A Decisive Fourth Quarter Seals the Win
The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Houston Texans 27-7 in their preseason opener at NRG Stadium on Friday, August 14, 2026. The visiting team controlled the tempo after taking an early 10-7 lead in the second quarter, then pulled away decisively in the final period with two more scores. The victory improved Los Angeles to 1-0, while Houston dropped to 0-1 in the early-season standings.
Early Exchange and Second-Quarter Shift
The game began with defensive struggles for both sides, but the Chargers struck first when Cameron Dicker connected on a 34-yard field goal to make it 3-0. Houston responded quickly in the same period, as Davis Mills found Jared Wayne for a 5-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful kick from Chris Freeman to take a 7-3 lead.
The momentum shifted in the second quarter when Amar Johnson broke loose for a 7-yard rushing touchdown. Dicker’s extra point gave Los Angeles its first lead of the game, 10-7, which held at halftime. The Chargers' offense showed flashes of efficiency, while the Texans' ground game struggled to maintain consistency beyond the opening drive.
Third Quarter Stagnation and Fourth Quarter Surge
The third quarter was defined by field position and special teams, as Cameron Dicker added another field goal, this time from 48 yards out, extending the Chargers' lead to 13-7. Houston failed to generate any significant offensive pressure during this period, leaving the scoreboard unchanged until the fourth quarter.