How To Watch Chargers Vs. Texans For Free: Live Stream The Nfl's Wild Card Weekend

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The NFL regular season has come to a close, and Wild Card Weekend kicks off with an epic AFC match-up in Houston. We've compiled everything you need to know about how to watch the Chargers vs. Texans, including a free streaming option.

The Los Angeles Chargers rank fourth in the overall conference and second in the AFC West, trailing the Kansas City Chiefs. They are 11-6 this season, a substantial improvement from last season. The Houston Texans are fifth in the conference and first in the AFC South, thanks to a 10-7 record this season. This puts the Texans exactly where they were last season. The team won their Wild Card game against the Cleveland Browns but ultimately fell to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional round. The winner of tonight's game will play the Chiefs in the Divisional Round.

Whether you're rooting for the Texans to repeat last year's game or hoping the Chargers will pull ahead, we'll show you how to tune in. Check out our how to watch NFL games streaming guide for more info.

• See also: How to watch college football | Where to watch college basketball | How to watch NBA games

How to watch Chargers vs. Texans: quick links

• US: CBS on Paramount Plus (7-day free trial) | Fubo (7-day free trial) | DirecTV Stream (5-day free trial)
• UK: Sky Sports (various) | Now TV (£15) | DAZN NFL Game Pass (£20)
• AU: 7Plus (Free)
• Access streaming anywhere: ExpressVPN (30-day money-back guarantee)
• When: Saturday, January 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. GMT / 5:30 a.m. AWST (Sun.)

What channel is the Chargers vs. Texans game on?

The Chargers vs. Texans game will air on CBS in the US. The game is scheduled to kick off on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET. CBS will also host tomorrow's Broncos vs. Bills Wild Card game, so it might be worth hanging onto any subscriptions you sign up for today.

How to watch Chargers vs. Texans in the US

For cord-cutters, the cheapest way to watch CBS is through Paramount Plus, the network's streaming counterpart. Subscriptions start at $8/month for the Essential tier. Usually, you need to upgrade to Paramount Plus with Showtime ($13/month) to live stream CBS, but NFL games are available through the base tier. All subscriptions come with a one-week free trial for new customers.

You can also live stream CBS via a live TV streaming package like Fubo or DirecTV Stream. Like Paramount Plus, these services are month-to-month, but they're a bit more expensive since they function like wide-spanning cable alternatives. The streamers have anywhere from 90 to 200+ live channels in their lineups, including many top sports networks. Fubo subscriptions start at $80/month and come with a seven-day free trial, while DirecTV Stream subscriptions start at $87/month and offer a five-day free trial.

How to watch Chargers vs. Texans in the UK

The NFL Playoffs, including the Chargers vs. Texans game, will be available through Sky Sports and Now TV in the UK. With Now TV's Sports membership, subscribers can pay by month or try a £15 daily pass. Monthly subscriptions go for £35/month, but you can get your first six months for £26/month right now. UK viewers can also give DAZN's NFL Game Pass a try. Right now, you can purchase access to the rest of the postseason for just £20.

How to watch Chargers vs. Texans in Australia

The Chargers vs. Texans game will be available on 7Mate through 7Plus in Australia. This is a free streaming option that just requires account creation to use. The service will also host a few other Wild Card games this weekend.

How to watch Chargers vs. Texans from anywhere

If you happen to be away from home, you can still access your usual viewing methods, like the free stream, from abroad with the help of a VPN. VPNs (virtual private networks) are easy-to-use cybersecurity tools. They enable you to change your virtual location so that you can access most of your usual websites and apps from anywhere. Plus, they're solid ways to boost your online privacy.

Not sure where to start when it comes to VPNs? ExpressVPN is our go-to recommendation. It's a straightforward option with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can read more about it in our ExpressVPN review, and see below to learn how to use a VPN.

How to watch Chargers vs. Texans with a VPN

• Sign up for a VPN if you don't have one.
• Install it on the device you're using to watch.
• Turn it on and set it to the location of your streaming service, like Australia.
• Create an account with the streaming service you desire, like 7Plus.
• Enjoy the game.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.