Chargers, returning a whopping $1,910. Anyone who has followed him in sportsbooks and sports betting apps is way up there.
Now, Tierney has focused on Chargers vs. Texans. You can head over to SportsLine to see their picks. Here are the NFL odds and NFL betting lines for Chargers vs. Texans:
- Difference between Chargers and Texans: Los Angeles -2.5
- Chargers vs. Texans over/under: 42 points
- Chargers vs. Money Line Texans: Los Angeles -157, Houston +132
- LAC: Chargers are 12-5 against the spread this season
- HOU: Texans are 7-8-2 ATS this season
- Chargers vs. Picks Texans: See the picks on SportsLine
- Chargers vs. Texans: Paramount+ (Try it for free)
Why the Chargers can cover
Quarterback Justin Herbert has been a solid and consistent weapon under center for the Chargers. The Oregon product is ninth in the league in passing yards (3,870), 12th in touchdown passes (23) and 11th in QBR (65.3). He finished the regular season with at least two touchdown passes in four consecutive games. In his last outing, Herbert completed 28 of 36 for 346 yards and two touchdown passes.
Receiver Ladd McConkey came into the league as a second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and immediately carved out a niche for himself. He led the team in targets (112), receptions (112) and receiving yards (1,149). He also scored seven touchdowns with 15 receptions of 20-plus yards. The Georgia product has seven games with 80-plus receiving yards this season. See who to back at SportsLine.
Why the Texans can cover
Quarterback CJ Stroud gives the Texans a calming presence under center. Stroud has the ability to make shots at all three levels of the field. This season, he threw for 3,727 yards with 20 touchdown passes. The Ohio State product has six games with multiple touchdown passes. Last postseason, during the Wild Card victory over the Cleveland Browns, Stroud was 16 of 21 for 274 yards and three passes.
Receiver Nico Collins gives Houston an explosive weapon with the ball in his hands. Despite missing five games, Collins led the team in receptions (68), receiving yards (1,006) and touchdowns (7). The Michigan product has four games with more than 100 yards this season. On December 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Collins had eight receptions for 119 yards. See who to back at SportsLine.
How to make Chargers vs. Texans
Tierney has analyzed Chargers vs. Texans from every possible angle, and while we can tell you he’s leaning under the point total, he’s also discovered a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over the spread. Head over to SportsLine to see what it is and find out which team to root for.
Who wins the Texans against the Chargers on Saturday and what critical X factor causes one side of the spread to be affected the most? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Texans vs. Chargers need to jump, all from the expert who is 47-25 on picks involving the Chargers, and find out.
