Clear edgeHOU
Houston Texans
79.3PFM Team Score#16 NFL
Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Houston Texans higher than the Los Angeles Chargers overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the more dependable offense and the clearer long-term football direction.
Current PFM Team Scores
LAC
Los Angeles Chargers
76.3PFM Team Score#21 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Houston Texans Higher
The Houston Texans have the more dependable offense. The unit has more ways to create points when a game forces the team away from its preferred approach. Los Angeles' strongest counterargument is Coaching Direction. The Los Angeles Chargers have the stronger coaching operation under Jim Harbaugh. The advantage shows up in preparation, adjustments and pressure situations.
Houston also brings the clearer long-term football direction. That is enough to keep the Houston Texans ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Houston vs. Los Angeles Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
HOUHouston Texans
LACLos Angeles Chargers
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Los Angeles Chargers’ Best Argument
The staff edge favors the Los Angeles Chargers. Jim Harbaugh gives the team steadier direction than Houston has on the sideline. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Houston still answers with the more dependable offense and the clearer long-term football direction, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
HOU79.3
Houston Texans 79.3LAC76.3
Los Angeles Chargers 76.3Overall NFL Rank
HOU#16
Houston Texans #16LAC#21
Los Angeles Chargers #21QB Stability
HOU82.1
Houston Texans 82.1LAC81.5
Los Angeles Chargers 81.5Roster Strength
HOU78.8
Houston Texans 78.8LAC77.7
Los Angeles Chargers 77.7Coaching Direction
HOU80.7
Houston Texans 80.7LAC84.6
Los Angeles Chargers 84.6Recent Performance
HOU71.8
Houston Texans 71.8LAC63.0
Los Angeles Chargers 63.0Offense
HOU81.6
Houston Texans 81.6LAC66.1
Los Angeles Chargers 66.1Defense
HOU79.7
Houston Texans 79.7LAC80.6
Los Angeles Chargers 80.6Franchise Direction
HOU79.9
Houston Texans 79.9LAC76.3
Los Angeles Chargers 76.3Explosiveness
HOU80.7
Houston Texans 80.7LAC69.8
Los Angeles Chargers 69.8Conference Rank
HOU#9
Houston Texans #9LAC#10
Los Angeles Chargers #10Division Rank
HOU#2
Houston Texans #2LAC#3
Los Angeles Chargers #3Outlook
HOUIn the Playoff MixLACIn the Playoff Mix
Same outlookSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Houston Texans
Remaining schedule rank: #29
Toughest stretch: Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars
Strongest opponents: Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens
Next five difficulty: 76.7
View Houston Texans Road AheadLos Angeles Chargers
Remaining schedule rank: #5
Toughest stretch: San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs
Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams
Next five difficulty: 80.4
View Los Angeles Chargers Road AheadLos Angeles has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 5. The strongest opponents include Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams. Houston also has the more favorable road, which adds to the more dependable offense and the clearer long-term football direction.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated October 27, 2026. Schedule data updated October 29, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams