INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Coming off a bye week, quarterback C.J. Stroud matched a career high with five touchdown passes Sunday as the Houston Texans dismantled the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 at SoFi Stadium.
Stroud completed 21 of 35 passes for a season-high 384 yards and one interception, carving up a Chargers defense that had surrendered only eight passing scores all season, the Houston Chronicle reported. The victory lifted Houston to 3-5 on the year, while Los Angeles sank to an 0-8 start under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Texans offense erupts downfield
Houston displayed a varied aerial assault that overwhelmed the Los Angeles secondary throughout the afternoon. Wide receiver Kayshon Boutte paced the receiving corps with four receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns, according to the Houston Chronicle. Tank Dell added four catches for 105 yards, highlighted by a 63-yard scoring play in the second quarter that pushed Houston ahead 17-9.
Dell’s performance came in just his second contest back following two years away while rehabilitating a severe knee injury. Wideouts Nico Collins and Xavier Hutchinson each caught a touchdown pass as well, while tight end Dalton Schultz contributed two grabs for 42 yards. On the ground, rookie Woody Marks tallied a season-best 70 rushing yards on 18 attempts, helping Houston rush for over 100 yards as a unit for the third time this season.
Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn supplied points on special teams as well, successfully converting all three of his field-goal tries on Sunday, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Defensive onslaught batters Herbert
While Houston’s offense thrived, its defense repeatedly punished Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. The Texans brought down Herbert for a career-high eight sacks, matching the highest single-game sack total against a Chargers quarterback since Dan Fouts went down eight times in 1976, USA TODAY Sports reported.
Will Anderson Jr., Sheldon Rankins and Jadeveon Clowney each recorded two sacks. Anderson entered the weekend tied for the NFL lead with 7½ sacks. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair spearheaded the tackle effort with nine stops, and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. secured his first interception of the season.
Herbert concluded his afternoon 13 of 23 for 193 yards, one touchdown and an interception, marking the eighth consecutive game he has been intercepted to open the campaign. The Chargers endured 37 straight possessions and 14 full quarters without a touchdown until Herbert hit Quentin Johnston for a 58-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter, Yahoo Sports reported.
Herbert injured, Uiagalelei makes debut
Herbert departed the game in the fourth period after suffering an injury to the middle finger on his left, non-throwing hand. He retreated to the sideline medical tent and emerged sporting a glove and wrap.
“His hand was hurt,” Harbaugh said after the game, according to USA TODAY Sports. “Justin wanted to go back in the game. That was a coach’s decision to take him out.”
Harbaugh added that medical staff planned to evaluate Herbert to determine whether he sustained a bone fracture, Bleacher Report reported. Herbert told reporters afterward that he does not anticipate the injury will hinder him going forward.
With Herbert sidelined, undrafted rookie DJ Uiagalelei stepped in for his NFL regular-season debut. Uiagalelei completed two of seven throws for 24 yards, capping his initial professional possession with a late touchdown pass before the final whistle.
Los Angeles now looks to halt its winless slide in upcoming matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Houston aims to build momentum in the second half of the season.
