NFL Handicapping Preview: San Diego Chargers at Houston Texans

Professional sports handicapper Jeff Mattingly previews a great AFC matchup between high-powered offenses with the San Diego Chargers and Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium.

San Diego has been one of the best second-half of the season teams in the NFL over the past four seasons and will put that to the test on Sunday afternoon in Houston. Chargers head coach Norv Turner is on the hot seat each week with a fan base with high expectations, but he definitely has a huge fan in the front office. “The man is an outstanding head coach,” said general manager A.J. Smith. The team set a franchise record by going 7-1 on the road last season, but would be 0-5 with a loss for the first time since their 1-15 season in 2000. San Diego will look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season and head into a bye week just a game under .500. The squad is 16-3 ATS versus AFC South opponents.

The Chargers coaching staff knows they are facing a dangerous opponent on Sunday and the defense will need to lead the team to victory. “You put on their tapes and it looks like a highlight film,” said Turner. “They run the ball, they’ve got great play-action, their receivers are playing at a real high level.” Offensively, quarterback Philip Rivers is leading the NFL with 2,649 passing yards and is on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season record of 5,084. He’s likely to enjoy another big day going against a defense that is last against the pass, giving up 299.4. yards a game. One of his favorite targets, tight end Antonio Gates is slowed by three different injuries and could be out this afternoon.

Houston has captured three consecutive home games against AFC opponents and will need to utilize star wide receiver Andre Johnson to prove victorious versus the Chargers. The former Miami Hurricanes star leads the NFL with 3,738 receiving yards since 2008. He knows his team can ill-afford a bad start like they suffered in their Monday Night loss to Indianapolis. “The first half we didn’t play the type of football we normally play,” he commented. “We never really got into a rhythm in the first half because I think everybody was taking turns making mistakes.” Houston had scored 30 or more points in four of its first six games, but rank 31st in the NFL in points scored in the first half with 50 compared to a league-leading 120 in the second. The team is 18-19 ATS over the last three years.

The Texans have never beaten the Chargers in franchise history, dropping all three games, including a 27-20 loss at Reliant Stadium in 2004. Houston has the 32nd-ranked defense and tied with Philadelphia for the worst red-zone defense. If defensive end Mario Willams and the rest of the defensive front are unable to get pressure on Rivers, it’s likely going to be a long day for the home team.

Bettors may elect to back the Chargers due to their 5-1 ATS mark as a road favorite of 0.5 to 3 points, while the Texans are 8-2 ATS as a home underdog.