Houston takes control early
C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns as the Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers 44-22 at SoFi Stadium in Week 9. Houston built a 24-9 halftime lead, then held Los Angeles scoreless in the third quarter to put the game firmly in its control. The Texans led 10-3 after the first quarter and added 14 points in the second. A 7-0 third quarter stretched their advantage to 31-9. Both teams scored 13 points in the fourth, leaving the Chargers unable to close the gap. Houston improved to 3-5, earning its second victory in its past three games. Los Angeles dropped to 0-8.
Boutte and Dell lead the receiving production
Stroud completed 21 of 35 passes with one interception and added 20 rushing yards on two carries. Four Houston receivers caught touchdown passes, with Kayshon Boutte accounting for two. Boutte turned five targets into four catches for 125 yards. Tank Dell also topped 100 yards, finishing with four receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown on a team-high nine targets among the listed receivers. Nico Collins caught all four of his targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Hutchinson added three receptions for 29 yards and another score. For Los Angeles, Justin Herbert completed 13 of 23 passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Quentin Johnston finished with one catch for 58 yards and a touchdown on four targets, plus five rushing yards. Keaton Mitchell contributed 33 yards on seven carries and 34 yards on three receptions.
Houston delivers the biggest fantasy returns
Stroud led the game's fantasy scoring with 35.4 PPR points. Boutte's two touchdowns helped him reach 28.5, while Dell posted 20.5 despite catching fewer than half of his targets. Collins supplied 15.5 PPR points, and Hutchinson finished with 11.9. Ka'imi Fairbairn added 17.0 points from the kicking spot. Johnston led the listed Chargers skill players with 13.3 PPR points, though that production came on just one reception. Herbert finished with 10.4, and Mitchell scored 7.7.
Week 10 sends both teams on the road
The Texans visit the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. ET. The Chargers visit the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 16 at 8:15 p.m. ET, still seeking their first victory.