The Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans meet in week 1 NFL preseason action from NRG Stadium on Thursday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans Prediction.
Los Angeles Chargers Recap
The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2026 season seeking to build on a promising 11-6 campaign in year two under head coach Jim Harbaugh that earned them a wildcard berth. In 2025, quarterback Justin Herbert anchored the offense with 3,727 passing yards, targeting wide receiver Ladd McConkey while running back Kimani Vidal paced the ground attack with 643 rushing yards, and defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu spearheaded a stout defense with a team-leading 13 sacks alongside veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack. During the 2026 offseason, general manager Joe Hortiz aggressively upgraded the roster by signing Pro Bowl center Tyler Biadasz, tight end David Njoku, and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, while retaining key core leaders by re-signing Mack and safety Derwin James Jr. In the draft, Los Angeles bolstered its defensive front and playmaking speed by selecting Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in the first round, Florida interior lineman Jake Slaughter in the second round, and Mississippi State wide receiver Brenen Thompson in the fourth round. Backed by a reinforced offensive line, a deeper defensive rotation, and elite star power in Herbert and James, the Chargers head into 2026 primed to contend for the AFC West title and make a deep playoff run.
Houston Texans Recap
The Houston Texans enter the 2026 season looking to build on an impressive 12-5 campaign in 2025 under head coach DeMeco Ryans that featured a 30-6 Wild Card playoff victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers before a Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots. In 2025, quarterback C.J. Stroud led the passing game with 3,707 yards and 24 touchdowns, targeting wide receiver Nico Collins who recorded 1,117 receiving yards and tight end Dalton Schultz, while defensive end Danielle Hunter posted 15 sacks to lead a defense that surrendered just 17.4 points per game. During the 2026 offseason, general manager Nick Caserio prioritized re-tooling the roster around Stroud by acquiring running back David Montgomery via trade, signing veteran offensive guard Wyatt Teller and safety Reed Blankenship, bringing back defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, and securing edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. with a long-term contract extension. In the draft, Houston traded up in the first round to select Georgia Tech offensive guard Keylan Rutledge to reinforce the interior protection, while also adding explosive wide receiver Isaiah Bond. Loaded with high-caliber talent on both sides of the ball and backed by a championship-caliber defense, the Texans enter 2026 primed to challenge for the AFC South crown and make a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans Prediction
I’m on the under in this game. Both teams have their QB1 position secured, and I’m not really a fan of the QB depth on either side in this game with Trey Lance and DJ U for LA and Davis Mills and Graham Mertz for Houston. On top of that these are two teams that pride themselves on top-tier defense and I think that’s the M.O. from the first snap here. Give me the under.