Texans 44, Chargers 22: drive chart, EPA and box score

Week 9 · Sun, Nov 8 · SoFi StadiumFinal

Final

	1	2	3	4	T
HOU	10	14	7	13	44
LAC	3	6	0	13	22

Home · 0-8Los AngelesChargers22

At a glanceUpdated Nov 10, 2026, 9:31 PM ET

The Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 on Sun, Nov 8 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA (Week 9, 2026 season). Records after the game: Texans 3-5, Chargers 0-8. C.Stroud (HOU) led all players with +19.8 EPA on 38 dropbacks.

Who won Texans vs Chargers?

The Houston Texans won 44-22. By quarter: HOU 10-14-7-13, LAC 3-6-0-13.

Who was the best player in Texans vs Chargers?

By expected points added: C.Stroud (HOU, +19.8 EPA on 38 dropbacks), K.Boutte (HOU, +6.3 EPA on 5 targets) and N.Collins (HOU, +5.9 EPA on 4 targets).

What was the turning point of Texans vs Chargers?

The biggest swing in win probability (14 points toward the Texans) came in Q2 at 4:28: (Shotgun) C.Stroud pass deep right to T.Dell for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.

Cite this page

Pigskin Nightly, “Texans 44, Chargers 22: Week 9 recap”, https://pigskinnightly.com/games/2026-11-08-hou-at-lac (updated 2026-11-11).

How we calculate Plain-text version Report an error

The Verdict

Week 9 issue →

Week 9EarnedGame file →

Texans45% success · +0.28 EPA/play

4422

Chargers36% success · −0.14 EPA/play

HOU 100% deserveddeserved 0% LAC

Texans earned it: the snaps said Texans by 20.7, a deserved win probability of more than 99%.

Deserved marginHOU by 20.7

Real marginHOU by 22

Luck pts HOU+0.6

Luck pts LAC−3.9

The swingQ2 4:37 · HOU · +18 pts of win probability. (Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass deep right to 1-T.Dell for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Flags that moved this game

1Face MaskLAC → helped HOU · Wk 9 Q1 13:14 · (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-C.Stroud pass incomplete short middle to 86-D.Schultz (2-E.Molden). PENALTY on LAC-4-T.Still, Face Mask,…+8.0 WP
2False StartLAC → helped HOU · Wk 9 Q2 1:24 · (Shotgun) PENALTY on LAC-76-J.Alt, False Start, 5 yards, enforced at LAC 32 - No Play.+3.7 WP

Fourth downs our model disagreed with

1HOU · 4th & 1DeMeco Ryans chose Punt at own 17, Wk 9 Q2 13:39, up 7. Model: Go for it (clear call). Result: punted.−1.15 EP
2LAC · 4th & 7Jim Harbaugh chose Punt at opp 41, Wk 9 Q1 0:47, down 7. Model: Field goal (lean). Result: punted.−0.71 EP

Deserved win probability from the snaps, fumble bounces evened out. How we judge

From the Lab

This game, re-drawn

All Lab tools →

Game DNA158 plays, one strand0 lead changes · 11 explosive plays · downloadable poster →

Officiating crewAlex Moore15 accepted flags in this game · 16.8 a game this season (one of the busiest crews)Market vs SnapsLine: HOU by 5.5 · Snaps: HOU by 20.7Texans covered; the snaps agree

44@22

Week 9

If the 56-yard kick had missed

Chargers after the play38%what really happened

Q1 3:16 15-K.Fairbairn 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-40-A.Brinkman, Holder-38-K.Kroeger.

Every game's sliding door →

Home win probability, play by play

The river

100%

Hover, tap or drag along the river to read any play. Arrow keys work too. Click to jump to its drive.

LAC ▲HOU ▼

Q1Q2Q3Q4

The five biggest swings

+14%Q2 4:28 · for HOU(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass deep right to T.Dell for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.
+11%Q2 7:32 · for LAC(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass short middle intended for K.Boutte INTERCEPTED by D.Henley (M.Wax) at LAC 44. D.Henley to HST 38 for 18 yards (D.Schultz).
+6%Q1 10:16 · for HOU(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass deep right to X.Hutchinson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.
+6%Q2 0:43 · for HOU(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass deep right to K.Boutte to LAC 12 for 35 yards (E.Molden).Penalty on LAC-T.Still, Illegal Contact, declined.Penalty on LAC-D.Jackson, Defensive Holding, declined.
+5%Q1 3:12 · for HOUK.Fairbairn 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.

Every drive, on the field

LAC attacks →← HOU attacks

Q1 15:00TD8p · 73y · 4:44
Q1 10:16FG9p · 34y · 4:02
Q1 6:14FG8p · 26y · 3:02
Q1 3:12PUNT6p · 24y · 2:32
Q1 0:40PUNT3p · 9y · 2:07
Q2 13:33FG9p · 36y · 5:20
Q2 8:13INT2p · 14y · 0:50
Q2 7:23FG6p · 14y · 2:12
Q2 5:11TD2p · 68y · 0:43
Q2 4:28PUNT3p · -1y · 1:35
Q2 2:53PUNT4p · 11y · 1:17
Q2 1:36PUNT3p · -4y · 0:31
Q2 1:05TD7p · 76y · 0:34
Q2 0:31PUNT3p · -4y · 0:31
Q3 15:00INT5p · 7y · 2:11
Q3 12:49TD10p · 80y · 4:33
Q3 8:16DOWNS4p · 5y · 1:50
Q3 6:26PUNT3p · -7y · 1:38
Q3 4:48FUM6p · 65y · 3:34
Q3 1:14TD5p · 89y · 2:02
Q4 14:12TD3p · 60y · 1:25
Q4 12:47FG8p · 62y · 3:57
Q4 8:50TD10p · 71y · 4:31
Q4 4:19FG7p · 21y · 1:59
Q4 2:20DOWNS4p · 0y · 1:13
Q4 1:07END2p · -2y · 1:07

Texans12 drives8scoring drives (5 TD)67%drives ending in pointsOWN 30avg starting field position2three-and-outs1turnovers incl. downs

Chargers13 drives5scoring drives (2 TD)38%drives ending in pointsOWN 33avg starting field position3three-and-outs4turnovers incl. downs

Scoring summary

Q1
10:16Touchdown(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass deep right to X.Hutchinson for 17 yards, TOUCHDOWN. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.7–0
Q1
6:14Field goalC.Dicker 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Harris, Holder-J.Scott.7–3
Q1
3:12Field goalK.Fairbairn 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.10–3
Q2
8:13Field goalC.Dicker 33 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Harris, Holder-J.Scott. ** Injury Update: LAC-J.Eboigbe has returned to the game.10–6
Q2
5:11Field goalC.Dicker 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-J.Harris, Holder-J.Scott.10–9
Q2
4:28Touchdown(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass deep right to T.Dell for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.17–9
Q2
0:31Touchdown(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass short left to K.Boutte for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.24–9
Q3
8:16Touchdown(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass short left to N.Collins for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.31–9
Q4
14:12Touchdown(Shotgun) C.Stroud pass deep middle to K.Boutte for 63 yards, TOUCHDOWN [T.Tuipulotu]. K.Fairbairn extra point is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.38–9
Q4
12:47Touchdown(Shotgun) J.Herbert pass short right to Q.Johnston for 58 yards, TOUCHDOWN. TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. J.Herbert pass to O.Gadsden is incomplete. ATTEMPT FAILS.38–15
Q4
8:50Field goalK.Fairbairn 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.41–15
Q4
4:19Touchdown(Shotgun) D.Uiagalelei pass short middle to D.Davis for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN. C.Dicker extra point is GOOD, Center-J.Harris, Holder-J.Scott.41–22
Q4
2:20Field goal K.Fairbairn 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-A.Brinkman, Holder-K.Kroeger.44–22

Team stats

HOUvsLAC

485Total yards315

381Passing yards177

104Rushing yards138

7.3Yards per play4.6

22First downs14

8-14 · 57%Third down5-17 · 29%

0-0Fourth down2-4

3-4Red zone TDs1-2

22/37Comp / att15/30

3.7Yards per carry4.6

1Turnovers2

1 (−10 yds)Sacks allowed8 (−40 yds)

6 for 36Penalties9 for 79

28:33Possession31:27

Expected points added · nflverse model

The game in EPA

EPA per play+0.280-0.179

Dropback EPA+0.507-0.064

Rush EPA-0.098-0.338

Success rate45%36%

Explosive plays95

Plays6469

Who moved the needle

C.StroudDropbacks: 38+19.8

K.BoutteTargets: 5+6.3

N.CollinsTargets: 4+5.9

X.HutchinsonTargets: 5+4.0

T.DellTargets: 9+3.8

K.Lambert-SmithTargets: 4+3.6

Cost their side the most

K.MitchellCarries: 7-3.9

J.HerbertDropbacks: 33-3.7

O.HamptonCarries: 13-3.5

Box score

Houston Texans

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
C.J. StroudQB	21/35	384	11.0	5	1	1-10	89.8	125.5
Davis MillsQB	1/2	7	3.5	0	0	0-0	90.6	58.3

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	LONG
Woody MarksRB	18	70	3.9	14
C.J. StroudQB	2	20	10.0	12
Emari Demercado	6	16	2.7	11
Davis MillsQB	2	-2	-1.0	-1

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Kayshon BoutteWR	4	5	125	31.3	2	63
Tank DellWR	4	9	105	26.3	1	63
Nico CollinsWR	4	4	55	13.8	1	19
Dalton SchultzTE	2	4	42	21.0	0	28
Xavier HutchinsonWR	3	5	29	9.7	1	17
Marvin Harrison Jr.WR	2	3	20	10.0	0	15
Emari Demercado	1	2	8	8.0	0	8
Woody MarksRB	1	4	4	4.0	0	4
Dare OgunbowaleRB	1	1	3	3.0	0	3

Defense	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS
Azeez Al-ShaairLB	9	4	0	0	1	0
Jalen PitreS	6	6	0	2	0	0
M.J. StewartS	5	4	1	0	0	0
Calen BullockS	5	3	0	0	1	0
Henry To'oTo'oLB	5	4	0	0	0	0
Tommy TogiaiDT	4	2	0	1	0	0
Derek Stingley Jr.CB	4	3	0	0	3	0
Jake HansenLB	3	2	0	0	0	0
Jadeveon ClowneyDE	3	2	2	2	0	2
Sheldon RankinsDT	3	3	2	2	0	2

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Ka'imi FairbairnPK	3/3	100.0	56	5/5	14

Los Angeles Chargers

Passing	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	SACKS	QBR	RTG
Justin HerbertQB	13/23	193	8.4	1	1	8-40	11.9	80.5
DJ UiagaleleiQB	2/7	24	3.4	1	0	0-0	22.6	81.0

Rushing	CAR	YDS	AVG	LONG
Omarion HamptonRB	13	60	4.6	32
Keaton MitchellRB	7	33	4.7	11
Kimani VidalRB	7	30	4.3	9
Justin HerbertQB	1	7	7.0	7
Quentin JohnstonWR	1	5	5.0	5
Charlie KolarTE	1	3	3.0	3

Receiving	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
Quentin JohnstonWR	1	4	58	58.0	1	58
KeAndre Lambert-SmithWR	1	4	50	50.0	0	50
Keaton MitchellRB	3	4	34	11.3	0	13
Charlie KolarTE	3	3	31	10.3	0	16
Oronde GadsdenTE	2	3	17	8.5	0	10
Derius DavisWR	1	2	15	15.0	1	15
Tre' HarrisWR	3	7	6	2.0	0	10
Kimani VidalRB	1	3	6	6.0	0	6

Defense	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS
Daiyan HenleyLB	10	4	0	1	1	0
Marlowe WaxLB	8	1	0	0	1	0
Elijah MoldenCB	6	4	0	0	0	0
RJ MickensS	6	5	0	0	0	0
Tony JeffersonS	5	3	0.5	1	0	1
Tarheeb StillCB	5	4	0	0	0	0
Del'Shawn PhillipsLB	4	3	0	0	0	0
Cam HartCB	4	2	0	0	0	0
Justin EboigbeDT	2	0	0	0	0	0
Akheem MesidorLB	2	1	0	1	0	2

Kicking	FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
Cameron DickerPK	3/3	100.0	52	1/1	10

Before kickoff · Regular season through week 8 · rank out of 32

Where it was expected to be decided

1Texans pass rush vs Chargers pass protection
The Texans' pass rush ranks 5th in sack rate (7.7% of dropbacks, 274 dropbacks faced) and faces a Chargers pass protection ranked 29th (9.0% sacked, 256 dropbacks).
29thLAC offense24 spots apart5thHOU defense
2Chargers third-down defense vs Texans third-down offense
The Chargers' third-down defense ranks 3rd in third-down conversion rate (31.3% allowed, 83 third downs faced) and faces a Texans third-down offense ranked 24th (37.5%, 88 third downs).
24thHOU offense21 spots apart3rdLAC defense
3Texans pass defense vs Chargers dropback offense
The Texans' pass defense ranks 20th in EPA per dropback (+0.07 allowed, 274 dropbacks faced) and faces a Chargers dropback offense ranked 32nd (-0.27, 256 dropbacks).
32ndLAC offense12 spots apart20thHOU defense

When the Texans have the ballNo big edge

HOU dropback offenseEPA per dropbackLAC pass defense

12th+0.13269 dropbacks

-0.02 allowed215 dropbacks faced8th

HOU run gameEPA per rushLAC run defense

25th-0.15156 rushes

-0.06 allowed194 rushes faced22nd

Dropbacks include sacks and scrambles; rushes are designed runs. What EPA measures.

When the Chargers have the ballEdge HOU · +12 ranks

LAC dropback offenseEPA per dropbackHOU pass defense

32nd-0.27256 dropbacks

HOU +12

+0.07 allowed274 dropbacks faced20th

LAC run gameEPA per rushHOU run defense

31st-0.23172 rushes

-0.03 allowed169 rushes faced25th

Third downEdge LAC · +21 ranks

HOU third-down offensethird-down conversion rateLAC third-down defense

24th37.5%88 third downs

LAC +21

31.3% allowed83 third downs faced3rd

LAC third-down offensethird-down conversion rateHOU third-down defense

26th37.1%97 third downs

42.0% allowed88 third downs faced19th

Conversions are third-down snaps that gained a first down or scored.

Red zoneNo big edge

HOU red-zone offensered-zone touchdown rateLAC red-zone defense

16th58%26 trips

52% allowed27 trips faced12th

LAC red-zone offensered-zone touchdown rateHOU red-zone defense

26th50%16 trips

65% allowed20 trips faced22nd

A trip is a drive with at least one snap inside the opponent's 20; the rate is trips that ended in an offensive touchdown. Small samples swing fast here.

Explosive playsNo big edge

HOU big-play offenseexplosive-play rateLAC defense against big plays

12th9.6%425 plays

9.5% allowed409 plays faced18th

LAC big-play offenseexplosive-play rateHOU defense against big plays

25th7.9%428 plays

9.9% allowed443 plays faced21st

Completions of 20+ yards and runs of 10+, per snap. Definition.

Pressure & sacksEdge HOU · +24 ranks

HOU pass protectionsack rateLAC pass rush

12th5.6% sacked269 dropbacks

HOU +9

5.6% of dropbacks215 dropbacks faced21st

LAC pass protectionsack rateHOU pass rush

29th9.0% sacked256 dropbacks

HOU +24

7.7% of dropbacks274 dropbacks faced5th

Sacks per dropback. The public play-by-play has no pressure charting, so this is the sack side of it only.

TurnoversNo big edge

HOU ball securityturnovers per gameLAC takeaway defense

1st0.4 giveaways a game7 games

1.4 takeaways a game7 games8th

LAC ball securityturnovers per gameHOU takeaway defense

32nd2.3 giveaways a game7 games

0.9 takeaways a game7 games27th

Interceptions and lost fumbles on offensive snaps, per game. Turnover rates are among the least stable numbers in football.

Sample: HOU 7 games, 425 offensive and 443 defensive plays · LAC 7 games, 428 offensive and 409 defensive plays. Rank 1 is the best offense or the best defense in each stat. Keys are the largest rank gaps (12+ spots) between an offense and the defense it faces, one per stat. Ranks are not schedule-adjusted.

Starters, confirmed

ConfirmedEvery game →

Confirmed from the official snap counts: at every position group the starters are the snap leaders. Expected lineup = today's depth chart, adjusted for the injury report.

Expected, did not start

Jake HansenSLB→ Logan Hall

Reed BlankenshipSS→ M.J. Stewart

Ladd McConkeyWR→ KeAndre Lambert-Smith

Kayode AwosikaLG→ Logan Taylor

Justin EboigbeRDE→ Dalvin Tomlinson

Marlowe WaxLILB→ Daiyan Henley

Cam HartLCB→ RJ Mickens

AwayTexans1 next man up · 1 questionable · 2 changes