The Houston Texans showcased an impressive performance on Sunday, defeating the Los Angeles Chargers with a commanding score of 44-22. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was the star of the game, throwing five touchdown passes and amassing 384 yards, which helped elevate the Texans to a 4-5 record. Meanwhile, the Chargers fell to 0-9.
Stroud’s strong first half set the tone for the match. The Texans started strong by scoring a 17-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to Xavier Hutchinson in the first quarter. Ka’imi Fairbairn then added a 56-yard field goal, concluding the opening period with Houston leading 10-3.
The Chargers managed to narrow the gap to 10-9 with three field goals, but the Texans responded decisively with two touchdowns just before halftime. Stroud connected with Tank Dell for a remarkable 63-yard touchdown, followed by a 12-yard touchdown pass to Boutte with only 31 seconds left in the half, giving Houston a comfortable 24-9 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, the Texans further solidified their lead after cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. intercepted a pass from Justin Herbert. Houston capitalized on this turnover with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to Nico Collins. Stroud later struck again, finding Boutte for another long touchdown of 63 yards early in the fourth quarter, extending the Texans’ lead to 38-9.
The Chargers managed to respond when Herbert threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston, but the deficit proved insurmountable. The Texans added two more field goals, while the Chargers scored a final touchdown on a 15-yard pass from backup quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. By the game’s conclusion, both teams had substituted their starting quarterbacks, with Davis Mills stepping in for Stroud.
Stroud’s performance was record-setting, completing 21 of 35 passes for five touchdowns and one interception. His top targets included Boutte, who had four receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns, and Dell, who also caught four passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. The Texans totaled an impressive 485 yards for the game.
Defensively, the Texans were relentless, recording eight sacks during the game. Notable contributions came from Sheldon Rankins, Jadeveon Clowney, and Will Anderson Jr., each securing two sacks. Additionally, the Texans forced two turnovers, further underscoring their dominance.
With this victory, the Texans have won three of their last four games after an initial struggle that left them at 0-4. They now look forward to their next matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland next week.
