The Houston Texans (2-5) and Los Angeles Chargers (0-7) officially met in the second "Toilet Bowl" contest for the visiting team in 2026. Entering week nine, both franchises had a combined record of 2-12.
While the Chargers have been fighting the reality of a lost season, the Texans came into SoFi Stadium with a lot still left to play for over their final 10 weeks of league play. Between them, the New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets, the seventh seed in the AFC playoff race is very much up for grabs for any team to snag if they get hot at the right time.
That's for the future though. For now, Houston—specifically its defense—has to show that it can pull out a win against who's currently the worst team in the NFL in the Chargers. Based on how the Texans have blown several winnable games due to their own missteps, they'd be wise to not overlook the Chargers.
Houston Texans versus Los Angeles Chargers scoring breakdown
First Quarter (Houston outscores Los Angeles 10-3)
Xavier Hutchinson hauls in the game's first touchdown reception to give
To cap off an effective seven-play, 73-yard opening drive, Texans wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson caught a 17-yard pass for quarterback C.J. Stroud in the Chargers end zone to give his team the eventual 7-0 lead.
Cameron Dicker gets the Chargers on the board with a field goal
Unable to break their dubious streak of 27 offensive drives without a touchdown scored, Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker nailed a 52-yard field goal to close the gap 7-3.
Ka'imi Fairbairn responds with a field goal of his own
October's AFC Special Teams Player of the Month would not be ignored on Sunday, as Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn responded with a 56-yarder of his own to expand Houston's lead by three again to make it 10-3.
Second Quarter (Houston continues dominance by outscoring Los Angeles 14-6 in the second frame)
Cameron Dicker hits 76 yards worth of field goals to get the Chargers within one point
Dicker continued his contributions to his team's scoring efforts, as he hit both a 33-yard and a 43-yard field goal in back-to-back offensive possessions to land the Chargers within one point to make the game 10-9 Texans.
Tank Dell explodes for his first touchdown reception in two years to increase Houston's lead
In what was a truly special moment for both wide receiver Tank Dell and the Texans' fanbase, the former Houston Cougar caught a dime from Stroud that he promptly took a total of 63 yards down Los Angeles' right sideline for a touchdown. That gave Houston the 17-9 lead.
Kayshon Boutte joins the touchdown party with his own end zone reception
Not to be left out, wide receiver Kayshon Boutte also was on the receiving end of a touchdown grab after Stroud found him on the left side of the end zone for 12 yards and the score. It was then 24-9 Houston.
Third Quarter (Houston finds the end zone again while Los Angeles goes scoreless in a 7-0 quarter)
Nico Collins has one of the highlight catches of the season for another Houston touchdown reception
As the title of this scoring section stated, Texans wide receiver Nico Collins caught one of the most spectacular touchdown passes of the season, contorting his body around a Chargers defender in mid-air while falling over in the end zone for a breathtakingly great score. Houston then led 31-9.
Fourth Quarter (Houston and Los Angeles actually tie this time, with each scoring 13 points)
Kayshon Boutte stamps the best game of his Texans tenure with his second touchdown of the game
Boutte helped continue the Texans' aerial onslaught on the Chargers, taking a catch-and-run opportunity 63 yards for his second touchdown of the contest. Houston increased their lead to 38-9.
Quentin Johnston finally breaks Los Angeles' touchdown drought with a lengthy score
Even though it was officially within the "garbage time" range of the contest, the Chargers still found a reason to celebrate. Because wide receiver Quentin Johnston took a short slant route ball from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert a full 58 yards for his team's first touchdown in 37 offensive drives. Oh yeah, it closed the gap on Houston 38-15.
Ka'imi Fairbairn pours on more points with another field goal
To cap off another productive game for one of the best kickers in the game, Fairbairn hit a 31-yard chip shot to give Houston a 41-15 lead (their first 40-point game of the season).
Derius Davis takes another pass to the end zone for the Chargers' second touchdown of the game
Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis found paydirt after Chargers backup quarterback DJ Uiagalelei hit him for a 15-yard touchdown reception. Houston then led 41-22.
Ka'imi Fairbairn scores the final points of the game on another field goal
Capping off his perfect 3-3 outing in Los Angeles, Fairbairn hit a 41-yarder to give Houston a 44-22 lead.
Final Result: Houston Texans defeat Los Angeles Chargers 44-22
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