Texans vs Chargers Match Player Stats
The texans vs chargers match player stats from the 2026 NFL preseason opener tell a much more interesting story than the final 27-7 score alone. The Los Angeles Chargers overcame an early 7-0 deficit, controlled the game after the opening quarter, and finished with 275 passing yards, 104 rushing yards, three takeaways from Houston’s offense and two rushing touchdowns. Houston managed only 98 passing yards and 111 rushing yards, with its offense failing to score after the first quarter.
The game was officially recorded by the NFL as a preseason matchup in Houston, with the Chargers winning 27-7. The official NFL schedule lists the contest as taking place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, despite some data listings showing August 14.
For readers studying individual performances, the most important takeaway is that this was not simply a case of one team having better raw yardage. Los Angeles created explosive plays through the passing game, received a highly efficient performance from DJ Uiagalelei, produced two rushing touchdowns, and kept Houston scoreless for the final three quarters.
Houston, meanwhile, showed some promising individual contributions. Noah Whittington led the Texans in rushing with 40 yards, Josh Pitsenberger added 33, and rookie safety Kamari Ramsey produced one of the game’s most notable defensive plays with a 40-yard interception return.
Texans vs Chargers Match Player Stats at a Glance
| Category | Los Angeles Chargers | Houston Texans |
| Final Score | 27 | 7 |
| Passing Yards | 275 | 98 |
| Rushing Yards | 104 | 111 |
| Total Offensive Yards | 379 | 209 |
| Passing TDs | 1 | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 2 | 0 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Team Sacks Allowed | 2 | 2 |
| Receptions | 18 | 13 |
| Tackles | 65 | 67 |
| Tackles for Loss | 4 | 7 |
| Passes Defensed | 5 | 5 |
| Kick Return Yards | 43 | 162 |
| Punt Return Yards | 31 | 1 |
The most striking statistical difference was total offense. Los Angeles generated 379 yards, while Houston produced 209. That 170-yard gap explains why Houston could not sustain the scoring pace it established during the opening quarter.
Final Score and Game Flow
The Chargers did not start the game with the lead. Houston scored 7 points in the first quarter while Los Angeles managed only 3.
After that, the game changed dramatically.
The Chargers scored 7 points in the second quarter, another 3 in the third, and then closed with 14 points in the fourth. Houston failed to score in any of the final three quarters.
The quarter-by-quarter scoring was:
| Quarter | Chargers | Texans |
| Q1 | 3 | 7 |
| Q2 | 7 | 0 |
| Q3 | 3 | 0 |
| Q4 | 14 | 0 |
| Final | 27 | 7 |
That progression is important because the final margin was not created entirely in one explosive stretch. Los Angeles gradually took control and then pulled away late.
The official NFL game center confirms the 27-7 final score and the 3-7, 7-0, 3-0, 14-0 quarter sequence.
Los Angeles Chargers Passing Performance
The Chargers used Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei at quarterback.
Together, the Los Angeles quarterbacks completed 18 of 29 passes for 275 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
That production came in very different ways.
Trey Lance
Trey Lance finished with:
- 12 completions on 20 attempts
- 164 passing yards
- 8.2 yards per attempt
- 0 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 2 sacks
- 65.4 passer rating
Lance’s 164 passing yards represented the larger share of the Chargers’ aerial production. He also contributed 27 rushing yards on three attempts, including a 15-yard run.
However, the interception was an important negative play. Houston safety Kamari Ramsey intercepted Lance and returned the ball 40 yards. The play was particularly notable because Ramsey had already shown an aggressive approach earlier in the contest.
For Lance, the statistical picture is therefore mixed. His yardage was solid, but the interception and two sacks kept his overall efficiency below the level produced by Uiagalelei.
DJ Uiagalelei
DJ Uiagalelei produced the most efficient quarterback line of the game.
He completed 6 of 9 passes for 120 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 13.3 yards per attempt, threw no interceptions, was not sacked, and recorded a 146.8 passer rating.
Those numbers stand out immediately.
His 120 yards came on only nine attempts, meaning the Chargers were generating substantial yardage on each completed opportunity. The 13.3-yard average was also considerably higher than Lance’s 8.2-yard average.
Uiagalelei’s performance is especially interesting when viewed through efficiency rather than volume. Lance attempted more passes and accumulated more yards, but Uiagalelei generated the stronger statistical return per attempt.
Chargers Team Passing
The complete Los Angeles passing line was:
18 completions on 29 attempts, 275 yards, 9.8 yards per attempt, one touchdown and one interception.
The Chargers also recorded two sacks for nine yards lost.
The 9.8-yard team average shows that Los Angeles was consistently finding opportunities beyond short, low-risk completions. That became one of the clearest differences between the two offenses.
Houston Texans Passing Performance
Houston used Davis Mills and Graham Mertz at quarterback.
Together, they completed 13 of 22 passes for only 98 yards.
The Texans averaged 4.8 yards per passing attempt and recorded one passing touchdown with no interceptions.
Davis Mills
Davis Mills completed 9 of 15 attempts for 82 yards.
His line included:
- 82 passing yards
- 5.5 yards per attempt
- 1 touchdown
- 0 interceptions
- 2 sacks
- 97.1 passer rating
Mills was considerably more productive than Graham Mertz in terms of passing volume and yardage.
He also avoided an interception, which was a positive element of his performance. However, Houston’s passing game remained relatively conservative, averaging only 5.5 yards per attempt.
Graham Mertz
Graham Mertz completed 4 of 7 passes for 23 yards.
He averaged 3.3 yards per attempt, threw no touchdowns and no interceptions, and was not sacked.
Mertz also contributed 15 rushing yards on three carries.
The major challenge for Houston was that neither quarterback produced enough passing efficiency to consistently stretch the Chargers defense. The Texans finished with fewer than 100 team passing yards, while Los Angeles nearly tripled that total.
Rushing Comparison
One of the more interesting aspects of the box score is that Houston actually finished with more rushing yards than Los Angeles.
The Texans recorded 111 rushing yards on 28 attempts, compared with 104 yards on 29 attempts for the Chargers.
Yet Houston did not score a rushing touchdown, while Los Angeles scored twice.
| Team | Carries | Rushing Yards | Average | TDs |
| Chargers | 29 | 104 | 3.6 | 2 |
| Texans | 28 | 111 | 4.0 | 0 |
This is a useful example of why raw rushing yardage does not always tell the complete story.
Houston gained seven more rushing yards, but Los Angeles converted its rushing opportunities into points.
Chargers Rushing Leaders
Trey Lance
Lance ran three times for 27 yards.
His 9.0-yard average was the best among the Chargers players with multiple carries, and his 15-yard run was the team’s longest rushing play.
His rushing contribution added another dimension to his overall performance.
Greg Desrosiers Jr.
Desrosiers Jr. carried the ball 10 times for 27 yards.
He averaged 2.7 yards per carry and produced a long run of nine yards.
The volume was significant, although the efficiency was modest.
Jaret Patterson
Patterson recorded five carries for 25 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per attempt.
He also caught one pass for 15 yards.
His combined contribution demonstrated useful versatility in the Chargers’ backfield rotation.
Amar Johnson
Amar Johnson was one of the most important offensive players in the game.
He carried six times for 17 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.
Although his 2.8 yards per carry was not spectacular, his ability to finish drives was extremely valuable. He also caught two passes for 68 yards, including a 55-yard reception.
That combination of rushing touchdowns and explosive receiving production makes Johnson one of the most statistically intriguing players from the contest.
Kimani Vidal
Vidal carried five times for eight yards.
His 1.6-yard average was the lowest among the Chargers’ listed primary rushing contributors, and he also had one receiving target without a catch.
Texans Rushing Leaders
Noah Whittington
Noah Whittington led Houston with 13 carries for 40 yards.
He averaged 3.1 yards per carry and had a long run of 11 yards.
His workload was significant, accounting for nearly half of the Texans’ listed rushing attempts.
Josh Pitsenberger
Pitsenberger carried nine times for 33 yards.
His 3.7-yard average was better than Whittington’s, and his longest run went for 16 yards.
He also received one target in the passing game.
Graham Mertz
Mertz ran three times for 15 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
His rushing contribution was one of the more efficient elements of his individual performance.
Treyvhon Saunders
Saunders had one carry for nine yards.
He also caught one pass for six yards.
Although his offensive volume was limited, his 9.0-yard rushing average was Houston’s best among players with one or more listed carries.
Chargers Receiving Performance
The Chargers finished with 18 receptions for 284 receiving yards, an average of 15.8 yards per reception.
That is a major statistical reason the Chargers produced 275 passing yards despite completing only 18 passes.
Amar Johnson
Johnson was arguably the most explosive receiving player for Los Angeles.
He caught two passes for 68 yards, averaging 34.0 yards per reception.
His longest reception covered 55 yards.
That single explosive play significantly changed the shape of his statistical line. Two catches do not normally suggest a major receiving performance, but 68 yards on those two opportunities is highly efficient production.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Lambert-Smith led the Chargers in receptions with four.
He finished with 58 yards on six targets and averaged 14.5 yards per catch.
His 16-yard reception was his longest.
The six targets also gave him one of the largest opportunities in the Chargers receiving group.
Johnny Pascuzzi
Pascuzzi caught three passes for 39 yards.
He averaged 13.0 yards per reception and recorded a long of 19 yards.
His three receptions provided consistent intermediate production.
Dalevon Campbell
Campbell recorded one catch for 32 yards.
The 32-yard reception was a major explosive contribution despite his limited target volume.
Brenen Thompson
Thompson caught two passes for 30 yards on six targets.
His 15.0-yard average was strong, although the six targets and two receptions indicate that there was room for greater completion efficiency.
Oronde Gadsden
Gadsden finished with two receptions for 21 yards.
He averaged 10.5 yards per reception and recorded a long reception of 14 yards. NFL player logs also list his two catches for 21 yards in this preseason opener.
Devonte Ross
Ross caught two passes for 14 yards and scored one receiving touchdown.
His numbers were not large in terms of yardage, but the touchdown made his contribution meaningful to the final score.
Other Chargers Receivers
Jaret Patterson added one reception for 15 yards.
Luke Grimm caught one pass for seven yards.
Kimani Vidal and JaQuae Jackson were each targeted but did not record a reception.
Texans Receiving Performance
Houston’s passing production was far more limited.
The Texans completed 13 passes for 105 receiving yards.
Their leading receiver was Marlin Klein, who recorded one catch for 31 yards.
Marlin Klein
Klein’s single reception covered 31 yards.
That made him Houston’s leader in receiving yards despite catching only one pass.
Josh Kelly
Kelly caught three passes for 28 yards.
He averaged 9.3 yards per reception and recorded a 17-yard long.
His three receptions tied for the team lead.
Jared Wayne
Wayne caught three passes for 17 yards and scored Houston’s only receiving touchdown.
His longest reception was nine yards.
The touchdown was important because it accounted for Houston’s only points of the game.
Lewis Bond
Bond finished with two receptions for 16 yards.
He was targeted four times, making his two catches a useful part of Houston’s short passing attack.
Justin Watson
Watson caught two passes for 11 yards on two targets.
His average was 5.5 yards per reception.
Other Texans Receivers
Treyvhon Saunders caught one pass for six yards.
Noah Whittington caught one pass for minus-four yards.
Cade Stover, Xavier Hutchinson and Josh Pitsenberger were each targeted without recording a reception.
Defensive Performance
Both teams recorded 67 or fewer total tackles, and both defenses finished with two sacks.
The Chargers recorded:
- 65 total tackles
- 37 solo tackles
- 2 sacks
- 4 tackles for loss
- 5 passes defensed
- 2 quarterback hits
Houston recorded:
- 67 total tackles
- 43 solo tackles
- 2 sacks
- 7 tackles for loss
- 5 passes defensed
- 1 quarterback hit
Houston actually had more tackles for loss, with seven compared with four for Los Angeles.
That statistic suggests the Texans defense had some success creating disruption around the line of scrimmage even though the overall defensive result was not enough to keep the Chargers from scoring 27 points.
Kamari Ramsey’s Interception
Kamari Ramsey delivered one of Houston’s most memorable individual performances.
He recorded one interception and returned it 40 yards.
The play came against Trey Lance and helped demonstrate Ramsey’s ability to recognize and attack a quarterback’s mistake.
The NFL’s postgame analysis highlighted Ramsey’s interception and noted that the young safety had already shown an aggressive approach earlier in the game.
For a preseason game, individual defensive evaluation can be more important than the overall team score. Ramsey’s ability to create a turnover was therefore one of the clearest positives for Houston.
Special Teams Statistics
Special teams produced another significant contrast.
Houston returned six kickoffs for 162 yards, averaging 27.0 yards per return with a long of 34.
Los Angeles had only two kickoff returns for 43 yards, averaging 21.5 yards.
The Texans therefore had a clear advantage in kickoff return yardage.
On punt returns, however, Los Angeles recorded five returns for 31 yards, while Houston had three returns for only one yard.
Cameron Dicker
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker made both of his field-goal attempts.
His longest field goal was 48 yards.
He finished with seven points, including one successful extra point out of two attempts.
Chris Freeman
Houston kicker Chris Freeman went 0-for-1 on field goals and made his lone extra-point attempt.
That missed field goal represented another scoring opportunity that Houston could not convert.
Punting
J.K. Scott punted three times for 148 yards.
His average was 49.3 yards, with a long of 56 and two punts placed inside the 20-yard line.
NFL’s official player log confirms his three punts for 148 yards in the Chargers’ 27-7 preseason win.
Houston’s Kai Kroeger punted five times for 260 yards.
He averaged 52.0 yards per punt and recorded a long of 65 yards.
Turnovers and Ball Security
Turnovers were another important part of the game.
Los Angeles recorded two fumbles and lost one.
Houston recorded one fumble and lost one.
The Chargers threw one interception, while Houston did not throw an interception.
The key individual turnover for Houston came from Kamari Ramsey’s interception of Lance.
From an evaluation standpoint, the turnover margin did not completely explain the 20-point final margin. The bigger issue was Houston’s inability to sustain offensive production after the first quarter.
What the Numbers Really Say
The most useful way to interpret these statistics is to look beyond individual leaders.
1. Los Angeles won through explosive passing
The Chargers averaged 9.8 yards per passing attempt.
Houston averaged only 4.8.
That five-yard difference per attempt is enormous.
Los Angeles did not need a huge number of completed passes to produce significant passing yardage because several completions generated substantial gains.
Amar Johnson’s 55-yard reception and Dalevon Campbell’s 32-yard catch are clear examples.
2. Houston actually ran the ball better by average
Houston averaged 4.0 yards per rushing attempt compared with Los Angeles at 3.6.
That is an important detail because it prevents the game from being reduced to the idea that Los Angeles dominated every statistical category.
Houston ran effectively enough to produce 111 yards.
The problem was converting offensive movement into points.
3. The Chargers converted rushing production into touchdowns
Los Angeles scored two rushing touchdowns.
Houston scored none.
This was a critical difference.
The Chargers did not necessarily gain more rushing yards, but they got more scoring value from their rushing opportunities.
4. Houston’s passing offense struggled to generate explosive plays
The Texans finished with only 98 passing yards.
Their longest completed pass was 31 yards.
Los Angeles, by contrast, had multiple receivers produce substantial gains.
That difference created a much wider offensive ceiling for the Chargers.
5. Defensive disruption did not automatically equal scoring control
Houston recorded seven tackles for loss compared with four for Los Angeles.
Yet the Chargers still scored 27 points.
This illustrates an important football principle: individual defensive disruption matters, but it must eventually translate into stalled drives, turnovers or reduced scoring opportunities.
Most Important Player Performances
Based strictly on the supplied statistics, several players stand out.
Best Chargers Passing Performance: DJ Uiagalelei
His 6-of-9 line for 120 yards, one touchdown and a 146.8 rating was the most efficient quarterback performance.
Best Chargers Rushing Performance: Amar Johnson
Two rushing touchdowns gave Johnson a direct impact on the scoreboard, while his 68 receiving yards added another explosive element.
Best Chargers Receiving Performance: Amar Johnson
His two catches for 68 yards and a 55-yard long made him the team’s most explosive receiver statistically.
Best Texans Rushing Performance: Noah Whittington
Whittington led Houston with 40 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Best Texans Receiving Performance: Marlin Klein
One reception for 31 yards was enough to lead Houston in receiving yards.
Best Texans Defensive Performance: Kamari Ramsey
His 40-yard interception return was the most significant individual defensive play of the contest.
Key Lessons for Evaluating Preseason Player Stats
Preseason statistics require more context than regular-season numbers.
A player can post an impressive line while facing backups, limited defensive packages or players competing for roster positions.
That does not make the statistics meaningless.
Instead, the numbers should be used to identify specific traits.
For quarterbacks, look at:
- Completion efficiency
- Yards per attempt
- Turnovers
- Sack avoidance
- Explosive completions
- Performance under pressure
For running backs, consider:
- Yards per carry
- Long runs
- Touchdown conversion
- Receiving involvement
- Workload
For receivers, examine:
- Targets
- Receptions
- Catch rate
- Yards per reception
- Explosive plays
- Touchdowns
For defenders, look at:
- Tackles
- Tackles for loss
- Sacks
- Quarterback hits
- Passes defensed
- Interceptions
- Forced fumbles
This approach gives a more balanced picture than simply identifying the player with the highest yardage total.
What Texans Fans Can Take From the Game
The 27-7 loss was disappointing, but there were still several positive data points.
Houston rushed for 111 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per attempt.
The defense recorded seven tackles for loss.
Kamari Ramsey produced an interception.
The kickoff return unit averaged 27.0 yards per return.
Those are useful individual and unit-level indicators.
The biggest concern was offensive consistency.
Houston scored seven points in the first quarter and zero afterward. The passing attack produced only 98 yards, and the team averaged just 4.8 yards per passing attempt.
The offense therefore needs to be evaluated not only on whether it can move the ball, but whether it can consistently create explosive plays and finish drives.
What Chargers Fans Can Take From the Game
The Chargers had several encouraging offensive indicators.
The team produced 275 passing yards and averaged 9.8 yards per attempt.
Uiagalelei delivered a highly efficient performance.
Amar Johnson provided explosive production in both phases.
The Chargers also scored two rushing touchdowns.
Special teams were solid, particularly through Dicker’s perfect field-goal performance and Scott’s strong punting average.
The biggest negative was ball security. Los Angeles lost one fumble and threw one interception.
Still, the overall statistical profile was strong enough to support a convincing preseason victory.
How to Read These Stats Without Overreacting
One preseason game should not be treated as a definitive prediction of a player’s regular-season success.
That is particularly important when evaluating backup quarterbacks and young skill players.
A better approach is to compare several games.
For quarterbacks, track whether efficiency remains consistent.
For receivers, track whether target volume grows or remains stable.
For running backs, watch whether efficiency survives against different defensive groups.
For defenders, look for repeated disruptive plays rather than one isolated turnover.
This game provides a starting point rather than a final conclusion.
Data Accuracy Note
There is a date discrepancy worth noting for anyone publishing or archiving this game.
The supplied dataset identifies the game date as August 14, 2026. However, the official NFL schedule records the Chargers at Texans preseason game as Thursday, August 13, 2026. The NFL game center confirms the same 27-7 result and Houston location.
For publication purposes, the official NFL date should be preferred.
The official NFL game center is the most appropriate primary reference for the final score and game information: NFL official game center for Chargers at Texans
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Chargers vs Texans preseason game in 2026?
The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Houston Texans 27-7 in the 2026 preseason opener.
Who was the most efficient Chargers quarterback?
DJ Uiagalelei was the most efficient Chargers quarterback statistically. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while recording a 146.8 passer rating.
Who led the Texans in rushing?
Noah Whittington led Houston with 40 rushing yards on 13 carries.
Who intercepted Trey Lance?
Houston safety Kamari Ramsey intercepted Trey Lance and returned the ball 40 yards.
How many passing yards did the Chargers have?
Los Angeles finished with 275 team passing yards on 18 completions from 29 attempts.
How many rushing yards did the Texans have?
Houston recorded 111 rushing yards on 28 attempts, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
Conclusion
The texans vs chargers match player stats show a game in which Los Angeles separated itself through passing efficiency, explosive plays and touchdown conversion.
Houston actually held a small advantage in rushing yardage and produced more tackles for loss, but those positives did not overcome the Chargers’ superior passing production.
The biggest statistical contrast came through the air. Los Angeles generated 275 passing yards at 9.8 yards per attempt, while Houston managed 98 passing yards at 4.8 yards per attempt.
DJ Uiagalelei’s efficient quarterback performance, Amar Johnson’s two rushing touchdowns and explosive receiving output, and Kamari Ramsey’s interception were among the most notable individual storylines.
The final score also shows why quarter-by-quarter analysis matters. Houston led 7-3 after the opening period, but the Chargers scored in every remaining quarter while keeping the Texans off the scoreboard.
For preseason evaluation, the most useful lesson is not simply that Los Angeles won 27-7. The deeper lesson is how the individual statistics explain that result. Explosive passing plays, efficient quarterback play and red-zone scoring gave the Chargers a much higher offensive ceiling, while Houston’s strong rushing average and defensive disruption were undermined by limited passing production and an inability to sustain scoring drives.
