Handle Business on the West Coast and Get Some Help for Playoff Seeding
Where the Texans need to be looking as they try to beat the Chargers
The Houston Texans need one more victory to clinch a playoff spot. They can also clinch a spot in the playoffs with a loss by the Indianapolis Colts to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but fans shouldn’t want that to happen.
One loss by Jacksonville in these final two weeks, combined with two wins by the Texans, means Houston wins the AFC South once again. The Colts are the best chance to take down the Jaguars, with the Tennessee Titans being the final team on Jacksonville’s schedule.
Houston is also rooting for Philadelphia this weekend. The Eagles present the best chance to beat the Buffalo Bills. One loss by the Bills and two wins by Houston assures the Texans at least the fifth seed in the AFC. That would create the easiest matchup in the first round for the Texans should the Pittsburgh Steelers win the AFC North.
Of course, none of the scoreboard watching matters if the Texans don’t handle their business.
One Player to Watch
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu is the player to watch. He had 13 sacks combined in his first two seasons. He has that many already this season. The Chargers line him up outside. They line him up inside. He is a menace. The Texans will have to block him with a shifted offensive line. If Tuipulotu gets going, then the other pass rushers will have success. He’s the key to the front seven.
One Matchup to Watch
How each team uses its slot defender will be interesting. Jalen Pitre has been excellent for the Texans this season. His coverage is better than last season. He causes turnovers. Pitre is a demon around the line of scrimmage. Will the Texans ask Pitre to cover Ladd McConkey? Will he cover a tight end? Derwin James is excellent for the Los Angeles Chargers. James is a playmaker and a difference maker. He will cause Christian Kirk problems in the slot. He will help in the run game. James could even end up on Dalton Schultz.
One Stat to Watch
Stuff percentage is a stat to watch in this one. A stuffed play is a rush that goes for no gain or a loss. The Texans are in the bottom third of the league in this stat. They have so many rushes to nowhere. The Los Angeles Chargers are one of the best defenses in the NFL at creating stuffed runs. The Texans must run the ball more effectively than they did last week. Woody Marks will return to work with Jawhar Jordan. Nick Chubb is there for specific situations. This team stinks when they can’t run the ball.
Score Prediction
The Houston Texans win 17-16. The defense prevails, and the offense has enough. Just enough, but enough. I love both these defenses, and I feel like these two quarterbacks will be running for their lives all day long. I like the defensive backs of the Texans more than the Chargers, which is the tiebreaker for me, as I think about who will win. C.J. Stroud must be better than last week. If he is, the Texans should win this on the back of the defense.