Any doubts about Jim Harbaugh’s coaching should be put to rest. Last year, Harbaugh led Michigan to its first national championship in 26 years. Now, as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Harbaugh has put them in the playoffs, Consider the perpetual ineptitude of the Chargers with the NFL Odds over the decades. Now gamblers see LA is a potential Super Bowl sleeper. This week, the Chargers are favored in their wild card game at the Houston Texans. Houston is in the playoffs for the second consecutive season but was not as impressive as 2023.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans NFL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, January 11, 2025, 4:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| TV Coverage: | CBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | -3 EV | 42½ -105 | -150 |  |
| Texans | +3 -120 | 42½ -115 | +130 | |
| ||||
Los Angeles Chargers Team Overview
Last game, the Los Angeles Chargers won 34-20 against the Las Vegas Raiders as 7-point road favorites. The game went over the total of 41.5. Los Angeles has a record of 11-6 straight up, 12-5 against the spread, and 8-9 over/under the offshore betting total. LA ranks 21st for total offense, 21st for passing, 20th for rushing, and 12th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 8th overall, 7th against the pass, 14th against the rush, and 1st for points allowed. Also, Los Angeles ranks 2nd for fewest turnovers lost and 10th for takeaways.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert said he could tell from the noise his teammates made from neighboring meeting rooms on Saturday “that good things were happening.” Specifically, Los Angeles needed the Steelers to lose to the Bengals that night to have a shot at the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs. Cincinnati did its part by beating Pittsburgh. Hence, that provided the Chargers with a big opportunity Sunday.
Los Angeles had some early red-zone troubles. But behind Herbert’s 346 yards passing and two touchdowns, the Chargers secured that No. 5 seed with a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. As a result, the Chargers closed the regular season with a three-game winning streak. Had they lost, they would have faced Baltimore in the latest edition of the Harbaugh Bowl. Of course, John Harbaugh coaches the Ravens and has never lost to his younger brother.
In sum, the Chargers outgained the Raiders 473 yards to 264. But they failed to score touchdowns on three of their first four trips to the red zone to keep the game close. Las Vegas led most of the first half and appeared set to take a 10-9 lead into halftime.
Houston Texans Team Overview
Last game, the Houston Texans won 23-14 against the Tennessee Titans as 2.5-point road dogs. The game went over the NFL Betting total of 36.5. Houston has a record of 10-7 straight up, 7-8-2 against the spread, and 6-10-1 over/under the total. Houston ranks 23rd for total offense, 22nd for passing, 17th for rushing, and 19th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 6th overall, 6th against the pass, 11th against the rush, and 2nd for points allowed. Also, Houston ranks 13th for fewest turnovers lost and 2nd for takeaways.
Chargers at Texans SBG Free Picks
As was previously noted, the Chargers showed much greater and more reliable value than the Texans in 2024. The LA defense should provide the win and the money.
Chargers at Texans SBG Best Bets: LA Chargers.