Stroud Throws Five Touchdowns as Houston Flattens the Chargers

INGLEWOOD, CA — C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns despite battling an illness as the Houston Texans defeated the winless Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.

Stroud completed 21 of 35 passes, including two 63-yard touchdown throws to Tank Dell and Kayshon Boutte, helping Houston improve to 3-5 after opening the season with four consecutive losses.

The Texans have won three of their last four games, while the Chargers fell to 0-8 and extended their losing streak to 11 games, tying a franchise record set in 2000.

Stroud, who barely practiced during the week because of an illness, said he woke up with chills before the game but was determined to play.

“I don't know what I had, but was not feeling good,” Stroud said. “My teammates really helped me. Just to have that type of performance under the weather a little bit was to me a testament to our team and our resilience.”

Stroud threw touchdown passes to four different receivers and finished one shy of the franchise record of six touchdown passes in a game. He also threw one interception and was sacked once.

Houston opened the scoring on its first possession when Stroud connected with Xavier Hutchinson for a 17-yard touchdown.

The Chargers responded with three field goals from Cameron Dicker, including a season-long 52-yarder, to cut Houston's lead to 10-9.

The Texans answered when Stroud found Dell for a 63-yard touchdown, marking the receiver's first score since suffering a serious knee injury in 2024.

Houston extended its advantage to 24-9 just before halftime when Boutte caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Stroud, completing a seven-play, 76-yard drive that took just 34 seconds.

Boutte added another touchdown on a 63-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

The performance came against a Chargers team that had struggled offensively throughout the season.

Los Angeles entered the game having gone 37 consecutive possessions without scoring a touchdown, the second-longest drought in NFL history.

That streak ended in the fourth quarter when Justin Herbert connected with Quentin Johnston on a 58-yard touchdown pass.

Herbert completed 13 of 23 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked a career-high eight times, bringing his season total to 31.

Herbert later left the game after receiving treatment for an injured finger on his left hand.

Backup quarterback DJ Uiagalelei replaced him and threw his first career touchdown pass, a 15-yard completion to Derius Davis.

The Chargers scored 22 points, their second-highest total in a game this season, but remained winless under coach Jim Harbaugh.

Houston coach DeMeco Ryans praised Stroud's performance and the team's improvement following its difficult start.

“I’m proud of our guys for getting back to repping our style of play,” Ryans said. “C.J. has brought elite execution and playmaking ability. He really gives that confidence to the entire team.”

The Texans also forced an interception when Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley picked off Stroud in the first quarter, but Houston's offense recovered and continued to build its lead.

The Texans will visit the Cleveland Browns next Sunday, while the Chargers will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens.