Texans vs. Chargers score, live updates: Playoff implications abound as Houston, Los Angeles face off

The Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers have a huge game in Week 17, withwild-card and divisional implications. The Chargers have clinched a playoff spot, while the Texans are still in the hunt, just one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South.

Houston (10-5) is on a seven-game win streak and feels destined for a playoff run led by the No. 1 defense in the NFL. All that needs to be settled is whether it'll be on the road as a wild card in the first round or playing at home as the AFC South champs for a third consecutive year. The only thing that could hold back Houston is an offense that occasionally gets in its own way.

This Chargers (11-4) team has hung around all season and quietly has a chance to win the AFC West after trailing in the division for most of the season. The Chargers made easy work of the Cowboys in Week 16 and received a helping hand when Jacksonville knocked off Denver. If the Chargers can get past Houston this week, it could set up a winner-take-all scenario in the final week of the season when they take on the Broncos in Denver.

How to watch Texans vs. Chargers

Texans-Chargers start time:4:30 p.m. ETLocation:SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, Calif.TV channel, live stream:CBS, NFL Network

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Chargers battle it out on Saturday afternoon:

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  Sat, December 27, 2025 at 10:02 PM GMT+2

  Sean Leahy

  LA going with navy "Super Chargers" uniforms vs. Texans

  This will be the third time this season the Chargers will go for the vintage look as they hope to go 3-0 in these uniforms.

  The getup is a nod to the 1990s-2000s era that saw the franchise reach Super Bowl XXIX and then a run of five AFC West titles in six years.

  navy always hits pic.twitter.com/ZS6PRfKm6n

  — Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 27, 2025

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  Sat, December 27, 2025 at 10:00 PM GMT+2

  Sean Leahy

  What today's game means for both Chargers, Texans

  5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)*: Remaining schedule — vs. Houston Texans, at Denver Broncos

  Notable odds: The Chargers are in the postseason after the Colts lost on Monday. And suddenly, LA control its own path to an AFC West title if it wins out, including at the Broncos in the season finale. The Chargers are also alive for the No. 1 seed at 3%, according to The Athletic.

  7. Houston Texans (10-5): Remaining schedule — at Los Angeles Chargers, vs. Indianapolis Colts

  Playoff-clinching scenarios:

  • Texans win or tie, OR

  • Colts loss or tie, OR

  • Texans clinch strength of victory tiebreaker over Colts (Ravens win + Bills win + Chiefs win + 49er win + Falcons loss + Dolphins loss

  Notable odds: The Texans are a near lock to make the playoffs but have just a 21% chance of winning the AFC South, per The Athletic.

  Read more about the NFL playoff picture here.