The Los Angeles Chargers have enjoyed the comforts of home their last two games, but now they must head out on the road. They will take on the Houston Texans in a holiday battle at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday at NRG Stadium. Houston will be strutting in after a win while the Chargers will be stumbling in from a loss.
Los Angeles fought the good fight in their overtime game against the Kansas City Chiefs last week but wound up with a less-than-desirable result, falling 34-28. The losing side was boosted by QB Justin Herbert, who passed for two TDs and 236 yards on 38 attempts in addition to punching in one rushing touchdown. Herbert ended up with a passer rating of 122.20.
Meanwhile, Houston picked up a 30-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Houston's WR Brandin Cooks looked sharp as he caught seven passes for two TDs and 102 yards.
Special teams collected 12 points for Houston. K Ka'imi Fairbairn delivered a perfect 3-for-3 game. One of the most memorable scores? A 98-yard kickoff return for touchdown from DB Tremon Smith in the first quarter.
The Chargers are now 8-6 while the Texans sit at 3-11. Two offensive numbers to keep in mind before kickoff: Los Angeles comes into the contest boasting the second most overall offensive touchdowns in the league at 46. Less enviably, Houston is stumbling into the matchup with the fewest rushing touchdowns in the NFL, having accrued only six on the season.