Chargers End Scoring Drought in 44-22 Loss to Texans

Los Angeles fans saw their team score a touchdown for the first time in nearly a month, but the result did not change the season. The Chargers fell 44-22 to the Houston Texans on Sunday, leaving them without a win in 2026.

The scoring break came in the fourth quarter when Justin Herbert found Quentin Johnston for a 58-yard touchdown. That play snapped a dry spell of 12 consecutive quarters and 37 offensive drives without a score, a streak that began on Oct. 11. Backup quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei later threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Derius Davis, marking the first time this season the team recorded multiple passing touchdowns in a single game.

The offensive unit faced scrutiny after the loss. Herbert finished 13 of 23 for 193 yards and threw his 11th interception of the season, leading the league in that category. He was sacked a career-high eight times. The team went 5 for 17 on third down and recorded 13 plays for negative yardage. Tight end Charlie Kolar described the experience as painful, stating that playing for an offense struggling so intensely hurts the soul.

Coaching adjustments offered little relief. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel moved from the sideline to the booth to call plays, an attempt to invigorate the stagnant unit. Head coach Jim Harbaugh noted that the team was not as effective on third down as the Texans were defensively or offensively. Harbaugh said the team simply got beat in those situations.

Mistakes continued to plague the Chargers throughout the contest. On the opening drive, receiver Tre Harris dropped a deep pass that would have gained more than 30 yards. In the second quarter, Herbert missed open receivers in the end zone, underthrowing Harris and overthrowing Johnston. Just before halftime, Herbert threw behind KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who was wide open over the middle. In the third quarter, running back Keaton Mitchell fumbled the ball away at the Texans 24-yard line.

The loss extends the Chargers' losing streak to 11 consecutive games, dating back to last season. This is the franchise's longest losing streak since they began the 2000 season 0-11. The team travels to Baltimore next week to face the Ravens before returning home to play the New York Jets. Harbaugh said giving up is not part of the team's culture, though the record suggests the path to stability remains long.