C.J. Stroud’s Five-Touchdown Game Shows How Dangerous the Texans’ Receivers Can Be

The Chargers had just cut the Houston Texans lead to one point when C.J. Stroud found Tank Dell for a 63-yard touchdown. Less than four minutes later, Stroud hit Kayshon Boutte for another score. That stretch before halftime told me more about the Texans’ offense than the final margin did. Houston had a game on its hands, and Stroud had two different receivers who could change it. He finished with 384 yards and five touchdown passes in the Texans’ 44-22 win at SoFi Stadium on Sunday. 

Dell going over 100 yards was a welcome sight for anyone who’s been waiting to see what he could give Houston after his return. The timing of his touchdown mattered just as much as the distance. The Chargers had trimmed the lead to 10-9 with 5:11 left in the second quarter. Dell scored 43 seconds later, and Houston went into halftime up 24-9. 

I’d keep giving defenses a reason to worry about Dell deep routes. Even when Stroud looks elsewhere, a safety who has to account for Dell can leave more space for a receiver crossing underneath. That’s what I’m watching for in the next few games. A deep ball is fun on Sunday. The room it can create on the next third-and-5 is how Dell’s speed can help Houston every week.

Boutte’s first touchdown came from 12 yards out with 31 seconds left in the first half. His second went for 63 yards early in the fourth quarter. Stroud also threw touchdowns to Xavier Hutchinson and Nico Collins. Four receivers scored, and Houston gave game balls to Dell, Boutte, Stroud, offensive coordinator Nick Caley and the defensive line.

The 12-yarder is the Boutte play I keep coming back to. It gave Houston a two-touchdown cushion before the break and showed why I’d keep him in the mix when the field gets tight. For fans already putting together a draft wish list, I’d watch what happens to Boutte’s role from here. Does he get another look near the goal line? Does Stroud go to him when a drive needs a first down? A couple of weeks of those opportunities would tell us more about Houston’s receiving depth than any one highlight.

Stroud was sacked once in 35 pass attempts. Afterward, coach DeMeco Ryans credited the offensive line for giving him time against a Chargers front that showed different pressures. That was a big part of the afternoon for me. A receiver can win downfield and still spend the whole play watching the quarterback dodge a rusher. Houston gave Stroud time to make those wins count. 

The Texans are 3-5 after beating a Chargers team that fell to 0-8. I’ll take the win and keep an eye on whether the protection travels. If the line can buy Stroud that extra beat against the next pass rush, Caley can keep putting multiple receivers in position to make plays. 

I’m still replaying Dell’s touchdown, but the sequence I want Houston to carry forward is what came after it. The Texans had a chance to go into halftime with a lead, kept pressing and found Boutte for another seven. The next time Houston gets the ball late in a half with a one-score lead, I’d like to see that same trust in Stroud and the guys running routes for him.