Week 9 picks: Who the experts are taking in Texans vs. L.A. Chargers

If the Houston Texans lose on Sunday, they might as well throw in the towel for 2026. Currently sitting at 2-5, the Texans must get back to their winning ways if they plan on making a postseason push. Right now, no one should be talking about the playoffs, especially since Houston has blown three fourth-quarter leads and remains winless at home. The Texans will travel to Los Angeles for a date with the winless Chargers in Week 9. The Bolts, who could be gunning for the No. 1 overall pick, fell short on Sunday in a battle of L.A. showdown against the Rams , where the offense mustered up nine points. The struggles continue for Justin Herbert in a year to forget. While only being sacked twice, the former top gunslinger threw for just 257 yards and threw a pair of interceptions. The Rams ' offense could only muster 281 yards, but two touchdown runs from Blake Corum and Kyren Williams was the x-factor. As for Houston, it's coming off the bye week, though the roster could be in question at wide receiver once more. Second-year breakout star Jaylin Noel suffered a turf toe injury during the loss to the New York Giants in Week 7 and will miss the remainder of the regular season. The Texans will also be without starting safety Reed Blankenship in the secondary, along with running back David Montgomery, who hasn't played in nearly a month. The good news? Nickel defender Jalen Pitre is expected back and Tank Dell is expected to have an expanded role on offense. How do the experts feel about Sunday's showdown between a pair of teams desperate to pick up a win for different reasons? Here are their thoughts entering the battle in SoFi Stadium. USA Today Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz : Texans Jarrett Bell : Texans Nick Brinkerhoff : Texans Chris Bumbaca : Texans Nate Davis : Texans Adam Kauffman: Texans NFL.com Jeremy Bergman: Texans Brooke Cersosimo : Texans Dan Parr : Texans Gennaro Filice : Texans Bobby Kownack : Texans ESPN Stephania Bell : Texans Matt Bowen : Texans Mike Clay : Texans Jeremy Fowler : Texans Dan Graziano : Texans Kalyn Kahler : Texans Pamela Maldonado : Texans Eric Moody : Texans Jason Reid : Texans Ben Solak: Texans Lindsey Thiry : Texans Sam Wickersham : Chargers CBS Sports Pete Prisco : Texans Jared Dubin : Texans Ryan Wilson : Texans John Breech : Texans Tyler Sullivan : Chargers Dave Richard : Texans Jamey Eisenberg : Texans MMQB Albert Breer: Texans Eva Geitheim: Texans Mitch Goldich : Texans Gilberto Manzano: Chargers Conor Orr: Texans John Pluym: Texans Matt Verderame: Texans Mike Kadlick : Texans Bleacher Report Gary Davenport : Texans Brad Gagnon : Chargers Ian Hanford : Texans Kris Knox : Chargers Maurice Moton : Chargers Wes O’Donnell : Chargers Brent Sobleski : Texans Texans Wire Cole Thompson: Texans Ariana Pensey: Texans Houston Chronicle Jonathan M. Alexander: Texans Reid Laymance: Texans Greg Rajan: Texans Peter Warren: Texans Matt Young: Texans