Having advanced to an 11-4 overall record this season after defeating the Cowboys 34-17 in Dallas on December 21, the Chargers are set to host a pivotal Week 17 encounter at SoFi Stadium this Saturday against the formidable Houston Texans (10-5), a game laden with significant implications for the AFC playoff standings.
The Chargers currently occupy the fifth spot in the AFC Playoff hierarchy, a position earned through a four-game winning streak since their Week 12 bye week, and trail the Broncos by 1.2 games.
While Denver solidified its path toward securing both the AFC West division title and the top conference seed with a 20-13 win over Kansas City on Thursday night, Los Angeles needs to secure a victory on Saturday to maintain its potential to claim the division crown by defeating the Broncos in Week 18.
Concurrently, the Texans have consistently pursued the Chargers throughout much of the season and enter this game riding a seven-game winning streak, significantly bolstered by their outstanding defensive displays recently. Should Houston emerge victorious, they would clinch a playoff berth and dislodge the Bolts from the fifth seed.
Given that both teams require a win to enhance their playoff prospects and positioning, which squad holds the upper hand in the crucial aspects of this contest?
It is widely acknowledged that athletic competitions are not determined solely by theoretical projections, yet the statistical rankings of these two teams in vital categories could offer meaningful perspectives on where the Chargers might possess an edge over the Texans and where they might not.
Drawing insights from Team Rankings and Pro Football Reference, here is a statistical breakdown of how the Chargers compare against the Texans.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 21: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates with teammates after rushing for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Average points scored per contest: 23.3 (ranked sixteenth)
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Opponent points yielded per game: 20.1 (ranked eighth)
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Ground gains per carry: 4.4 (ranked fourteenth)
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Opponent rushing yards allowed per attempt: 4.4 (ranked twenty-second)
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Aerial yardage per passing play: 7.2 (ranked twelfth)
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Opponent passing yards conceded per attempt: 5.9 (ranked fifth)
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Quarterback sack percentage: 8.38% (ranked sixth)
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Opponent quarterback sack percentage allowed: 9.38% (ranked twenty-eighth)
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Net turnover differential per game: +0.2 (ranked ninth)
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Efficiency on third down conversions: 47.22% (ranked third)
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Opponent third down conversion rate allowed: 35.84% (ranked sixth)
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Offensive red zone touchdown conversion rate: 50.00% (ranked twenty-seventh)
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Defensive red zone touchdown prevention rate: 50.00% (ranked fourth)
Statistical Overview: Houston Texans
Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks to the locker room following a victory against the Las Vegas Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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Average points tallied per contest: 23.1 (ranked nineteenth)
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Opponent points conceded per game: 16.6 (ranked first)
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Ground gains per carry: 3.9 (ranked twenty-eighth)
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Opponent rushing yards allowed per attempt: 4.1 (ranked twelfth)
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Aerial yardage per passing play: 6.7 (ranked twenty-first)
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Opponent passing yards conceded per attempt: 5.7 (ranked second)
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Quarterback sack percentage: 8.01% (ranked eighth)
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Opponent quarterback sack percentage allowed: 5.61% (ranked twelfth)
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Net turnover differential per game: +1.0 (ranked second)
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Efficiency on third down conversions: 38.16% (ranked twentieth)
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Opponent third down conversion rate allowed: 34.56% (ranked third)
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Offensive red zone touchdown conversion rate: 45.10% (ranked thirty-first)
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Defensive red zone touchdown prevention rate: 60.00% (ranked twenty-third)
