CHARGERS (4-6) VS. TEXANS (6-4)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, NRG STADIUM, HOUSTON uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 708
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon About the Chargers: San Diego returns from its bye hoping to put together one of those old-school December runs where it used to make improbable winning streaks and storm its way into the playoff picture at the last minute. The Chargers are in the AFC West cellar, but are by no means eliminated from contention. “No one is happy about our record,” coach said. “But there’s a lot of positives from what some players have done.” The running game has improved around RB and QB
had the offense ranked No. 3 in scoring entering the bye. They’ll return a few starters from injury after the break, but to have any shot at rallying, the Chargers will have to buckle down on defense and get past the Texans on the road.
About the Texans: After Monday night’s loss in Mexico City, in which they blew 17-10 and 20-13 leads to the Oakland Raiders, the Texans return home on a short break for what might be the most important three-week stretch of their season. It starts with San Diego, a high-scoring team with a balanced attack that could give their defense fits. The Texans have road trips to the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, two games that could decide the AFC South winner, given the fact that the Colts and Titans are on the Texans’ heels. The Texans are 5-0 in NRG Stadium this season, and keeping that winning streak alive against the visiting Chargers is critical for Houston’s playoff hopes.
Houston’s daunting rush defense starts with the big Nose tackle Vince Wilfork, above, is tasked with stopping RB Melvin Gordon.
man up front. After celebrating his 35th birthday this month, Wilfork will be tasked with making sure the middle of the field is off limits for a running back who is 12 years his junior. With LBs Whitney Mercilus and Clowney manning the edges, keeping Gordon in check is key.
If the Texans’ run defense gives San Diego fits, they’ll have to resort to their
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
passing game. Whether or not WR Travis
(sprained knee) is ready to return, Williams is likely to be the focal point of the offense again. He has led the team in receiving yards in half their games, and topping 100 yards for a fourth time in the last seven games would be huge.
Through San Diego’s first seven games this season, Rivers threw four interceptions but had since thrown seven in his last three games.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Red-zone scoring: McCoy said one of the biggest points of emphasis in the bye week was red-zone offense. Thanks in part to untimely turnovers and devastating drops, the Chargers rank near the bottom third of the NFL in red-zone scoring percentage, scoring touchdowns on about half their trips inside the 20-yard line, down from 63.6% in 2015.
2. Second-half defense: Another major point of emphasis McCoy highlighted for San Diego is second-half defense. The Chargers rank last in the league, allowing an average of 17.2 points per second half. In the first half, they’ve allowed just 10.0 points per game, though.
3. Winning the fourth quarter: The Texans have been successful at home this season, mostly because of their dominant running game when it matters most. Despite their 5-0 record in Houston, however, four of their five wins have been decided by seven or fewer points. The team that scores the most points in the fourth quarter will win.
Jordan Godwin