To say that 2026 has been a challenging season for DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans owuld be a major understatement. With a 2-5 record, and a myriad of fundamental issues with their quality of play, the main response Texan fans had to Ryans’ claims that they would fix some things during the bye week was “Is two weeks enough time? You have a LOT to work on, Coach!”
Fortunately, awaiting the Texans on the other side of the bye week was the Los Angeles Chargers, who look every bit the worst team in football, which their now 0-8 record tells us they are. The Texans treated then as such on Sunday — final score, Texans 44, Chargers 22.
The Houston Texans needed a game like that. Coming off of that long week off, a week that followed arguably the most disappointing loss of the Demeco Ryans Era, a 27-21 overtime loss as a 10 point favorite to the Giants, the Texans needed a game where they could feel good about themselves, and more importantly feel confident in the trajectory of the team over the second half of the season.
The Texans currently sit at 3-5 on the season, the identical record they had through eight games last season. I don’t Know if this version of the Texans is good enough to replicate last season’s nine game winning streak to close out the season, but the schedule sets up okay for the Texans, one of the easiest schedules in the NFL for the rest of the season.
For now, let’s hit the winners and losers from Sunday’s rout of the Chargers:
WINNERS
4. Tank Dell
I think we can say it — Tank Dell is officially back. Yes, he had a 43 yard catch and a short punt return in his return, two weeks ago, after 22 months from a traumatic knee injury. That was nice to see. On Sunday, he was doing things the “old Tank Dell” used to do regularly, the key highlight being a 63 yard deep shot for a touchdown that extended the Texans’ lead from 10-9 to 17-9 in the second quarter. It was the start of 28 unanswered points for the Texans. Tank Dell isn’t just playing again. He is a weapon.
3. Nico Collins
Speaking of weapons, the straw that stirs the drink for the Texans is Collins. On Sunday, he had a very modest four catches for 55 yards, but holy smokes, one of the catches was this touchdown catch to make the score 31-9:
I submit this as the greatest catch I’ve ever seen from a Houston Texan, and on a team that’s employed Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins, that’s saying something.
2. Kayshon Boutte
We mention Dell and Collins, but the biggest statistical day for any Texans wide receiver was actually generated by Boutte (4 catches, 125 yards, 2 touchdowns), who the Texans traded for in the aftermath of Jayden Higgins’ ACL tear in training camp. This season, Boutte has not been at the forefront, volume-wise, in the passing game, but it seems like every time Stroud targets Boutte, he makes a big play. On Sunday, Boutte’s full arsenal of skills was on display, as his first touchdown showed his superior body control and footwork, and his second touchdown, a 63 yard catch and run, showed Boutte’s ability to turn into a running back after he catches the ball with a head of steam.
1. C.J. Stroud
The trigger man for all of these fireworks was Stroud, who continued his outstanding play here in 2026. The Texans as a team are 3-5, but their quarterback is playing like a quarterback of a team that should be 6-2. On Sunday, Stroud averaged an astounding 11 yards per pass attempt and tied a personal record for touchdown passes in a game with five. Stroud continues to do this without a respectable running game, and with protection up front that’s average at best. He’s mastered his ability to maneuver in the pocket and buy time to make elite throws. He even went and got a couple first downs with his legs (2 carries, 20 yards). Stroud is the biggest reason to watch the Texans right now.
LOSERS
4. Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Harrison played more snaps in this game than he’d been playing in his first two games as a Texan, but still totaled just two catches for 20 yards receiving. The only reason I have him in this category is because he was the only Texans wide receiver that didn’t catch a touchdown pass. The way this receiver room seems to work is that everyone will get their turn having a couple 100 yard games at some point, and Harrison certainly has the talent to do that. Also, if the Texans keep winning, then fans won’t get as restless over how little Harrison has flashed since being traded here for a second round pick. For Harrison’s own personal future, though, he needs to begin showing something in the passing game, as the Texans must make a decision on his fifth year option in 2028 after the 2026 season is over.
3. Texans run game
There are a couple things the Texans have done well this season — throw the ball with C.J. Stroud and rush the opposing team’s quarterback. On Sunday, they did both of those things at an elite level, with Stroud throwing for 384 yards and the Texans’ defense sacking Justin Herbert eight times. However, the things the Texans have done poorly this season, they generally did at about the same level in this win. In particular, the running game is still stuck in mud. The Texans’ two running backs, Woody Marks and Emari Demercado, combined for 86 yards on 24 carries. We’re halfway through the season, and if this team were going to run the football well, they’d be doing it by now. It’s quite evident, Stroud will need to wear a cape every Sunday.
2. Justin Herbert
- Mike McDaniel
These two can be grouped together, because when the Chargers hired McDaniel to run their offense, he and Herbert functionally became attached at the hip. This connection might be the worst thing to ever happen to Herbert, who looks like a completely broken quarterback. I’ve always thought Herbert was a little overrated, as his physical traits have allowed him to land in the top six or seven quarterbacks in the various subjective power rankings each season, despite his never winning a playoff game, ever. Now, I just feel sorry for Herbert, who clearly is a fish out of water in McDaniel’s system. On Sunday, the Chargers finally snapped a streak of 37 straight possessions without a touchdown, but Herbert also kept alive his streak of throwing a pick in each game this season. McDaniel should be fired by the time you read this. He won’t be, but he should be.
