The Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers will face off on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS, a contest that has become a symbol of dramatic seasonal collapse for both franchises. Entering the game, Houston holds a 2-5 record while Los Angeles sits at 0-7. This meeting represents the worst combined record of 2-12 for any two teams entering a Week 9 or later matchup after both had appeared in the previous season's playoffs, a distinction highlighted by CBS research.
Last year, the two clubs were a combined 23-11 during the regular season, with strong expectations for 2026. However, the current season has been difficult for both rosters. Head coaches DeMeco Ryans of Houston and Jim Harbaugh of Los Angeles now appear to be on precarious footing. Recent odds for the first coach to be fired this season show Indianapolis' Shane Steichen as the favorite at -175, while Harbaugh is listed at +800 and Ryans at +1200. This marks the longest stretch of the season without a coaching change since 2017.
Betting markets reflect the uncertainty surrounding the Houston Texans. The team is a 4.5-point favorite at DraftKings, yet they have received 79% of the bets and 99% of the handle. On the low total of 40.5 points, 87% of the money is on the Under, although only 54% of the bets align with that side. The sportsbook projection model gives Houston a win probability of 30%, which rises to 35.9% if they win this game.
The Texans' struggles are largely defensive. Their unit is allowing 6.9 points per game more than last season, rising from 17.4 to 24.3, which is the worst increase in the league. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has performed well despite a disappointing 2025, and he is set to earn significant money on his rookie contract. Oddsmakers initially projected 9.5 wins for Houston, but that number has dropped to 7.5 as the season progresses.
The Los Angeles Chargers have experienced an even more precipitous decline. They are only the third team in the past 30 seasons to start 0-7 after making the playoffs, joining the 1997 and 2011 Indianapolis Colts. Notably, L.A. is the first team to start 0-7 while holding the sixth-shortest or better preseason Super Bowl odds since the 1978 Cincinnati Bengals.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has started every game this season but has been inconsistent. He is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw an interception and take multiple sacks in each of his team's first seven games. His 10 interceptions this season are seven more than in his 2024 breakout year. Herbert has recorded just five touchdown passes and no fourth-quarter scores, making him the first quarterback to start 0-7 after a Pro Bowl season and playoff appearance.
The Chargers' offense has suffered the biggest drop in points per game in the league, falling from 21.7 to 14.1. This decline is occurring under first-year coordinator Mike McDaniel. The team is 0-10 straight up and 0-9-1 against the spread in their last 10 games. Their win total futures have dropped to 4.5, meaning a bettor who took Under 9.5 in the summer could cash out with a Sunday loss.
Despite the poor records, Los Angeles is not without talent. The Chargers have lost 0-6-1 against the spread in their first seven games, a feat not seen since Washington in 1998. The SportsLine Projection Model predicts Houston will win 26-16, but the author leans toward the Chargers covering the 11.5-point spread at home, citing value compared to the Texans' money line.
