Texans' 44-22 win over Chargers masks ongoing offensive struggles
C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns, but Houston's running game produced only 86 yards on 24 carries.
By Nikolai Patterson ·
The Houston Texans entered their bye week with a 2-5 record and a roster filled with unresolved issues. Coach DeMeco Ryans told fans that the team would use the break to fix fundamental problems, a promise that many supporters viewed with skepticism given the scale of the team's deficits.
Those doubts faded on Sunday when the Texans dismantled the Los Angeles Chargers. The final score stood at 44 to 22, a performance that moved Houston's record to 3-5. This mark is identical to the Texans' standing through the first eight games of the previous season. The team now faces a schedule that includes some of the easiest remaining opponents in the league.
The offensive line of the game was the passing attack, which found new life in the return of Tank Dell. After missing 22 months due to a traumatic knee injury, Dell had returned to action two weeks prior with modest production. On Sunday, he delivered a 63-yard touchdown reception that extended the lead to 17-9. That play started a sequence of 28 unanswered points for Houston.
Kayshon Boutte provided the most statistical damage among the wideouts. Acquired in trade after Jayden Higgins suffered an ACL tear in training camp, Boutte had not been a primary target this season. He finished with four catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns. His second score came on a 63-yard catch and run, demonstrating his ability to convert a reception into yardage after the catch.
C.J. Stroud drove the offense with a performance that outpaced his team's overall record. He averaged 11 yards per pass attempt and tied his personal single-game record with five touchdown passes. Stroud also gained 20 yards on two carries, showing he can extend plays on the ground. His efficiency came despite an offensive line that offers average protection and a running game that remains ineffective.
The ground game remains the team's most glaring weakness. Running backs Woody Marks and Emari Demercado combined for 86 yards on 24 carries. This output confirms that the Texans rely heavily on Stroud to manage the clock and create big plays. The team has shown elite ability to rush the quarterback, sacking Justin Herbert eight times, but they have yet to develop a complementary rushing threat.
Marvin Harrison Jr. had a quiet day by comparison. He played more snaps than in his first two games with Houston but finished with two catches for 20 yards. He was the only starting wide receiver who did not catch a touchdown. The team must decide on his fifth-year option in 2028, a decision that will depend on his production improving before the season ends.
Los Angeles suffered its eighth loss of the year, a record that places it at the bottom of the league. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw an interception in every game this season. He finally broke a streak of 37 consecutive possessions without a touchdown, though the Chargers still lost by 22 points. The offense, run by coordinator Mike McDaniel, appeared disjointed and unable to sustain drives.
The Texans now return to action with a 3-5 record and a schedule that offers manageable opponents. The passing game is operating at a high level, with Stroud, Dell, and Boutte creating threats at all levels of the field. The running game remains the primary area of concern as the team enters the second half of the season.
