Chargers at Texans: Preview, Predictions, and More
By Randy Gurzi
San Diego Chargers vs. Houston Texans
The San Diego Chargers are fresh off their bye week after suffering a one-score loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 10. The Houston Texans are also fresh off a one-score defeat, but their loss is still fresh.
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On Monday Night Football, Houston traveled to Mexico City and were dealt a devastating loss, thanks in large part to some shoddy calls by officials. They look to get that nasty taste out of their mouths in NFL Week 12.
Here are the keys to victory for each team.
San Diego Keys To Victory
Ride Gordon: Melvin Gordon has developed into one of the best running backs in the NFL this season. He has been solid on the ground and in the pass game. The Chargers need to utilize him to his full capacity in this one.
Stay Efficient: San Diego is an explosive team, sometimes. Quarterback Philip Rivers is able to go off, but also has a history of erratic plays. For his team to stand a chance he needs to be on target.
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Shake Osweiler: Houston quarterback Brock Osweiler is the opposite of Rivers. He doesn’t have a history of gaining huge chunks of yards. San Diego needs to get in his head early and make sure that remains the case.
Houston Keys To Victory
Get the Ground Game Going: On Monday, Houston had to rely on their passing game more than they wanted to. This weekend they need to take some of the pressure off Brock Osweiler, and the best way to do that is with a solid ground game.
Go Deep to Nuk: Houston also needs to get DeAndre Hopkins involved. He is an amazing playmaker, but he’s been far too limited this season. Now would be a good time to change that.
Unleash the Pass Rush: On Monday, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was spectacular in run defense. That needs to continue, but it would be amazing for them to finally see the former first-overall selection take the quarterback down a time or two.
Odds
Point Spread: San Diego -1.5
Moneyline: San Diego -125 , Houston +105
Over/Under: 46.5
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Prediction
Houston still hasn’t lost at home and they will look to keep that streak going. They will also be looking to get out their frustrations for losing a game they felt they had in hand last Monday night. San Diego meanwhile just isn’t a very consistent team.
Pick: San Diego Chargers: 17, Houston Texans: 26