Texans at Chargers (Week 17) | Pre-game Discussion

[Charge!]

Stats don't mean anything in any game. Teams still have to play. Regardless, defenses are pretty much a wash. Chargers have a better offense than the Texans which is why I think they will win.

Defenses are a wash ONLY because Chargers defense is good enough to shut down the horrible Texans offense, but Chargers offense is better BUT Texans defense i way way better and will stuff the Chargers offense!.... this game will be about who avoids stiupid penalties or turn overs...... AND HOPEFULLY CHARGERS STICK TO USING HAMPTON LIKE WE USED LT YEARS AGO?....so HERBERT SURVIVES THIS PASS RUSHING ONSLAUGHT!!!???

[powderblueboy]

Defenses are a wash ONLY because Chargers defense is good enough to shut down the horrible Texans offense, but Chargers offense is better BUT Texans defense i way way better and will stuff the Chargers offense!.... this game will be about who avoids stiupid penalties or turn overs...... AND HOPEFULLY CHARGERS STICK TO USING HAMPTON LIKE WE USED LT YEARS AGO?....so HERBERT SURVIVES THIS PASS RUSHING ONSLAUGHT!!!???

No current NFL defense is way, way better than the Charger D.

Didn't you just guarantee a Charger loss a few weeks ago?

[Boltgang74]

[Whydachargers?]

Things I like about our chances for this Texans game...

1) We have major offensive weapons at RB/WR/TE for Herbert to throw to other than just McConkey.
2) We have a real running back that has the size and speed to make big plays and dominate the Time Of Possession stat..
3) This time it's at "home". I realize home is a relative term for the Chargers but it's better than playing in Houston.
4) Herbert is healthier than the last time these two teams met. He's leaner, stronger and faster. His decision making is also better. That's what I see. Of course there is the matter with Herbert's left hand. It's probably a target for Houston defenders. How well can Justin execute while protecting that hand? Boy.
5) Harbaugh is now more aware of what needs to be done on our offense against great defenses like Houston's. At least he's got to be more aware after that Philadelphia game for sure. That's a good thing for an excellent Head Coach like Harbaugh IMO.
6) Our defense has more quality pass rushers than last time these teams played. At least guys that are on the clear upswing of their careers. The Tuli factor could be huge this game. He's turned up his game this year to a much higher level of play. It's obvious in the stats.
7) I don't see Harbaugh losing twice to anyone...especially in big games over only a year's time (roughly).
8) The Texans could very likely be without their two starting OT's.
9) Herbert is playing on another level for QB-kind. He's making a difference for what people can expect of a QB under less than ideal conditions. He's elevated the expectations for QB's with crappy o-lines.

Things I'm worried about in this matchup...

1) Texans owned us in that playoff game. Flat OUT Domination. That was WITH Alt and Slater! And that's humbling.
2) We haven't improved our interior o-line play from the last time these two teams met. The Texans dominated our interior in the playoff game.
3. Texans have won SEVEN in a row. That has to breed confidence. Including one against the Jaguars.
4) IF the Texans stack the box will Hampton be effective enough as a safety valve if not running the ball? Can Hampton's presence take some of the heat off of Herbert? He's going to HAVE to do that for our offense to have any shot IMO.He's got to be at his best and be effective. That's a lot to ask of any rookie.
5) Doesn't look like we'll have Vidal for this game. I'd much rather have Vidal backing up Hampton than Patterson.
6) That Texans secondary. Reminds me of Philadelphia's but better. Combine that with their pass rush and no wonder their defense is great.
7) No Perryman this game. Woody Marks is a downhill powerful running back that IF HEALTHY (his ankle kept him out of last weeks game) could easily take advantage of Perryman's absence.
8) The Texans are very likely to have a sizable fan presence at SoFi.


I see the Chargers winning this game.

[YAC]

And sometimes Trent Dilfer beats the NYG 34-7 in a SB. Elite QB ? Meh. He was just a decent guy. Defense on the other hand was Elite.

Sure, but you can only call up two, maybe three examples like that in the past 40 years, if even that.

Give me an ELITE offense and an above average defense, with superior coaches...that team will win more titles than the team w/an elite defense.

NFL teams aren't run by dummies: front offices invest much more money and draft capital on their *offense*. They know the obvious: Offense win championships.

[powderblueboy]

Things I like about our chances for this Texans game...

1) We have major offensive weapons at RB/WR/TE for Herbert to throw to other than just McConkey.
2) We have a real running back that has the size and speed to make big plays and dominate the Time Of Possession stat..
3) This time it's at "home". I realize home is a relative term for the Chargers but it's better than playing in Houston.
4) Herbert is healthier than the last time these two teams met. He's leaner, stronger and faster. His decision making is also better. That's what I see. Of course there is the matter with Herbert's left hand. It's probably a target for Houston defenders. How well can Justin execute while protecting that hand? Boy.
5) Harbaugh is now more aware of what needs to be done on our offense against great defenses like Houston's. At least he's got to be more aware after that Philadelphia game for sure. That's a good thing for an excellent Head Coach like Harbaugh IMO.
6) Our defense has more quality pass rushers than last time these teams played. At least guys that are on the clear upswing of their careers. The Tuli factor could be huge this game. He's turned up his game this year to a much higher level of play. It's obvious in the stats.
7) I don't see Harbaugh losing twice to anyone...especially in big games over only a year's time (roughly).
8) The Texans could very likely be without their two starting OT's.
9) Herbert is playing on another level for QB-kind. He's making a difference for what people can expect of a QB under less than ideal conditions. He's elevated the expectations for QB's with crappy o-lines.

Things I'm worried about in this matchup...

1) Texans owned us in that playoff game. Flat OUT Domination. That was WITH Alt and Slater! And that's humbling.
2) We haven't improved our interior o-line play from the last time these two teams met. The Texans dominated our interior in the playoff game.
3. Texans have won SEVEN in a row. That has to breed confidence. Including one against the Jaguars.
4) IF the Texans stack the box will Hampton be effective enough as a safety valve if not running the ball? Can Hampton's presence take some of the heat off of Herbert? He's going to HAVE to do that for our offense to have any shot IMO.He's got to be at his best and be effective. That's a lot to ask of any rookie.
5) Doesn't look like we'll have Vidal for this game. I'd much rather have Vidal backing up Hampton than Patterson.
6) That Texans secondary. Reminds me of Philadelphia's but better. Combine that with their pass rush and no wonder their defense is great.
7) No Perryman this game. Woody Marks is a downhill powerful running back that IF HEALTHY (his ankle kept him out of last weeks game) could easily take advantage of Perryman's absence.
8) The Texans are very likely to have a sizable fan presence at SoFi.


I see the Chargers winning this game.

The interior is playing better as a run blocking unit, along with the Charger auxiliary pieces which includes KA and Tre Harris.
Houston is injured and thin at DT .... which matches the Oline's strength.

It was interior stunts, as well as the edge pressure, that killed the Chargers last year .... now you have DTs who haven't played as much together, and i think the Charger interior is getting better at it.

Picking up blitzing linebackers is the Charger interiors weakness, and Houston doesn't do a whole lot of it.

If the Chargers can't run the ball today, they'll lose.

[Whydachargers?]

The interior is playing better as a run blocking unit, along with the Charger auxiliary pieces which includes KA and Tre Harris.
Houston is injured and thin at DT .... which matches the Oline's strength.

It was interior stunts, as well as the edge pressure, that killed the Chargers last year .... now you have DTs who haven't played as much together, and i think the Charger interior is getting better at it.

Picking up blitzing linebackers is the Charger interiors weakness, and Houston doesn't do a whole lot of it.

If the Chargers can't run the ball today, they'll lose.

All of that resonates. Thank you

[Riverwalk]

The interior is playing better as a run blocking unit,……..

Our opponent isn’t Dallas this week.

[Whydachargers?]

Our opponent isn’t Dallas this week.

Houston is currently hurting a bit at DT. "Injured and thin" as powderblueboy referred to their DT's. That could be big for us. Maybe it will help our o-line give Hampton some semblance of a "lane".

[Riverwalk]

Houston is currently hurting a bit at DT. "Injured and thin" as powderblueboy referred to their DT's. That could be big for us. Maybe it will help our o-line give Hampton some semblance of a "lane".

DT will be a huge problem for Chargers too if Teair Tart can’t play. He’s listed as questionable. Teair has been dominant like Poona Ford was last season and a huge loss if he can’t play.

[Whydachargers?]

DT will be a huge problem for Chargers too if Teair Tart can’t play. He’s listed as questionable. Teair has been dominant like Poona Ford was last season and a huge loss if he can’t play.

I think it would be either of Eboigbe or Ogbonnia filling in. I prefer Eboigbe but whatever works best.

[BigBad]

Deion Sanders won two SBs shutting down "elite" QBs.

You brought up the Ravens and Deion. Ray Lewis and Deion Sanders are as rare as Joe Montana and Tom Brady. Of course, those guys can make one side of the ball insanely tough to beat. But Brady and Montana won significantly more Super Bowls. Add to that the way the rules are called now, If I had a choice of an all-timer, I'd take the QB over a defensive guy.