Texans Rout Chargers 44-22: C.J. Stroud Throws 5 Touchdowns as Los Angeles Falls to 0-8

November 09, 2026

A Houston Texans quarterback in navy blue and red throws a deep pass inside SoFi Stadium at night

C.J. Stroud felt terrible all week. He barely practiced, woke up on game day with chills, and then went out and played one of the best games of his career. Stroud threw five touchdown passes — including two 63-yard strikes — as the Houston Texans routed the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at SoFi Stadium, sending the Chargers to 0-8 and leaving them as the NFL's only winless team.

Quick answer: The Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. C.J. Stroud completed 21 of 35 passes for 384 yards and five touchdowns, and the Chargers fell to 0-8 — the worst start in franchise history and the NFL's only winless record.

Stroud's Own "Flu Game"

Stroud had been feeling lousy all week, barely practiced, and woke up with chills on Sunday morning — then delivered his version of Michael Jordan's famous flu game. He completed 21 of 35 passes for a season-high 384 yards and five touchdowns with one interception, finishing with a 125.5 passer rating. His only interception came on a tipped ball that landed in the hands of Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley.

According to ESPN Insights, all five of Stroud's touchdown passes traveled at least 10 yards through the air — tied for the most such touchdowns in a single game since ESPN began tracking air yards in 2006. He threw touchdown passes to four different receivers and came up one short of the Texans' franchise record of six touchdown passes in a game.

Two 63-Yard Strikes Break the Game Open

The highlights came in pairs. Stroud hit Tank Dell and Kayshon Boutte on identical 63-yard touchdown passes, the two longest scoring plays of the day. Boutte finished with four catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while Dell added four catches for 105 yards and a score.

Houston scored first and never trailed, leading 24-9 at halftime. Stroud added a 13-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins in the third quarter and a second 63-yard strike to Boutte in the fourth, stretching the lead to 38-9 with 14:12 still to play. The Texans finished with a season-best 485 yards of total offense, outgaining Los Angeles 485-315.

A Houston Texans wide receiver in navy blue catches a long touchdown pass in the end zone at SoFi Stadium

Eight Sacks: The Texans Defense Feasts on Herbert

Houston's defense was just as dominant as its offense. The Texans sacked Justin Herbert eight times, as the Chargers quarterback completed 13 of 23 passes for 193 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Herbert has now been sacked 31 times this season, and the boos rained down at SoFi Stadium as Los Angeles fell to its eighth straight defeat.

Coming out of their bye week, the Texans looked like a different team — their most convincing performance of the season, and their second road win over the Chargers in two seasons.

Two Teams Headed in Opposite Directions

Houston is 3-5 at the midway point of the regular season and has now won three of its last four games after starting the year 0-4. The turnaround is real, and Stroud — halfway through his fourth NFL season — is playing the best football of his career at exactly the right time. The Texans visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 15.

The Chargers, meanwhile, are 0-8 and off to the worst start in franchise history. They are the NFL's lone winless team, and the questions now are about how deep the problems run and how long the losing will last. For more on the rest of Sunday's action, catch up on the full Week 9 results and highlights from around the league.

Texans vs Chargers: Key Stats

Final score: Houston Texans 44, Los Angeles Chargers 22 — Sunday, November 8, 2026, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood
C.J. Stroud: 21-of-35, 384 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT, 125.5 passer rating
Kayshon Boutte: 4 catches, 125 yards, 2 TD
Tank Dell: 4 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD (63-yard score)
Justin Herbert: 13-of-23, 193 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; sacked 8 times
Total yards: Houston 485, Los Angeles 315
Records: Texans 3-5 (won 3 of last 4); Chargers 0-8 (worst start in franchise history)

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Texans vs Chargers?

The Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in NFL Week 9.

How many touchdowns did C.J. Stroud throw against the Chargers?

Five. Stroud completed 21 of 35 passes for 384 yards and five touchdowns with one interception, finishing with a 125.5 passer rating. It was a season high in passing yards and tied for one of the best performances of his career.

Are the Chargers the only winless team in the NFL?

Yes. At 0-8, the Los Angeles Chargers are the NFL's lone winless team after Week 9. It is the worst start in franchise history.

Who caught the long touchdown passes for Houston?

Tank Dell and Kayshon Boutte each caught a 63-yard touchdown pass from Stroud. Boutte finished with four catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while Dell had four catches for 105 yards and a score.

Was C.J. Stroud sick before the Chargers game?

Yes. Stroud had been feeling unwell all week, barely practiced, and woke up with chills on game day — then played one of the best games of his career, drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan's famous "flu game."

What is the Texans' record after beating the Chargers?

Houston improved to 3-5 at the midway point of the regular season. The Texans have won three of their last four games after starting the season 0-4. They visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, November 15.

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