Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans

This matchup won’t be interesting to the casual football fan. Both teams don’t excite you with their offense, but both have great defenses as the Chargers rank 7th against run and 1st in points allowed (), while the Texans rank 11th in the run and 6th versus the pass. Neither team has a high-powered offense that can dominate in both the run and pass. The Chargers rank 17th in the run and 19th in the pass, while the Texans rank 15th in the run and 21st in the pass. Both teams are in the bottom half in red zone percentage with the Chargers ranking 18th (56%) and Texans at 26th (49.1%). Both teams have excelled in protecting the ball with the Chargers ranking 2nd in turnovers (9) and Texans ranking 11th (19).

The Texans’ offense lost life once Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell went down with injuries and C.J. Stroud has regressed in production compared to last season. In their last four games the Texans have scored an average of 16 points and scored a combined 21 points in the losses to the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers haven’t been any better, winning 4 out of their last 6 games with their two losses coming from the Buccaneers and the Chiefs. The Chargers rely on quarterback Justin Herbert to protect the football and get the team down the field. The Chargers are able to put up points at will, but are a competent offense that can pick apart a lousy defense. Their defense has lost a slight step, as they’ve allowed an average of 21 points in their last six games compared to 15.9 in their first eleven. 

With Stroud not playing like himself, I don’t see the Texans drastically improving their play against the Chargers. This game won’t be an offensive shootout between both teams as they haven’t played or been playing that brand of football and I don’t think either coach would want that. I think this game is a low-scoring game and I predict the Chargers will come out controlling the tempo of the game and end up beating the Texans 21-10. I believe the Chargers will emphasize protecting the ball against the Texans and rely on Cameron Dicker to hit long-field goals. 

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens: 

This game has the potential of being the worst game of the week. The Steelers are playing their worst football at the wrong time as they’re on a four-game losing streak, all losses to playoff teams. The absence of George Pickens has shown that he’s the only reliable option Russell Wilson has. Wilson hasn’t thrown for more than 200 yards in the last five games and the offense is averaging 14.3 points in their last four. The Steelers aren’t the same team that scored 44 points in a win against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 13, averaging 16.8 points per game and allowing 24.6 in their last five games.

On the other side, the Ravens are playing their best football at the right time. The Ravens are averaging 30.6 points in the last 6 games and have allowed an average of 15 points during that time. They got their revenge against the Steelers in week 16 and are on a four-game winning streak. The Ravens offense has been on a tear this season, ranking 7th in the pass and 1st in the run while their defense ranks 1st against the run but 31st against the pass. It’s a tall task for the Steelers to go into M&T Bank Stadium with the way Lamar Jackson is playing, as he’s made his case to win his 3rd MVP.

I think the Ravens put an end to the Steelers season, even without Zay Flowers, winning 31-14.