The Los Angeles Chargers bring a 7-game losing streak into Sunday's Week 9 game against the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium. The matchup turns on the two quarterbacks: C.J. Stroud has thrown 11 touchdowns and 1 interception, while Justin Herbert has 5 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The Matchup

Records: Houston Texans 2-5 (0-4 home, 2-1 road); Los Angeles Chargers 0-7 (0-3 home, 0-4 road)
Venue: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Kickoff: Sunday, November 8, 4:05 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line (DraftKings): HOU -6, O/U 40.5

Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers tickets
We may earn a commission from ticket purchases made through this link.

What Decides It

The Chargers' offense has stopped producing, and the losing streak follows from it. Los Angeles averages about 14 points a game, well behind Houston's nearly 24. The two most recent games were the worst of the last five: 9 points in the latest loss and 6 in the one before it.

The defense has not been the problem it would need to be to explain 7 straight losses. It allows 25 points a game, close to Houston's 24. With the offense producing so little, that defense has not been enough to win.

Houston's pass defense is the opening Los Angeles has to use. The Texans give up nearly 263 passing yards a game, while the Chargers throw for about 200. On paper, this is the most generous unit Herbert will see from Houston.

The catch is ball security. Herbert's 10 interceptions mean every extra throw against a soft secondary carries risk. Houston is also thin in the back, with safety Reed Blankenship out and cornerback Jaylin Smith on injured reserve, so the opportunity is real if Herbert protects the ball.

Stroud's passing game should carry Houston. The Texans throw for nearly 267 yards a game, and the Chargers allow about 208, so the edge in that matchup goes to Houston. Los Angeles also takes the field without safety Kendall Williamson and cornerback Deane Leonard.

Houston's run game is the weaker half of its offense, at about 85 rushing yards a game. The Chargers allow nearly 125 on the ground, so this is the place for the Texans to find easier yards and keep Stroud out of long-yardage throws. David Montgomery is out, leaving the work to Woody Marks.

Players to Watch

Houston Texans

Passing: C.J. Stroud – 160-247, 1,867 YDS, 11-1 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Woody Marks – 77 ATT, 271 YDS, 2 TD
Receiving: Nico Collins – 24 REC, 329 YDS, 3 TD

Los Angeles Chargers

Passing: Justin Herbert – 131-212, 1,398 YDS, 5-10 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Omarion Hampton – 89 ATT, 309 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Ladd McConkey – 17 REC, 286 YDS, 1 TD

Injury Report

Houston Texans

S Reed Blankenship: Out – Concussion
RB David Montgomery: Out – Groin
WR Jaylin Noel: Injured Reserve – Toe
LB Jake Hummel: Injured Reserve – Groin
CB Jaylin Smith: Injured Reserve – Hamstring

Los Angeles Chargers

WR Brenen Thompson: Doubtful – Quadriceps
TE David Njoku: Injured Reserve – Lower Leg
G Kayode Awosika: Doubtful – Lower Leg
S Kendall Williamson: Out – Calf
CB Deane Leonard: Out – Concussion

The Chargers' list cuts into both sides of their passing matchup: two pass catchers and two defensive backs are out, doubtful or on injured reserve.

Prediction

Houston has the quarterback who protects the ball and the offense that scores, and the Chargers have not shown they can put up points against anyone. Los Angeles will find yards through the air against Houston's secondary, but Herbert's interceptions make it hard to trust those yards turning into touchdowns. Houston covers and the game stays under the total.

Pick: Houston Texans 23, Los Angeles Chargers 13