Official Texans vs. Chargers Game Thread, 10/2/2022

[Arky]

The 1-2 Los Angeles Chargers come to NRG stadium this Sunday to take on the 0-2-1 Texans in an early game on CBS. The Chargers are coming off a 38-10 beatdown from the Jags while the Texans lost a close one in Chicago, 23-20.

Chargers are an enigma winning in Week 1 24-19 over the Raiders, playing the Chiefs tough in a 27-24 loss in Week 2 then, inexplicably getting blown out by the Jags at home in Week 3. So who shows up? My guess is they will be all business when they come to town. QB Justin Herbert is having a pretty good year so far, 84/127, 66.1% completion, 910 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs, and a 98.9 rating. Top running back is Austin Ekeler (32/80, 2.5 avg) although the Chargers generally prefer to pass the ball. The Chargers have 5 receivers with 130+ yards - WRs DeAndre Carter, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, RB Austin Ekeler and TE Gerald Everett. The Texans secondary will be tested. The Charger defense is 12th against the run (yards), 20th against the pass (yards).

The Texans will be playing at home and will have no excuse - they must show improvement on offense. QB Davis Mills will have to show something or the calls for backup Kyle Allen will begin. Mills has played below average overall so far and doesn't look like the beginning-to-look-efficient QB that finished the season last year. The O-line needs to step up, the receivers need to get open, the backs need to do their part. After the Chicago game, the Texan defense is now last in league vs. the run and rates 11th vs. the pass (yards).

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TV = CBS, noon CST, Sunday, October 2, 2022

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, James Lofton (3rd week in a row?)

The line = Chargers by 5 to 5½ (down from 7)

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Other Sunday viewing in the Houston area:

CBS (late) = New England @ Green Bay, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo

FOX (late) = Arizona @ Carolina, Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma

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Prime time:

TNF = Miami @ Cincinnati (Amazon)

Sunday Morning (London) = Minnesota vs New Orleans, Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez, (NFLN), 8:30 am CST

SNF = Kansas City @ Tampa Bay (NBC)

MNF = LA Rams @ San Francisco (ESPN)

[Arky]

After the Mills INT, the Chargers are set up at the Texan 25.

Herbert hits the TE, Everett on 3rd and 3 in the end zone for the Charger TD.

Chargers 7, Texans 0

12 minutes left in the 1st qtr.

Great start!

[Arky]

Titans over the Colts 7-0.

Jags over the Eagles 7-0.

Ravens up on the Bills 7-3.

[Arky]

Fairbairn misses badly on a 46 yard FG.

Still,

Chargers 7, Texans 0

2:19 left in the 1st qtr.

[Arky]

Ekeler runs it in from 10 for a Charger TD.

Chargers 14, Texans 0

12:57 left in the half.

[Arky]

The route is on! Ekeler runs it in from 20.

Texans defense acting like the worst rushing defense in the league.

Chargers 21, Texans 0

10 minutes left in the half.