For both these teams, the path has been a brutal battle to get to this stage. But through strict perseverance, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans find themselves in a critical Week 17 game with a ton of playoff implications. The division title is up for grabs for the Chargers, while the Texans could solidify a playoff spot with a victory.
However, neither team is walking into the game fully healthy, with injuries a common theme for Los Angeles over the last few weeks. Kimani Vidal was listed as questionable coming into the game, and he will not play today. Mekhi Becton, on the other hand, is active against the Texans.
Inactive List for Chargers and Texans
Here are the confirmed inactives for today’s game:
Los Angeles Chargers
- WR Derius Davis
- CB Benjamin St-Juste
- S RJ Mickens
- RB Kimani Vidal
- OLB Kyle Kennard
- OL Jamaree Salyer
- TE Tyler Conklin
Houston Texans
- LB Jamal Hill
- WR Braxton Berrios
- QB Graham Mertz
- CB Alijah Huzzie
- DE Solomon Byrd
- OT Trent Brown
- OT Aireontae Ersery
Starting Lineups for Chargers vs. Texans
Los Angeles Chargers
Offense:
- QB Justin Herbert
- RB Omarion Hampton
- WR Ladd McConkey
- WR Quentin Johnston
- TE Oronde Gadsden II
- FB Scott Matlock
- LT Trevor Penning
- LG Zion Johnson
- C Bradley Bozeman
- RG Mekhi Becton
- RT Trey Pipkins III
Defense:
- DE Justin Eboigbe
- DT Da’Shawn Hand
- NT Jamaree Caldwell
- LOLB Tuli Tuipulotu
- RILB Daiyan Henley
- LILB Del’Shawn Phillips
- ROLB Khalil Mack
- LCB Cam Hart
- FS Tony Jefferson
- RCB Donte Jackson
- SS Derwin James Jr.
Special Teams:
- PK Cameron Dicker
- P, H JK Scott
- KR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
- PR Tarheeb Still
- LS Josh Harris
It might have snuck up on most people, but after the Denver Broncos were blown off the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Chargers have a direct pathway to winning the AFC West.
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They need victories in the final two weeks of the year, though. But for an offensive line that ranks as the third-worst unit in the league on PFSN’s OL Impact and is missing its two best pieces in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, it is going to be a nigh-on impossible task to get through the two games.
Houston Texans
Offense:
- QB C.J. Stroud
- RB Woody Marks
- WR Nico Collins
- WR Xavier Hutchinson
- WR Christian Kirk
- TE Dalton Schultz
- LT Blake Fisher
- LG Jarrett Kingston
- C Jake Andrews
- RG Ed Ingram
- RT Tytus Howard
Defense:
- LDE Will Anderson Jr.
- LDT Sheldon Rankins
- RDT Naquan Jones
- RDE Danielle Hunter
- SLB Henry To’oTo’o
- MLB Azeez Al-Shair
- WLB Damone Clark
- LCB Derek Stingley Jr.
- FS Calen Bullock
- SS Jalen Pitre
- RCB Kamari Lassiter
Special teams:
- PK Ka’imi Fairbairn
- P, H Tommy Townsend
- PR Jaylin Noel
- KR Tremon Smith
- LS Austin Brinkman
The turnaround from a 0-3 start to a playoff team, despite missing C.J. Stroud for a chunk of the season, is almost complete. This week, Houston has a chance to secure a playoff spot for itself. But the biggest question mark is going to be the offense.
After struggling against the Las Vegas Raiders last week, they’ll have a much tougher challenge in the form of the Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers. But the best unit on PFSN’s Defense Impact should be able to feast on a porous offensive line in LA, which should give Houston more than a puncher’s chance in the game.
