Texans vs. Chargers live score, updates, highlights from NFL Saturday game originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Houston Texans will go on the road to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. The game between two AFC opponents will be held on Saturday, December 27, and will be the first of two NFL tilts today.
The Texans enter the game at 10-5, in second place in the AFC South. Houston still needs to clinch a playoff spot and heads into the week as the current No. 7 seed in the AFC. The Texans have a simple way to earn a playoff berth in Week 17:
Win.
Houston can also clinch a spot if the Indianapolis Colts lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars, as well as via another convoluted scenario requiring six specific wins over the weekend.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, is already playoff-bound. The Chargers have clinched a playoff berth and are now playing for seeding. Los Angeles can still win the AFC West, but it would need to win this week and have the Denver Broncos lose to the Patrick Mahomes-less Kansas City Chiefs. More likely, Los Angeles is playing for wild-card seeding and aiming to earn the No. 5 seed, which would go on the road to face the weakest division winner.
The Sporting News is tracking LIVE updates and highlights from the Saturday afternoon game in Week 17.
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Texans vs. Chargers score
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Texans vs. Chargers live updates, highlights from NFL Saturday game
5:29 p.m. — Marks pick up five on first down, and Stroud had an incompletion on second down. The Texans quarterback was then picked by Derwin James on third down.
Derwin James said “I’ll take that.”
HOUvsLAC on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/jC5cfMYWvR— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025
5:26 p.m. — Hampton picked up one on first down and then Herbert missed Quentin Johnston on second down. Herbert then connected with his tight end Oronde Gadsden III for a gain of six and the Chargers punted once again.
5:19 p.m. — Stroud tosses it to Marks and he picked up three to end the first quarter. After the break, Stroud had another incompletion setting up third and seven. The Texans QB then found Nico Collins for the first time in the game to pick up 15 and the fresh set of downs.
Jordan picked up eight and then Hutchinson had an 8-yard run on an end around. Jordan got stuffed at the line. After the play on second down, tight end Dalton Schultz was called for unnecessary roughness for retaliating against someone that shoved him. The Texans were not able to make up for the loss of yards and were forced to punt.
5:07 p.m. — Herbert checks down to Hampton for a gain of six. Hampton again gets stuffed at the line, and the Chargers faced third and four. The L.A. QB slung it to Keenan Allen, but he couldn’t hang onto it forcing another Chargers punt.
5:02 p.m. — Stroud stays perfect on the day with a completion to Noel for a gain of four. Backup running back Jawhar Jordan picked up two, and then Stroud connected with Christian Kirk for a five-yard gain that was good enough for the first down.
Nick Chubb started the drive with a carry for a single yard. Stroud then had his first incompletion of the game. Facing third and long, Stroud threw the ball away and Houston punts.
4:55 p.m. — The Chargers’ rookie running back started the drive with consecutive carries, picking up a total of seven yards. On third and three, Herbert flipped it to Tre Harris for the first down after play action.
Hampton picked up five on the next play, but then got stuffed on second down. On third down, for the second time in the game, Herbert was sacked.
Despite facing the early 14-point deficit, the Chargers elected to punt.
TOUCHDOWN — Texans 14, Chargers 0
4:47 p.m. — Stroud started the drive with a 13-yard pass to Higgins. Marks then picked up five before Stroud connected with Xavier Hutchinson for a gain of 11. The Texans quarterback then aired the ball out to Noel once again, this time for a 43-yard score. That’s two touchdowns for the pair today.
AND THEN A 43-YARD TOUCHDOWN@CJ7STROUD is on fire.
HOUvsLAC on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/zcHDq3vB1O— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025
4:42 p.m. — Omarion Hampton picked up five yards on two carries to begin Los Angeles’ opening drive. Herbert was then sacked for a loss of nine, and the Chargers had a quick three-and-out.
TOUCHDOWN — Texans 7, Chargers 0
4:36 p.m. — Woody Marks starts the game with a five-yard run. He missed last week’s game due to an injury. Marks then picked up four on second down, and then C.J. Stroud opted to throw deep on third and one. The Texans quarterback hit Jayden Higgins for the 75-yard score.
TEXANS STRIKE FIRST WITH A 75-YARD TOUCHDOWN 🔥
HOUvsLAC on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/zyvsNMYuMi— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025
4:33 p.m. — It is time for kickoff. The Chargers have won the toss and have elected to defer. The Texans will start with the ball.
Pre Game
4:12 p.m. — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been sacked 49 times his season, the third-most in the league. Being down a starting right tackle will have the Texans’ defensive line ready to get to Herbert early and often.
3:56 p.m. — The Texans will counter with white jerseys and white pants with dark blue helmets.
so fresh and so clean 🥶 pic.twitter.com/jXL1Mvb5pd
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 27, 2025
3:47 p.m. — The Chargers will be wearing their navy blue jerseys, pants and helmets for Saturday afternoon’s game.
navy always hits pic.twitter.com/ZS6PRfKm6n
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 27, 2025
3:07 p.m.: Los Angeles will be without Kimani Vidal against the league’s top defense.
our inactives for #HOUvsLAC
WR Derius Davis
CB Benjamin St-Juste
S RJ Mickens
RB Kimani Vidal
OLB Kyle Kennard
OL Jamaree Salyer
TE Tyler Conklin— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 27, 2025
Though, rookie Omarion Hampton has been back for three games now and has taken over as the Chargers’ workhorse back. Expect him to get the majority of the carries today, maybe even more than usual now that Vidal is out.
3:01 p.m.: Houston has posted its inactives for today’s game.
Our inactives for #HOUvsLAC ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/d7w0MfG388
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 27, 2025
Most notably, left tackle Trent Brown was ruled out earlier in the week with knee and ankle injuries.
3:00 p.m.: Justin Herbert is top-10 in the NFL in passing yards and top-five in touchdowns.
Herbie getting loose
HOUvsLAC – 4:30pm ET on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/s6DVbhLIdz— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025
Today, he faces a Texans defense that ranks first in the NFL in yards per game and scoring defense.
2:49 p.m.: The first player on the field is Los Angeles’ Derwin James.
Chargers S Derwin James is the first player on the field today. pic.twitter.com/YtXb1h2JzY
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) December 27, 2025
James is the captain of a Chargers defense that has not allowed more than 19 points on the four-game win streak.
2:39 p.m.: A lot of the talk is about the Houston Texans, who are riding a seven-game win streak and are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. But, don’t forget about the 11-4 Los Angeles Chargers.
fitted down pic.twitter.com/xMlewZTuZo
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 27, 2025
Los Angeles enters today’s game on a four-game win streak and a playoff berth clinched. With a win, the Chargers can win the AFC West if they defeat the Broncos in Week 18, and also stay alive for the No. 5 seed in the AFC.
2:13 p.m.: There are major playoff implications lying in Los Angeles today, not only for the teams playing, but for the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Denver Broncos.
Two Saturday games today and they both have massive playoff implications 👀
– The @HoustonTexans clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Chargers
– The @Broncos clinch the AFC West with a Chargers loss or tieHOUvsLAC – 4:30pm ET on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/cHoMW4H20n— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025
Denver will clinch the AFC West with a Houston win.
1:52 p.m.: C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are in the house.
A win today and @CJ7STROUD and the @HoustonTexans are in the playoffs 👀
HOUvsLAC – 4:30pm ET on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/Pj87YhS05N— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025
With a win, the Texans clinch a berth in the postseason.
Where to watch Texans vs. Chargers
Texans vs. Chargers start time
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 27
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Houston and Los Angeles’ Week 17 clash is set to kickoff at 4:30 p.m. ET. It will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
What channel is Texans vs. Chargers on today?
- TV Channel: NFL Network
- Live stream: NFL+, Fubo
Saturday’s game between the Texans and the Chargers will air nationally on NFL Network. Rich Eisen will be the play-by-play announcer, with Kurt Warner serving as the color commentator. Jamie Erdahl and Megan Olivi will serve as the sideline reporters.
Cord-cutters can watch the game with NFL+ or Fubo, the latter of which carries NFL Network in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial.
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order heading into Week 17
NFL Week 17 schedule
Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | Cowboys at Commanders | 1:00 p.m. | Netflix |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | Lions at Vikings | 4:30 p.m. | Netflix |
| Thu, Dec. 25 | Broncos at Chiefs | 8:15 p.m. | Prime Video |
Saturday, December 27
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Sat, Dec. 27 | Texans at Chargers | 4:30 p.m. | NFL Network |
| Sat, Dec. 27 | Ravens at Packers | 8:00 p.m. | Peacock (Exclusive) |
Sunday, December 28
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Buccaneers at Dolphins | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Steelers at Browns | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Cardinals at Bengals | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Jaguars at Colts | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Seahawks at Panthers | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Patriots at Jets | 1:00 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Saints at Titans | 1:00 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Giants at Raiders | 4:05 p.m. | CBS |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Eagles at Bills | 4:25 p.m. | FOX |
| Sun, Dec. 28 | Bears at 49ers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC/Peacock |
Monday, December 29
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
| Mon, Dec. 29 | Rams at Falcons | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |

