The NFL playoffs kick off on Saturday afternoon in Houston, TX at 4:30 p.m. ET when the Texans host the Chargers. We’ve built our favorite Chargers vs. Texans Same Game Parlay, which includes a selection on the spread.
Chargers vs. Texans Same Game Parlay: Houston Texans +3
The Texans surprised the masses by winning the AFC South and then upsetting the Browns in the Wild Card Round just one year ago. They failed to live up to expectations this season, however. While they did repeat as AFC South champions, quarterback C.J. Stroud suffered a sophomore slump and injuries to Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell destroyed one of the better receiver rooms in the NFL.
That said, Jim Harbaugh’s philosophy is to run the ball, play good defense and get the game to the fourth quarter. I think that strategy applies even when the Chargers have the better team. And while Houston’s offense disappointed this season, the defense still boasted solid numbers. Under DeMeco Ryans, this team will be prepared defensively.
After playing in New England and Las Vegas the past two weeks, the Chargers are also playing their third consecutive game on the road. Over the past three seasons, teams playing the third game or later of any road trip are 5-12 straight up. In the playoffs, those teams are just 11-27 straight up.
Chargers vs. Texans Same Game Parlay: Ladd McConkey over 75.5 Receiving Yards (-113)
The rookie McConkey emerged this season as Justin Herbert’s go-to receiver and the most reliable option in the Chargers’ passing attack. McConkey has gone over his receiving yards total in three consecutive games. He’s gone over his receiving yards total in seven out of the last eight games he’s played.
More importantly, the rookie receiver has beaten this exact number (75.5) in six out of his last seven games. The lone exception was when he was held to 58 receiving yards by the Bucs on December 15. Otherwise, McConkey has consistently racked up big yardage in the passing game.
Chargers vs. Texans Same Game Parlay: Joe Mixon under 71.5 Rushing Yards (-113)
Mixon had a strong season after joining the Texans in the offseason. He averaged 17.5 rushes for 72.6 yards per game, which is his highest rates since 2021.
That said, from Week 10 on, Mixon has not been effective for Houston. He’s only rushed for 3.4 yards per carry, which ranks 42nd out of 45 running backs to run the ball 50 or more times. He’s averaged 0.92 yards before contact per rush over that span after averaging 1.52 yards before contact per rush prior. So, he’s either slowed down over the year, or Houston’s rushing attack simply hasn’t been productive. Either way, I’m fading Mixon.
Mixon’s 10 game average for rushing yards is 61.5. He’s gone under his rushing yards total in four straight games and in five out of his last six games overall.
Same Game Parlay Odds: +651 (Fanduel Sportsbook)