Quick Hits: Texans vs. Chargers

Now that Houston has cast off a punter, signed another one, missed out on one of the only capable Dolphins left, and learned that Jalen Ramsey might be up for grabs, it’s time to focus on the San Diego Los Angeles Chargers. Here’s the juiciest of stats to chew on:

• These two teams have faced each other five times, with the Chargers winning four of those contests. Houston head coach Bill O’Brien has never beaten the Chargers as an NFL head coach- fortunately for BO’B, he’s only gone up against them once.
• Chargers coach Anthony Lynn has never beaten the Houston Texans, but he’s also never faced them before, so there’s that.
• You Houston Texans are currently giving up 21.0 points per game while scoring only 20.5, but two games does not a trend make.
• The San Diego Chargers are averaging 20.0 points per game and giving up 18.0.
• Houston’s offense is averaging 338.5 yards per game, while the Chargers are gaining 429.5. The defenses are allowing 395.5 versus 357.5.
• Houston is currently +1 in the turnover differential while San Diego Los Angeles is -2.
• The one thing the Chargers are seriously lacking is a Whitney Mercilus. Not only is Merc the Texans’ leading sacker with three in the first two games, he’s also their leading interceptor with one.
• When it comes to kickers, Ka’imi Fairbairn rules, as last year’s #1 kicker in all the land is currently a perfect 5/5 in PATs and 2/2 on field goals.
• Chargers kicker Ty Long has missed two field goals already. With the low scoring average of these two teams, it’s not unreasonable to expect Long’s mistakes to tip the game in Houston’s favor after Fairbairn nails a field goal or three.
• If Deshaun Watson has a complete game, he’ll notch his third straight against the AFC West with a 115+ quarterback rating. Hopefully, his back has enough time to heal and we won’t see another repeat of last week’s underwhelming passing performance.
• Watson ended the game against the Jaguars with the 27th best passing performance on the week, while San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers landed 9th best.
• Houston currently has the 24th rated passing offense; the Chargers are ranked 8th.
• The Texans’ rushing attack is currently 5th in the league, while the Chargers are 10th.
• When it comes to scoring, your Houston Texans are 16th in the NFL; the Chargers are sitting in the 11th spot.
• Texans rushing leader Carlos Hyde has 173 yards on the season, averaging a whopping 5.8 yards per carry.

• Chargers tailback Austin Ekeler has 124 yards so far, with a respectable 4.3 yard average. Expect that number to go down this week.
• Defensively, Houston’s J.J. Watt is #2 in the NFL in sacks since he entered the league in 2011.
• Rookie defensive end Charles Omenihu is trying to follow Watt’s lead, as he notched landed a sack and a fumble recovery in his first ever NFL action last week.
• Chargers standout Joey Bosa has notched a sack in two of his last three home games.
• Melvin Ingram has had a sack in each of his last three games versus AFC South teams.
• There isn’t much hear that screams this game is going to be a barn burner, but watching Philip Rivers and Deshaun Watson go toe-to-toe could make for some very exciting football.

Based on the stats and what we’ve seen from the two teams so far, it’s more likely to end up a low-scoring, ball control, field position battle with a close final score somewhere in the high teens or low 20s per team.