Texans Beat Chargers 44-22 Behind Stroud’s Five TD Passes

The Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 on Sunday as C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns, powering a convincing Week 9 road victory. Houston established an early advantage at SoFi Stadium and kept adding to it, leaving Los Angeles with too much ground to recover in the fourth quarter.

The November 8 matchup drew 67,590 fans in Inglewood, California, but the visiting offense supplied the defining performance. Houston scored in every quarter and entered the final period ahead 31-9. The Texans finished the day at 3-5, while the Chargers remained winless at 0-8.

Houston Builds Its Lead Before Halftime

The Texans outscored Los Angeles 10-3 in the opening quarter, then extended their advantage with a 14-6 second period. That made it 24-9 at halftime: a substantial cushion, though still one the Chargers could realistically challenge with a strong second half.

Instead, Houston delivered the decisive separation in the third quarter. The Texans added seven points while holding Los Angeles scoreless, stretching the margin to 22 points. That combination of offensive production and a scoreless defensive quarter removed much of the suspense before the closing period.

Both teams scored 13 points in the fourth. Los Angeles finally found more scoring production, but matching Houston was not enough to create a comeback. There was no last-minute game-winning drive or overtime finish; the Texans had done their most important work well before then.

Key Performers: Stroud, Boutte and Marks

C.J. Stroud — 21/35, 384 YDS, 5 TD, 1 INT. Stroud’s five touchdown passes defined the afternoon. He averaged approximately 11 yards per attempt, giving Houston substantial production without needing an especially high completion total. His interception was a turnover blemish, but it did not prevent the Texans from building a comfortable advantage.

Kayshon Boutte — 4 REC, 125 YDS, 2 TD. Boutte led the receiving effort, turning just four catches into a 125-yard, two-touchdown outing. His efficiency gave Houston a particularly productive target, and he accounted for two of Stroud’s five scoring passes.

Woody Marks — 18 CAR, 70 YDS. Marks led the rushing attack, supplying steady volume alongside the passing game’s bigger gains. His 18 carries provided a complementary option on an afternoon when Stroud and Boutte produced the standout numbers.

NerdSports Stat: Kayshon Boutte averaged 31.25 yards per reception, turning only four catches into 125 receiving yards.

What Comes Next

Houston’s challenge is turning this performance into sustained progress in the AFC playoff picture. The Texans host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 15, at 10:00 a.m. PST. Los Angeles hosts the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, November 16, at 5:15 p.m. PST, still seeking its first victory and a foundation for a better second half of the season.

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