The Chargers and Texans play in the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday.
Kickoff from NRG Stadium is at 1:30 p.m. (PT).
The Bolts are 3-point favorites over the Texans, with the over/under at 42 points.
Here are five final thoughts ahead of the Wild Card Round.
1. The playoffs are here
Welcome to playoff football ... and a new season for the Chargers.
The Bolts cemented their standing as one of the AFC's top teams by winning 11 games in Jim Harbaugh's first season in Los Angeles.
But none of that matters now.
All the Chargers are focused on is walking off the field Saturday with a win.
"There were 32 teams, now there's 12 that the football world will be focused on this weekend," Harbaugh said. "Excited about that, but we don't want to settle, we want more.
"We want to be there when the football world is focused on eight teams next weekend then four teams the week after that then the two teams the week after that," Harbaugh added. "Excited and focused. We're on a mission. Mission is to go 1-0 this weekend."
Chargers Defensive Coordinator said this week that the team isn't looking at the postseason as a four-game sprint to try and win it all.
Instead, the postseason is about a one-game season each week, starting against a Houston team that went 10-7 this season and won its second straight AFC South title.
Khalil Mack, who is aiming for his first playoff win in Year 11, has implored a heightened sense of urgency this week.
"By any means necessary," Mack said. "Whatever you can do to win, do it. Whether it's studying film, making sure your body is squared away and then when the moment comes, just making sure you're ready for it.
"We prepare for it all year long, but the focus goes up a little bit more, the level of detail goes up a lot more," Mack said. "Just making sure you prepare mentally and physically."
Even with the Chargers as favorites, they know Saturday won't be an easy task against a Texans team that won a home playoff game only a season ago.
The 2024 regular season was a special one for the Bolts.
But the real fun begins now.
"The most important thing is to trust yourself," Justin Herbert said. "We didn't get here by chance or by luck. We put in the work … we've earned this spot. But nothing else is given. We have to survive and go out there and make plays."
Derwin James, Jr. added: "We know what we got in this [locker] room ... we believe in ourselves and I can't wait for everybody to get to see it on Saturday."
2. Strength vs. strength
If you're looking for a specific matchup to key in on Saturday, pay close attention when the Chargers offense is on the field.
Houston boasts one of the NFL's top pass-rushing duos in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr., a tandem that each registered 12.0 and 11.0 sacks, respectively, this season.
The Bolts will counter with offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, who each posted top-20 Pro Football Focus grade among players at their position. Slater was second overall (91.1) while Alt, a rookie, landed at No. 19 (77.6).
"Obviously different skillsets from both of them," Slater said. "I saw a little bit of Hunter before last year in Minnesota and he's been playing really well this year. Will Anderson, too. Just have to be ready to roll. A lot of different play styles."
Alt added: "They're both really athletic and physical guys. They both have the ability to hit you with power on the edge but are athletic enough to turn the corner. You really have to be on you're 'A game' with both of them."
What makes this matchup even more intriguing is that Hunter and Anderson flip sides, too. So it's not as if Slater will only see Hunter and Alt and Anderson will solely battle it out.
As a result, Slater and Alt said they've been comparing notes a bit this week to get ready for the duo.
"We always talk about our thought processes," Slater said. "Guys tend to rush differently on either side. But we're always talking and sharing what we're thinking."
The goal, of course, is to give Herbert as much time as possible in the pocket.
The Bolts quarterback is on fire entering the postseason and is looking for his first-career playoff win on Saturday.
Herbert ranked fourth among all quarterbacks with a 91.7 PFF grade this season.
Houston's defense ranked seventh in EPA per dropback (0.003) this season.
Get an inside look at travel day as the Bolts hit the road from Los Angeles for their Wild Card matchup in Houston!
3. Fresh faces in the postseason
The Chargers have more than a dozen players who will be making their playoff debut Saturday.
Slater is among them as he was injured two years ago when the Bolts lost in the Wild Card Round.
What's his excitement level ahead of his first NFL playoff game?
"Very high. But at the same time, I've always been a guy who likes to treat every game like the same," Slater said. "Just balancing it out and keeping it steady."
Others in this group include Quentin Johnston, Daiyan Henley and other members of the Chargers 2023 draft class.
Of course, the Bolts current rookie class will also be suiting up in the playoffs for the first time.
"Obviously very excited being a rookie and being able to go to the playoffs in your first year," Alt said. "Now it's really honing on the details. Everyone is going to be at their best now so we're going to have to be at our best on the field and ready to go."
Ladd McConkey added: "It's cool, I'm trying to just embrace it and not take anything for granted. I know how hard it is to get to the playoffs so just go in here, play our game and hopefully keep it rolling."
McConkey's mindset was a common mindset in the Chargers locker room this week as veterans implored youngsters to live in the moment.
"Just because you make it to the playoffs this year doesn't guarantee you'll make it next year so while you're here, you want to take advantage of it," Tony Jefferson said.
4. Do the little things right
Morgan Fox is a veteran of four career playoff games, so he's been around long enough to know the difference between wins and losses in the postseason.
"Success in the playoffs is razor thin," Fox said. "You kind of have to be on top of everything. It could be one play. One lapse in focus can cost you the season, so you really have to be locked in for all four quarters."
One way to win in the margins? Take care of the little things.
We hit on this in our Mailbag earlier this week, but the Chargers would be well-advised to have the advantage in key categories such as turnovers, time of possession and red-zone efficiency in Houston.
Here's a quick look at where the Bolts and Texans stack up in those metrics.
Turnovers
Chargers: plus-12 (tied for 3rd)
Texans: plus-10 (7th)
Time of Possession (excluding overtime)
Chargers: 30:40 (9th)
Texans: 30:54 (5th)
3rd-Down Stats
Chargers offense: 40.27 percent (11th)
Chargers defense: 35.71 percent (5th)
Texans offense: 37.66 percent (20th)
Texans defense: 35.91 percent (7th)
Red-Zone Efficiency
Chargers offense: 56.0 percent (18th)
Chargers defense: 45.0 percent (1st)
Texans offense: 49.12 percent (26th)
Texans defense: 63.64 percent (27th)
With all of that in mind, it's clear that the red zone will be a crucial area of Saturday's playoff contest.
But also keep in mind what can't be calculated on the stat sheet, too.
The Chargers went 6-3 on the road this season, losing by 10 in Pittsburgh and by just two points in Arizona and Kansas City.
"It's all about poise," Slater said. "New environment, loud stadium, all that.
"It's how much you can quiet it all down and make it about you each week," Slater added. "I think we did a pretty good job of that all year. This will be no different."
Check out the best photos from Wednesday's practice of Wild Card Weekend as the Bolts gear up for their matchup against the Texans. Stay updated with the latest injury report as the team strategizes for the week ahead.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
5. Respect for Stroud
With the way the Bolts defense talked up C.J. Stroud this week, you'd think the Texans quarterback was a 10-year veteran.
Instead, the 23-year-old Stroud — the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft — just wrapped up his second season in the NFL.
"Excellent quarterback. Solid, does all the right things for the team," Mack said. "We know what he's capable of. The talent, arm talent, ability to throw the deep ball is excellent. I'm just looking forward to the challenge."
Alohi Gilman added: "He's very talented, a guy who's able to make any throw on the field. Very smart player, so it's definitely a challenge for us having to see what we can do to give him some different looks, make him make some hard decisions."
Stroud threw for fewer yards and touchdowns and had more interceptions in 2024 than he did during a 2023 campaign when he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But if there's anyone who knows Stroud's raw talent, it's Harbaugh, who recruited the quarterback a few years ago. Stroud ended up at Ohio State and played against Harbaugh's Michigan squad.
"Watching him on tape as a high school player was like, 'Wow.' Really intrigued," Harbaugh said. "Then flew out to Los Angeles, got in a rental car and drove up to Rancho Cucamonga and just watching him play in person from the side.
"Then I start watching him in the end zone and it's, 'This guy is the real deal, he's going to go all the way.' Wish we would've got him to come to our school. He's a great player," Harbaugh continued. "All the talent is there, and the courage.
"So many times I seen a defender coming right at him and he just stands in there, let's them get close enough almost, knows they're going to hit him and then he's able to get the ball over him, around him," Harbaugh added. "And he's a great guy and tremendous competitor."
It goes without saying that teams that win in the playoffs do a solid job of finding a way to disrupt the opposing quarterback.
The Bolts will have their work cut out for them with Stroud.
"He can make plays with his legs, throw the ball on the run, throw from the pocket, he's really elusive in the pocket," Fox said. "He's somebody who can present a lot of problems. You really have to be disciplined when you're playing against him just because the problems he can create."
James added: "It seems like he's always poised, so we just got to be ready."
