Houston Texans at L.A. Chargers

Time: 3:25 PM CST (CBS)

Spread: LA -3

Total: 48.5

Odds c/o 5dimes

Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers are 1-1 on the season and 1-0 at home where it will host the Houston Texans as 3-point favorites in NFL action on CBS at 3:25 PM (Central) Sunday. The betting total is set at 48.5 total points according to NFL oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes.

LAC

The Chargers won Week 1 over the Indianapolis Colts and Lost in week 2 to the Detroit Lions. Rivers has thrown 46 of 70 for completion this season while averaging 8.9 yards-per-reception. He has three TD passes and two interceptions while having incurred 2.5 sacks per game for a total of 29-yards lost on the season. His passer rating is a solid 96.5. Rivers’ top targets have been wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler has rushed for 124 yards, but he has caught 12 of 13 targeted passes for 163 yards, two touchdowns and a long-catch of 54 yards. No. 2 running back Justin Jackson is more of a pure-rush threat, with 13 attempts for 116 yards and an 8.9 yard-per-carry average. He has caught just two passes for nine yards. Tight end Hunter Henry has been good in few plays, with four catches on his five targets for 60 yards on the season. The Chargers would do well to focus more on Henry as he has a steady set of hands that Rivers could really optimize with more plays for the tight end.

HOU

The Houston Texans won in week 2, with a 13-12 victory over the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars. It lost 28-30 to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. This week Houston finds itself underdogs again against the Chargers, but Deshaun Watson and company will hope for better. Watson has completed 36 of 59 this season for 427 yards and three touchdowns, but he averages just 7.2 yards-per-reception and he has thrown one pick. He has also been sacked 10 times through just two games for a total loss of 56-yards. His quarterback rating is 77.8 and his passer rating is 93.0.

Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson Jr. both have been good for the Texans in the backfield. Hyde has 173 yards on 30 attempts with a 5.8 yard-per-carry average, and Johnson has rushed 15 times for 88 yards. The only rushing TDs, however, have come from Deshaun Watson, who has rushed twice for touchdowns on his eight attempts for 45 yards. The Texans top receiver is DeAndre Hopkins. He has caught 13 of 21 targeted passes for 151 yards, two touchdowns, and nine first downs.

ATS TRENDS (C/o Covers):