NFL Best Bets For Tonight (December 27): Texans vs Chargers Betting Odds & Player Prop Bets

NFL week 17 has arrived, and there's a critical Saturday matchup featuring the Texans and Chargers!  Yes, you read that correctly. There's football on Saturday!(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Both the Houston Texans (10-5, 4-3 away) and Los Angeles Chargers (11-4, 6-2 home) are near locks to make the NFL playoffs. And according to ESPN, both squads have less than a 25% chance of winning their division. However, today is the day the Texans can make the playoffs (as a wildcard) with a win. While the Chargers have already clinched a playoff spot, they have a chance to win the AFC West against the Broncos next week.

But first, they need a victory today against Houston.

Of course, this is a rematch between these two teams that faced off in the AFC Wild-Card round last season. Dominating the Chargers 32-12, it was the Texans' defense that took care of business. Now is the Chargers' chance at redemption at home.

AFC Matchup: Houston Texans vs LA Chargers

The sportsbooks are predicting a close one, as Justin Hebert and the Chargers are a slim 1.5-point spread favorite at home. With the over/under set at 39.5, oddsmakers are projecting a low-scoring affair.

The Texans have found their groove under head coach DeMeco Ryans, winning seven straight games after a rocky start. C.J. Stroud is healthy, and we are talking about a team that boasts an elite defense. For Jim Harbaugh and company, the Chargers have won four straight against the Cowboys, Chiefs, Eagles, and Raiders.

Overall, this is a must-win for both teams, as the Texans are vying for the last wild-card spot. The Chargers will look to continue to rack up victories and defeat the Broncos for the AFC West title. With high-stakes, this should be pure cinema tonight. Over 60% of the public bets are on the Texans.  Can they pull it off once again on the road?

Odds Are Current As Of December 27 AT 10 A.M. ET

If you're betting on the NFL, the Texans and Chargers will face off at 4:30 p.m. at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.  Set to air on the NFL Network, it's the ninth time these two squads have met since 2007. Over that span, both teams are 4-4, and the Chargers are 5-3 ATS.

Let's take a look at my three best bets, player prop picks, and predictions for tonight's NFL matchup featuring the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers. In this article, you will find bets for Ka'imi Fairbairn, Omari0n Hampton, and the total points scored.

Are you in search of further NFL and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here. 

NFL WEEK 17 BETS: Houston Texans vs LA Chargers FanDuel Odds For December 27

MONEYLINE

• HOUSTON TEXANS: +100
• LA CHARGERS: -118

SPREAD

• HOUSTON TEXANS: +1.5 (-108)
• LA CHARGERS: -1.5 (-112)

 OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)

• OVER: 39.5 (-110)
• UNDER: 39.5 (-110)

BEST ODDS FOR HOUSTON TEXANS VS LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

• BetMGM has the best odds, favoring the Los Angeles Rams by 1.5 points (-105)
• The Houston Texans will get their eighth game on the road this NFL season.  FanDuel offers the best odds at -108, tabbing the Texans as 1.5-point spread underdogs.
• DraftKings and BetMGM currently offer the best odds for the game totals. DraftKings offers the best value for the under (39.5) at -108, while BetMGM offers the best value for the over (39.5) at -110 odds.

Houston Texans vs LA Chargers Injury Report

TEXANS

1. Airoentae Ersery, LT: QUESTIONABLE
2. Trent Brown, RT: OUT
3. Tank Dell, WR: OUT
4. Jamal Hill, LB: OUT
5. Jimmie Ward, FS: OUT
6. Kurt Hinish, DT: OUT

CHARGERS

1. Jamaree Salyer, LT: OUT
2. Mekhi Becton, RG: QUESTIONABLE
3. Teair Tart, NT: QUESTIONABLE
4. Denzel Perryman, LB: SUSPENDED
5. Kimani Vidal, RB: QUESTIONABLE
6. Derius Davis, WR: OUT

NFL Predictions for Saturday, December 27, Week 17: Texans vs Chargers

NFL Player Prop Bets Tonight: Ka'imi Fairbairn

• OVER 7.5 Kicking Points (-128 DraftKings)

My first best bet for Saturday, I placed one unit on Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn to record over 7.5 kicking points.

Considered one of the best kickers in the NFL, Fairbairn is second in the league with 36 FGM and FGA (40).  100% (21-21) from the 30-49 range, we already know Fairbairn has range with a longest field goal of 57 yards this season.

With the over/under set at 39.5, we know this game is predicted to be a low-scoring affair. In that case, we typically see field goals, and several of them. And when it comes to kicking points, that includes field goals and extra points.

Is Ka'imi Fairbairn The Best Kicker In The NFL?

I highly doubt the Texans will get many extra points here. Fairbairn ranks No. 23 with 24 XPM and XPA this season. Now the Texans face a stingy Chargers defense that ranks No. 9 in defensive DVOA, allowing just 283.1 total yards per game. With that said, the Chargers limit teams to 20.1 points per game.

I'm fairly confident in this player prop since Fairbairn has soared over this line in seven straight games. Averaging 11.6 kicking points over that span, Fairbairn has been a crucial x-factor against the Bills and especially Indianapolis.

While he's missed critical field goals from 50+ yards (8-12), Fairbairn has a respectable 90 % field goal percentage and ranks fourth in the NFL with 132 points.

Tallying 12 kicking points in Houston's Wild-Card victory over LA last year, Fairbairn has been absolutely lights out in terms of this prop. Missing this line in all but three games, he's in line for a prime matchup tonight.

Final Texans vs Chargers NFL betting prediction: Ka'imi Fairbairn Over 7.5 Kicking Points (-128 DraftKings)

After all, the Chargers have allowed an average of 15.75 points over the last four games against Dallas, Kansas City, Philly, and Las Vegas. In fact, over that win streak, they've allowed just six touchdowns, 7/8 field goals, and 6/6 extra-point attempts.

• I'm taking Ka'imi Fairbairn to record over 7.5 kicking points. This game may very well come down to special teams, and Fairbairn should be heavily involved against a stingy LA defense. Overall, he's recorded 2+ field goals in 10 straight games, and is 3-4 from 50+ yards out over the past two games. Plus, the Texans have been busy in the special teams department, kicking 7-8 field goals over the last two weeks. 

NFL Player Prop Bets Tonight: Omarion Hampton

• OVER 11.5 Receiving Yards (-115 DraftKings)

My second-best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Chargers running back Omarion Hampton to record over 11.5 receiving yards.

Hampton is back and healthy, and should be the Chargers' No.1 back, especially since Vidal is questionable. Hampton has been serviceable, averaging 61.5 rushing yards per game since his 128-yard breakout performance against the New York Giants.

We've seen Hampton productive in the backfield, totaling 59, 37, and 26 receiving yards against the Broncos, Giants, and Commanders earlier this season. While not a massive threat in the receiving game, he's another weapon for Herbert alongside Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, Tre Harris, and Quentin Johnston.

Why Omarion Hampton Can Clear This Player Prop Line Tonight

Recording 10+ receiving yards in two of the last three games, I know Hampton hasn't exactly been monstrous in the receiving game, but he's why he can be.

Overall, the Texans have been middle of the road, allowing the 15th-most receiving yards to running backs. We've especially seen this recently with Ashton Jeanty (60 receiving yards), Jonathan Taylor (36 receiving yards), and Christian McCaffrey (43 receiving yards).

We already know Houston boasts one of the top defenses in the NFL, ranking second in defensive DVOA and third in defensive rush DVOA. But to be fair, this is why the Chargers drafted him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of UNC. He can be a threat in the backfield and has 15 receptions on 16 targets over the last five games.

Final Texans vs Chargers NFL betting prediction: Omarion Hampton Over 11.5 Receiving Yards (-115 DraftKings)

Either Herbert is going to have to utilize his legs or Hampton in the backfield, given that the Texans rank No.5 in rush EPA.

• I'm taking Omari0n Hampton to record over 11.5 receiving yards today. The Texans' pass rush is elite, and Houston has given up 12+ receiving yards to 11 running backs this season. This may be a prime option, especially since the Chargers' offensive line is banged-up. Once he gets going, Hampton is an explosive back and may only need 1-2 receptions to clear this prop line. 

Total Bet: Texans vs Chargers

• Houston Texans vs. LA Chargers OVER 39.5 Points (-110 Fanatics)

My third-best bet for Saturday, I placed one unit on the Texans vs. Chargers matchup to soar over 39.5 points.

The line has slowly crept up to 40.5 points on FanDuel; however, this is one of the lowest projected scoring outings of NFL week 17. Of course, the Texans and Chargers, respectively, rank No. 2 and No. 9 in defensive DVOA.

I can see how this line is set, especially since the Texans and Chargers allow less than 22 points per game.  And if we look at the stats, they don't lie. The Texans have limited opponents to 16.5 points over the last six games, and the Chargers to 15.7 points over the past four games. In fact, neither team has allowed an opponent to score over 21 points over the last four games.

If we dive into the records, the Texans have a 5-9-1 over/under record, and the Chargers have a 6-8-1 over/under record. I do believe 39.5 is a low number, and the Texans have soared over that total in two straight games, and three of the last five. In fact, the Chargers have cleared this betting line in four of the last five. So really, I do believe this game could result in a 23-20 field goal, or something of that nature.

Final Texans vs Chargers NFL betting prediction: Over 39.5 Points (-110 Fanatics)

The stakes are high, and I don't necessarily trust either team's defense right now. However, their last three head-to-head outings have soared over, and both teams have offensive line injuries.

• I'm taking the over tonight. Both offenses are getting healthier, which could very well be the x-factor. It's a rematch of last year's AFC Wild-Card matchup. One would think the Chargers would be more inclined to score more than 12 points. Take this line now before it shifts!