Here are four bold predictions for the Houston Texans’ matchup against the L.A. Chargers.
After winning last week’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and earning the season sweep, the Texans are set to play their second-to-last home game of the season against the Los Angels Chargers. For the Texans, there isn’t anything to play for but pride and a chance to play spoiler to a Chargers team that has been clinging to their postseason hopes for some time.
Not to mention the wave of players that landed on the COVID-19 list for the Chargers. That may open the door for a closer game when one looks at it on paper, but as long as Justin Herbert is the quarterback for L.A., the chances of that happening are slim. There are going to be some bold predictions for this game, so let’s get into them:
Bold prediction #1: Brandin Cooks has his third-straight 100-yard receiving game
Brandin Cooks is the only offensive star that the Houston Texans’ front office hasn’t cut, traded, or waived. While it’s hard to offload a contract as big as Cooks, keeping him around has been one of the few bright spots for this team. Cooks has four total 100-yard games and has done it in back-to-back weeks.
Due to the high amount of possessions the Texans will have due to the Chargers scoring so much, Cooks will rack up another 100-yard day. Cooks’ touchdown forecast is just one for the day,
The Houston Texans will have less than 60 rushing yards
The fact that the Texans rushing attack is dead last in the league shouldn’t surprise anyone. What good would a run-first offense do without a premier running back or offensive line? Unfortunately, that answer is relatively nothing as the Texans have only gained 1,083 rushing on the season. In addition, Houston has only two 100-yard games- Week 1 against the Jaguars and Week 6 on the road against the Colts.
Houston has also contributed the following yards in each game (grouped by 10-yard increments)
- 40-50: four times (42,42,44,48)
- 50-60: none
- 60-70: two times (63,67)
- 70-80: two times (73. 75)
- 80-90: three times (82,83,84)
The surprising fact is that the Chargers defense is has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards to opponents this year. As juicy of a matchup as that is, Houston’s offensive line won’t be able to get the job done against a potentially hampered Chargers defense. It will be up to Davis Mills to lead this team down the field and have a shot at victory.
Speaking of Mills…
Davis Mills gets first career rush T.D. at the goal line
When you think of Davis Mills, you think more about him in the passing game than as a runner. With only 29 yards rushing on the season, that’s fair to consider him a pass-first guy. However, when the Houston Texans get down to the goal line against Los Angeles, they’re going to use Mills as a rushing weapon.
While a quarterback sneak at the goal line is one of the most expected plays of all time, a quarterback bootleg is not. Instead, mills will fake the handoff and ramble on in for a touchdown that takes as long as Peyton Manning did against the Dallas Cowboys a few years ago.
Let’s get bolder with this one since this team has nothing to lose: this will happen on the first drive of the game, and the Texans will take a 7-0 lead on the Chargers. Sounds like fun, eh?
Justin Jackson will have more than 100 all-purpose yards
The Chargers’ backfield has been a slight timeshare between Austin Ekeler, Justin Jackson, and Joshua Kelley. Especially in their last game against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers rushed for 196 yards instead of the Chief’s 86 yards.
Justin Jackson may be the starting running back on Sunday, and it’s all dependent on the status of Ekeler as he tries to come off the COVID-19/reserve list. Jackson is just as good of an athlete as Ekeler is, but being behind him on the depth chart will make many people forget about you.
Jackson will be catching six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, meanwhile rushing for 87 yards on 14 carries. It’s most likely going to end up in a Chargers’ blowout of the Texans, and Jackson will do his part to ensure that happens.
Final score: Chargers 41, Houston 21.