Last meeting
Quarterback Drew Brees completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Eric Parker to lead the host Chargers to a 27-20 win over the Texans on Sept. 12, 2004.
Last week
The Texans scored 29 fourth-quarter points against the Titans, but it wasn't enough as Rob Bironas kicked an NFL-record eight field goals, including the game-winner as time expired, giving Tennessee a 38-36 victory. The Chargers had a bye week following LaDainian Tomlinson's four-touchdown performance in a 28-14 win over the Raiders.
At stake
The Texans play in one of the best divisions in the NFL, so they need to win these out-of-division games if they want to keep pace with the front-running Colts. The Chargers entered their bye week in a tie with the Chiefs for first place in the AFC West but start this week tied for second place with the Broncos.
Key matchup
Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson vs. history. Tomlinson has scored 106 rushing touchdowns, tied for fourth all-time with Jim Brown. Tomlinson needs four rushing touchdowns to tie Walter Payton for third place. His Week 6 performance was the third time he had rushed for four touchdowns in a game, and the fifth time overall that he's scored four times. The Texans have allowed an average of 122 rushing yards per game, 20th in the NFL.
Did you know?
Texans backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels joined Joe Montana, Ken Stabler and Vinny Testaverde as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.
