Tag: AFC wild card

WATCH: Texans DL Denico Autry records critical sack vs. Chargers

The Houston Texans are getting hot at the right time behind Dencio Autry.

Welcome back to the starting lineup, Denico Autry.

The Houston Texans’ veteran defensive tackle stepped up on third down to record his first sack in the postseason on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Hebert in the third quarter of the wild-card round.

The Bolts’ offense was driving, but the sack led to a punt.

Houston, which leads 20-6 following an Eric Murray interception returned for a touchdown, is less than 20 minutes away from winning its third straight wild-card round game. All-time, the Texans are 6-2 on Saturday afternoon in the postseason.

Texans vs. Chargers inactives: Who is out for Houston in wild-card round?

Here’s who is out for the Houston Texans in Saturday’s wild-card round matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Houston Texans are relatively healthy heading into Saturday’s wild-card round against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Among starters, offensive lineman Shaw Mason is the only player out for Houston’s offense. Defensively, the Texans will be without linebacker Devin White, defensive tackle Kurt Hinish and defensive end Jerry Hughes.

Los Angeles will be down two offensive starters for Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. showdown. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer and guard Trey Pipkins are inactive with foot and oblique injuries.

Palmer has been the No. 3 option in the passing attack for Justin Herbert behind breakout rookie Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. His absence might make the Chargers move McConkey outside of his typical slot position.

In the slot, the Chargers will turn to veteran D.J. Chark. He started last week in a win over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Here’s a list of the inactive for both teams.

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

AFC Wild Card: LA Chargers at Houston Texans odds and lines

Analyzing Saturday’s LA Chargers at Houston Texans odds and lines, with expert NFL picks and predictions

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

The LA Chargers (11-6) and Houston Texans (10-7) meet Saturday in the AFC Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. Kickoff from NRG Stadium is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS/Paramount+).  Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Chargers vs. Texans odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Chargers underwent a major culture shift in the offseason, starting with the hiring of Jim Harbaugh as coach. The change paid off as they finished the season on a 3-game win streak, racking up 11 wins—an impressive 6-win improvement from last year. They capped off the regular season with a 34-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18, covering as 7-point road favorites as the Over 41.5 hitting as well.

Defense led the way for L.A., holding opponents to just 17.7 points per game, the best mark in the NFL. The team also excelled at protecting the ball, forcing 21 turnovers while giving it away just 9 times all season.

QB Justin Herbert delivered his most efficient season yet, throwing 23 TDs with only 3 INTs and posting a career-high 101.7 passer rating. Rookie WR Ladd McConkey was a breakout star, finishing fourth among a loaded rookie receiver class with 1,149 yards and 7 TDs.

With this remade roster and strong momentum, the Chargers are heading to the postseason for just the second time since 2018.

The Houston Texans had a roller-coaster season, starting strong with a 5-1 record but ultimately finishing with just 2 wins in their last 7 games. They closed out the regular season with a 23-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, covering as 2.5-point road underdogs, and hitting the Over 36.5.

RB Joe Mixon had a standout year, reaching 1,000 rushing yards for the fifth time in his career and adding double-digit TDs (11) for the second time.

QB C.J. Stroud, after an impressive rookie season, took a step back, posting fewer yards, TDs, and more INTs. Injuries to his top wide receivers didn’t help, with Stefon Diggs (8 games), Tank Dell (14 games), and Nico Collins (12 games) all missing time. Collins will be good to go for the playoffs.

After securing their first playoff win since 2019, the Texans are looking to add a second postseason victory.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Chargers at Texans odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Friday at 12:23 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Chargers -160 (bet $160 to win $100) | Texans +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Chargers -3 (-105) | Texans +3 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 42 (O: -110 | U: -110)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

Chargers at Texans key injuries

Chargers

  • RB J.K. Dobbins (ankle) questionable
  • WR Simi Fehoko (elbow) questionable
  • WR Quentin Johnston (groin/illness) questionable
  • WR Josh Palmer (foot) out
  • LB Denzel Perryman (groin) questionable
  • OL Trey Pipkins (oblique) questionable
  • CB Ja’Sir Taylor (rib) doubtful

Texans

  • DL Denico Autry (knee) questionable
  • LB Christian Harris (ankle) questionable
  • OL Shaq Mason (knee) out
  • WR John Metchie III (shoulder) questionable
  • TE Teagan Quitoriano (calf) questionable

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+

Chargers at Texans picks and predictions

Prediction

Chargers 28, Texans 21

Moneyline

PASS.

Momentum will carry the Chargers (-160) to a victory on Saturday, but I’d rather get the better odds on Los Angeles with the spread.

Against the spread

BET CHARGERS -3 (-105).

It’s tough not to like the Chargers in this matchup. They’ve been one of the most reliable ATS teams, covering in 5 of their last 6 games and 12 out of 17 contests. The Texans haven’t exactly been dominant at home, finishing 5-3 and dropping 3 of their last 4 in Houston.

The Chargers’ defense is elite, allowing just 17.7 points per game (PPG)—the best in the league. They play smart, disciplined football, with only 9 turnovers all year, second-fewest in the NFL. They dominate the trenches, too, with top-tier tackles Rashawn Slater and rookie Joe Alt, plus defensive stars Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack bringing the heat off the edge.

They’re not the type of team to beat themselves, and they force their opponents into costly mistakes. Herbert has already proven he can handle this Texans defense, torching them for 340 yards and 2 touchdowns the last time he visited Houston in a 34-24 win on Oct. 2, 2022.

With their solid coaching and strong play on both sides of the ball, the Chargers are heating up at just the right time. They’re the team nobody wants to face heading into the playoffs.

Over/Under

BET OVER 42 (-110).

The Chargers’ offense is finally matching their defense, scoring 36 PPG over their last 3 games and hitting the Over in 4 straight. Houston’s been part of some high-scoring games too, going Over in 2 of their last 3. These teams combine for 45 PPG, and the Over hit in their last 2 matchups. This one’s shaping up to be another shootout.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow @DrewPhelps05 on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NFL coverage:
BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is likely to surpass Chiefs Patrick Mahomes in postseason category

Baltimore #Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is likely to surpass Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in postseason category | @EdEastonJr

The NFL postseason gets underway this weekend. The Wild Card playoffs feature intriguing matchups and potential opponents for the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round. The Baltimore Ravens, led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson, host their AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a matchup that could see the versatile quarterback achieve another milestone.

Jackson is among the top five quarterbacks in all-time NFL postseason rushing yards. Four top five players, including Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, are active in the 2024 postseason. Jackson only needs four rushing yards to move past Mahomes, who sits in fourth place with 524 yards, a total that will likely be back and forth as long as their team’s success continues.

Ravens tight end Mark Andrews can also match Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce with a touchdown reception on Saturday. He can become the fourth tight end all-time with a touchdown reception in at least seven consecutive games, including the postseason, joining Kelce, Jimmy Graham, and Rob Gronkowski.

https://www.instagram.com/nflonprime/p/DEd1UpsT0RM/?hl=en

Mahomes can regain his rushing yards spot during the Divisional Round while the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen continues to lead all active quarterbacks. Steve Young holds the top spot all-time with 594 yards during his Hall of Fame career.

Former NFL coach believes Chargers ‘basically have a bye’ vs. Texans

Rex Ryan isn’t giving the Houston Texans much of a chance heading into the AFC wild-card round.

Rex Ryan is looking to get back into coaching.

It’s safe to say the Houston Texans have permanently banned him from their list of potential candidates if the job were ever to be opened again after his recent comments about the team’s playoff chances.

The current ESPN analyst and former Jets and Bills coach recently appeared on “Get Up” with Mike Greenberg to discuss the Texans’ upcoming AFC wild-card matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Ryan didn’t hold back when asked if he thinks Houston, a 5.5-point underdog, can secure a victory on Saturday afternoon.

“I never realized they get a bye,” Ryan said. “Oh wait, they gotta play [the Texans]. What’s the difference?”

Ryan wasn’t done. He applauded the development of Chargers quarterback Justin Hebert while pinpointing to the regression from Texans gunslinger C.J. Stroud.

“The Texans’ offense is struggling so bad,” Ryans continued. “They can’t protect the quarterback, The Chargers’ No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL going up against that offense? Wooh! Get ready for the next round.”

Houston’s offense has struggled since Stefon Diggs’s season-ending injury in Week 8. While there have been flashes of potential, there have also been multiple setbacks.

Ryan isn’t wrong that the Texans have struggled to protect Stroud, allowing the third-most sacks in the league and the most by any playoff roster. The defense also looked underwhelming trying to stop the two-head monster in Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson on Christmas Day.

But the Bolts haven’t proven much in the playoffs over the past two decades. Their last postseason win came in 2018. And who can forget about the 2022 debacle against Jacksonville in the second half of the wild-card round?

Meanwhile, Houston is 5-2 all-time in the wild-card round weekend. The Texans are riding a three-game home playoff winning streak. The Texans are also coming off one of their better outings in a 23-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans, where the backups picked a trudging AFC roster now blessed — or cursed —with the No. 1 overall pick.

“For us, it doesn’t matter if anybody give us a shot. It doesn’t matter to me. At the end of the day, when the ball is kicked off it is about who is the best football team out on Saturday,” DeMeco Ryans said. “That is where our focus is on playing really good football.”

The Texans have a chance to prove Ryan wrong on Saturday at 3:30 pm. The game will be nationally televised on CBS and Parmount+.

Key things to know about Chargers’ wild-card opponent: Texans

Here are some key things to know about the Los Angeles Chargers’ opponent ahead of the wild-card round matchup.

The Chargers face off against the Texans in the wild-card round on Saturday afternoon.

To preview the matchup, here are some key things to know about Houston.

How Houston finished the regular season

The Texans finished as champions of the AFC South with a 10-7 record. Houston struggled down the stretch, losing three of its final five games.

Stroud’s struggles

Quarterback C.J. Stroud was outstanding in his first year as a pro, winning 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, Stroud took a step back in Year 2. Some of it involved losing wide receiver Stefon Diggs early in the season, missing Nico Collins for a few games, and then losing Tank Dell last month. But he wasn’t as accurate as he was in his rookie campaign and was often under pressure. He was sacked 52 times (second-most in the NFL) and threw 12 interceptions.

Gotta slow Joe

The Chargers have been stout against the run recently, ranking fourth in the past three weeks as they’ve allowed just 81.7 rushing yards per game. They must remain stout against running back Joe Mixon. Mixon finished the regular season with 1,016 yards, 11 touchdowns, and an average of 4.1 yards per carry.

Beware of the pressure

The Chargers’ offensive line must be on its A-game against a Texans defensive line that has lived in opposing backfields this season. Houston has a franchise-best 49 sacks this year, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. Offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will be accounting for edge defenders Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr., who have 12 and 11 sacks, respectively.

Other notes

  • The Texans are 26th in red zone offense and 27th in red zone defense.
  • Houston has the sixth-best passing defense, allowing 201.0 yards per game.
  • The Texans have the fifth-most takeaways (29).
  • Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Calen Bullock each have five interceptions.
  • Wide receiver Nico Collins topped 1,000 receiving yards.

Updated 2025 NFL draft order after Week 18

With the NFL season officially in the books, here’s the latest draft order heading into the playoffs.

The Houston Texans are headed to the postseason, but 18 other teams are headed toward the offseason.

That means that draft talk is only about to start heating up.

With the 2024 NFL regular season in the books, the top of the 2025 NFL draft order — featuring non-playoff teams (picks 1-18) — has been finalized.

A shakeup at the top of the draft order over the past two weeks changed everything heading into April. Much like last week with a New York Giants win over the Indianapolis Colts, the team holding the No. 1 pick won a game and forfeited its top selection.

The New England Patriots dropped three spots after defeating the Buffalo Bills, who were resting starters, in Week 18.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans are now on the clock following a nine-point loss to Houston while donning the Oilers uniforms.

Here’s an updated look at the 2025 NFL draft order following Week 18 action, courtesy of the folks at Tankathon:

Texans odds: Houston opens as home underdog against Chargers in wild-card round

The Houston Texans might be in the playoffs, but they’re underdogs on the road against the surging Los Angeles Chargers.

The Houston Texans can be the third team to clinch the spot in the divisional round of the playoffs on Saturday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

The only thing in their way? A four-quarter battle in Nashville with the surging Los Angeles Chargers wild-card round. The last time Jim Harbaugh was in Houston, he walked away with a national title at Michigan.

Houston (10-7) enters Saturday’s showdown at Nissan Stadium as a 3-point home underdog against Los Angeles (11-6), according to odds from BetMGM. The over/under is currently set at 43.5, while the money line is at -165.

The Texans are preparing for a date with one of the league’s top defenses. In Year 1 of the Harbaugh regime, Jesse Minter turned a one-thought promising unit back into a legitimate force headlined by Derwin James and Khalil Mack.

Offensively, Justin Herbert has been consistent in helping Los Angeles secure its first 10-win season in three years. He finished with just under 4,000 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes against just three interceptions.

The Chargers are fifth in the NFL in turnover differential.

Houston is coming off perhaps its most uplifting in of the regular season with a 23-14 road victory over the Tennessee Titans. Starters rested after the opening drive, leading to a dominant day on the ground by running back Dameon Pierce.

“When you start clicking at the right time, you just want to keep seeing this,” Texans running back Joe Mixon told reporters. “Keep trending upward. And pretty much we came out there and executed the game plan.”

How to buy Houston Texans 2025 NFL Playoff tickets

The Houston Texans will host a playoff game during Wild Card Weekend. Tickets are available for as little as $125.

The Houston Texans are headed back to the playoffs.

Once again, the Texans will do so as the champion of the AFC South division. It’s the second-straight year Houston has taken that crown, and in doing so in 2024, the Texans have locked in the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture.

While their opponent is still to be determined, either the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Los Angeles Chargers, NRG Stadium should be rocking during Wild Card Weekend.

Houston Texans NFL playoff tickets

Tickets for the Texans’ first playoff game are already on sale. At the time of publication, the cheapest available Texans playoff tickets costs $125.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texans Wild Card tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/AJaQZ95/”]

If the Texans were to win their opening round, they could potentially host another game in the Divisional Round. Hypothetical tickets are already on sale for that game, meaning if Houston was to lose in the Wild Card round or not be the home team, you would be refunded for your ticket. If the Texans win their opening round game and stay at NRG Stadium in Round 2, you’re in!

Texans Divisional round tickets are on sale and the cheapest ticket costs $246.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texans Playoff Tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/zpBDGOQ/”]

How to buy Houston Texans 2025 NFL Playoff tickets

The Houston Texans will host a playoff game during Wild Card Weekend. Tickets are available for as little as $125.

The Houston Texans are headed back to the playoffs.

Once again, the Texans will do so as the champion of the AFC South division. It’s the second-straight year Houston has taken that crown, and in doing so in 2024, the Texans have locked in the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff picture.

While their opponent is still to be determined, either the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Los Angeles Chargers, NRG Stadium should be rocking during Wild Card Weekend.

Houston Texans NFL playoff tickets

Tickets for the Texans’ first playoff game are already on sale. At the time of publication, the cheapest available Texans playoff tickets costs $125.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texans Wild Card tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/AJaQZ95/”]

If the Texans were to win their opening round, they could potentially host another game in the Divisional Round. Hypothetical tickets are already on sale for that game, meaning if Houston was to lose in the Wild Card round or not be the home team, you would be refunded for your ticket. If the Texans win their opening round game and stay at NRG Stadium in Round 2, you’re in!

Texans Divisional round tickets are on sale and the cheapest ticket costs $246.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Texans Playoff Tickets” link=”https://stubhub.prf.hn/l/zpBDGOQ/”]