Houston @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 27, 2016 ) Los Angeles 21, Houston 13

The Los Angeles Chargers look to bounce back from a mistake-filled loss when they host the Houston Texans on Sunday. The Chargers dropped a 13-10 decision to Detroit last week, while the Texans held off Jacksonville 13-12.

Los Angeles' miscues were personified by a third-quarter drive during which it had two touchdowns nullified and saw running back Austin Ekeler lose a fumble at the 1-yard line. "I'd expect us to be fired up and ready to bounce back," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers told reporters. "We've shown the ability to do that over the years when we've lost some tough ones. ... You gotta find a way to bounce back and go." Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt, who has accumulated 16 or more sacks four times in his stellar career, has yet to corral a quarterback this season while facing an abundance of double teams. "Part of it is just, whether it's moving around in the front or whether it's finding different ways, different moves or other ways to combat it," Watt told reporters. "It's always going to happen. It's always been there and it always will be."

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chargers -3. O/U: 49

ABOUT THE TEXANS (1-1): Deshaun Watson passed for just 159 yards against Jacksonville and has recorded 427 with three touchdowns and one interception through two weeks. The trade of pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle has provided better opportunities for outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus, who has registered three sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. "Whitney's very good on the edge of the defense," Houston coach Bill O'Brien told reporters. "He's got a good idea for how we need him to play and how he has to play to help us win. He sets the edge of the running game, he's very disruptive in the passing game (and) we move him around a little bit. He's a very smart player."

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (1-1): Rivers has been intercepted twice while passing for 626 yards and three touchdowns, but the team doesn't miss holdout running back Melvin Gordon. Ekeler has 287 scrimmage yards (124 rushing, 163 receiving) and Justin Jackson is averaging an amazing 8.9 yards while racking up 116 on 13 carries. Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis leads the NFL with 26 tackles, but the unit took a blow when safety Adrian Philips suffered a broken right forearm against the Lions and was placed on injured reserve.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Chargers are 4-1 against the Texans after winning the last meeting 21-13 at Houston in 2016.

2. The Texans re-signed Brian Anger and released fellow P Trevor Daniel while the Chargers signed veteran TE Lance Kendricks to help make up for the Week 1 loss of Hunter Henry (knee).

3. Los Angeles FB Derek Watt will play against star brother J.J. for the first time at any level of football.

PREDICTION: Chargers 27, Texans 24