Texans’ rookie duo stuns Chargers with rare feat unseen in 87 years

The rookies brought the heat for the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Houston entered its Week 17 assignment against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., looking to secure a spot in the NFL playoffs, and the Texans’ rookie pair of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel answered the call early, helping their team record a 20-16 victory over Justin Herbert and company.

The Texans kicked things off with a quick score in the opening drive, as they needed just three plays to find the end zone, courtesy of a monster 75-yard touchdown reception by Higgins.

TEXANS STRIKE FIRST WITH A 75-YARD TOUCHDOWN 🔥

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— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025

After Houston’s defense forced the Chargers to punt, CJ Stroud and the Texans’ offense got down to work again and finished yet another efficient drive with a huge play, as the quarterback found Noel for a 43-yard touchdown to extend the AFC South team’s lead to 14 points.

AND THEN A 43-YARD TOUCHDOWN@CJ7STROUD is on fire.

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— NFL (@NFL) December 27, 2025

According to NFL+, Noel and Higgins just made history as the first rookie duo since 1938 to score 40-yard-plus touchdowns in the same game.

Plays like those by Higgins and Noel not only provided Houston an early boost in the contest but also likely gave the rookies a big confidence boost, which could help the Texans moving forward.