ClutchPoints
The Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers will square off in a crucial Week 17 game at SoFi Stadium on December 27. Both teams are fighting for a better playoff spot, and the result could have a big impact on their late-season push.
This is the kind of matchup that shapes an NFL season: two AFC teams, both fighting for a better playoff position, and two quarterbacks, each with an opportunity to showcase their extraordinary skills, all under the close scrutiny of a national audience on NFL Network. The Texans, who have a 10-5 record, are playing the Chargers, who are currently 9-4.
Let’s examine three bold predictions that could define this marquee AFC matchup with playoff implications.
With just 16 passing touchdowns and six interceptions through 12 games in his second NFL season, C.J. Stroud has been nothing short of outstanding. With a 93.6 passer rating and an average of 7.1 yards per attempt, the young Texans quarterback is one of the best signal-callers in the league. His recent December performance has been especially impressive, as evidenced by his 100.8 passer rating with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in December games.
Stroud may have trouble in California with the narrative surrounding his and Houston’s performances on the road —they are 4-3 away from home with Stroud completing just 60% of his passes and passing for multiple scores just once in his last five road games. However, Stroud gets a prime matchup that he can take advantage of even with his road woes.
Los Angeles’ secondary was just picked apart by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys in Week 16, who passed for 244 yards and two touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes in the loss. With Stroud in top-form as the Texans look to make its last playoff push, we could see him come out and put on a great performance which would include multiple touchdown passes and a potential win for the road team.
With a top-5 pass defense in the NFL and only 178.1 passing yards per game allowed, the Texans defense is truly exceptional this season. With star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. locking down WR1s, their cornerback room has the best coverage metrics in the NFL, and their safeties profile is the 10th best in the league, forming a formidable secondary that can stifle opposing passing attacks.
Despite his talent, Justin Herbert has been inconsistent in 2025. In contrast to his outstanding performance against a weak Dallas defense in Week 16 — 300 yards and two touchdowns, he’s passes for under 250 yards and passed for multiple scores once in his last five games prior. Houston’s pass rush can definitely take advantage of the Chargers’ injury plagued offensive line.
Houston’s defensive front boasts two of the best edge rushes in the NFL, Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. They combine for 24.5 sacks...
