Chargers Season: Loss to Texans Extends Historic Skid
Houston's 44-22 victory leaves Los Angeles at 0-8, matching the franchise's worst start in 26 years.
By Lorenzo Marshall ·
Los Angeles Chargers fans at SoFi Stadium heard boos instead of cheers Sunday as their team suffered its eighth straight defeat. The 44-22 loss to the Houston Texans extended a losing streak that now spans 11 games, a record for the longest skid in franchise history. The final score reflects a team that has gone winless in its first eight matches of the 2026 season.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud led the Texans with 384 passing yards and five touchdown throws. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 230 yards and one interception before halftime. Houston built a 24-9 lead by the end of the second quarter. Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker scored the only points for Los Angeles in that stretch, converting field goals from 52, 33, and 43 yards out.
Justin Herbert struggled against the Texans defense. He completed 13 of 23 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown. Herbert was sacked eight times and threw an interception. He departed the game with a hand injury in the fourth quarter. Coach Jim Harbaugh stated that the medical staff did not know the severity of the injury at the time and it could be a fracture. Backup quarterback DJ Uiagalelei entered the game and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Derius Davis with 4:19 remaining.
The offense showed few signs of life beyond Herbert’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Quentin Johnston in the fourth quarter. That score cut the deficit to 38-15 with 12:47 left in the game. It marked the Chargers' first touchdown in 37 consecutive possessions. The previous score had been a 42-yard run by Kimani Vidal during a loss to the Denver Broncos on Oct. 11.
Injury concerns mounted before the game even began. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey suffered back spasms during pregame warmups and was listed as questionable. He is the team's leading receiver with 286 yards. His absence deprived Herbert of his primary target. The Chargers also saw Tre’ Harris drop an open pass on the first drive, a moment that defined the offensive performance for much of the contest.
The result ties the record set by the 2000 Chargers, who lost 11 straight games to start the season under then-quarterback Jim Harbaugh. That team eventually won in Week 12 with a 52-yard field goal by John Carney. Tight end Charlie Kolar noted the difficulty of believing in the team while losing. "We’re not playing good football," he said. "We’ve got to get into the win column."
