Houston sports Expert—and host of Kickin' it with Kunkel—Will Kunkel chronicled the various historical exploits of the Houston Texans as they dominated the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon. From franchise records to all-time NFL benchmarks, Kunkel dug up a litany of significant occurrences that both sides of the football was responsible for on Houston's behalf.
While there are plenty more that Kunkel had to say, here are 12 history-making statistics that immediately caught my eye from the Texans' explosive victory over the weekend (all provided by Kunkel himself through his official X account).
C.J. Stroud ties career-high of five touchdown passes
For the first time since week nine of the 2023 season, C.J. Stroud eclipsed five touchdown passes in a professional football game. The last time he did it, it was in Houston's now legendary 39-37 come-from-behind thriller of a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This time around, he did so in a 44-22 thrashing of the Los Angeles Chargers on the road. He used four different receivers to do it as well (Xavier Hutchinson, Tank Dell, Kayshon Boutte and Nico Collins).
Kayshon Boutte sets a career-high in receiving yards
Against the Chargers, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte went off for a career-high of 125 receiving yards. Along with his two touchdowns, his performance helped propel Houston to their 22-point victory over Los Angeles (his previous high was 117 against the Buffalo Bills in the 2024 season).
Texans sacked Justin Herbert a career-high eight times
This one is self explanatory, but Houston's pass rushing unit bullied Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throughout their contest Sunday afternoon. The Texans' eight sacks of Herbert was the most ever taken in a single game byt the former Oregon Duck.
Texans' defense has recorded an 8-sack game in each of the last three seasons since 2024, tying a 1990's record
Along with the 2006-08 Eagles and the 1996-98 Seahawks, the 2024-2026 Texans are now the third team since 1990 with a three-season streak of at least one game with eight or more sacks in a campaign.
C.J. Stroud becomes first quarterback in Texans history to have at least 350 passing yards and five touchdown passes in multiple career games (along with more history)
Stroud continues to rewrite the quarterback franchise record books in 2026. With his 384-yard, five-touchdown game against Los Angeles on Sunday, he became first quarterback in franchise history to have at least 350 passing yards and five touchdown passes in multiple career games (his previous time being in his aforementioned legendary performance in his 2023 performance against the Buccaneers).
Stroud also joined Hall of Famer Dan Marino, Matthew Stafford and Patrick Mahomes (2 each) as the only quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for at least 350 yards and five touchdowns in multiple career games at age 25 or younger.
Will Anderson Jr., Sheldon Rankins and Jadeveon Clowney make defensive history on Sunday
Defensive linemen Will Anderson Jr., Sheldon Rankins and Jadeveon Clowney combined to become the first Texans trio to each record at least 2.0 sacks in a game in franchise history. They represented at least 75% of Houston's sack production on Sunday against Los Angeles.
Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter combine to match a 2024 Texans benchmark
Cornerbacks Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter each had at least three passes defended, which made them the first Texans duo to each record at least three passes defensed in a single game since Oct. 27, 2024 (Kamari Lassiter and Eric Murray).
Derek Stingley inches closer to franchise mountain top after another interception on Sunday
After intercepting Herbert in the third quarter, Stingley finally reached 16 total picks in his five-year Texans career. That tied him with a franchise legend in former safety Kareem Jackson for the second-most in team history, which is only one behind the franchise turnover G.O.A.T. in former cornerback Johnathan Joseph (17).
Texans defense records third-most tackles for loss in franchise history
Along with their eight sacks, Houston's defenders were responsible for 12 tackles for loss. This was the third-most in a single game in team history.
Texans' receivers match a 2023 record against the Chargers' secondary on Sunday
Boutte (125) and Dell (105) became the first Texans duo to each record 100 receiving yards in the same game since Nov. 5, 2023 against Tampa Bay (Noah Brown, Tank Dell and tight end Dalton Schultz).
Will Anderson continues to match (and/or break) defensive records
On Sunday, Will Anderson tied former All-Pro linebacker Clay Matthews (58) for the ninth-most tackles for loss in a player's first four seasons in NFL history.
Ka'imi Fairbairn continues to prove his value as one of the best clutch kickers in the NFL
Texans kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn made 53rd consecutive field goal attempt from under 50 yards, which is the fourth-longest streak in the NFL since 1987.
Add us as a preferred source on Google