The Day After the Day After…when the raw, immediate emotion from the outcome of a game descends into the realm of clarity and the proverbial (or literal) hangover is no longer on the mind. With that, a review of the week 5
Need to win? Yes. Season saved? Too early to call…: You don’t need advanced analytics to tell you that Houston is in a must-win situation. The odds at 0-4 are bad enough. 0-5…well, that’s uncharted territory. If the lowly Titans effectively ended the dreams of a supposed contender nearly a quarter of the way through a season, few results could be more painful. Fortunately for Houston, they did what they had to do, leaving Nashville with a resounding 26-3 victory. For one game, the team played defense like they thought they would coming into the season, holding the Titans to just under 190 yards of total offense, forcing 2 turnovers and allowing just 3 points. Yes, last season’s run was fueled by a 26-0 blowout by these same Titans. However, the circumstances are different. Houston is now 1-4 compared to 1-3, and last season, two of 2025 losses were to NFC teams. This season, AFC squads have 3 losses. Also, three of the 2026 losses were at home. Last season, that 0-3 start was just one home loss. Tiebreakers helped Houston last year. They might hurt it this year.
The running game is not working properly: While Houston had a relatively stress-free win, there were still some important issues. In particular, the running game is nowhere near firing on most cylinders. The Titans have some strength on the defensive interior, but for a “get right” game, the running game cannot be exploited. This is the 4th straight game Houston has finished with less than 80 total yards rushing. Offseason offensive star acquisition David Montgomery needed just 11 yards on 5 carries before leaving the game with a groin injury, leaving his status as day-to-day. Marks managed more than 4 yards on one carry but only checked in with 62 rushing yards. For all the investments in the offensive line and running game, the Texans aren’t getting anywhere near a good ROI. The subsequent trade for Marvin Harrison Jr post-game seemed to indicate that Houston would lean on his passing game. If the defense can meet its expected standards, it can win games. However, heading into December/January where Houston has to play Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Philadelphia and Green Bay, the lack of running in bad weather will prove a huge liability.
Revenge Game for Tommy Townsend? Probably not: This offseason, Houston decided not to renew the contract of Tommy Townsend, who punted for the Texans for two seasons. Townsend, a Super Bowl-winning punter from Kansas City, moved to the Titans. Certainly, he might have enjoyed outkicking Kroeger in this matchup. While Townsend’s numbers were ok for a punter (4 punts/47.0 average/1 punt inside 20), he didn’t exactly feel sorry for Houston that they moved. Kai Kroeger’s line: 2 punts/37.5 average/2 punts in 20. It helps that Houston doesn’t need to call on Kroeger that much, but on this day, Houston is probably happy it saved money on its punting.
- 1st Qtr (8:24) TEN Ball at the TEN 14, 2nd and 9, Cam Ward incomplete pass deep left to Kylen Granson.
On the opening drive, the Titans drove the ball into the Texans’ red zone, but Houston’s defense stiffened, forcing a FG. On the ensuing drive, after forcing a Houston punt, the Titans looked to continue that momentum. On the second play of the drive, Ward dropped and found an open TE, Kylen Granson, left to left, with S Blankenship in coverage. Ward was under a bit of pressure, but he had time to find the open man. The throw is at the fingertips of the Titans’ TE. If he completes the pass, the Titans move up the field about 20 yards. For a Houston defense that is among the league leaders in allowing explosive plays, this was a bad miss for the Titans. The Texans shut down the Titans on the ensuing 3rd Down, forcing a punt. Houston would score the tying FG on the next drive, and on the Titans’ next possession, Houston forced the first of two turnovers. Two drives after the missed completion, Houston went up 6-3, and the Titans couldn’t put more pressure on the Texans’ defense the rest of the game. That incompletion is all about momentum for the Texans and Titans.
3: Most of Will Anderson Jr’s stats:Sunday’s game for Will Anderson is brought to you by number 3. He has 3 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFL and 3 QB hits. He was credited with 4 total tackles, and if you divide his jersey number (51) by 17, you get the number 3. What does that last data point have to do with anything? Why not?
8.4/77.6: Houston’s average penalties/yards penalized per game: On Sunday, Houston committed 11 penalties for 95 yards. In the previous two games, those numbers were 12/92.5. They weren’t hurt in this game, but those numbers help explain the current 1-4 start.
QB CJ Stroud: With the aforementioned struggles in the running game, this offense stretches as far as Stroud’s arm can reach. 26 of 34 for 261 yards and a TD, while only getting 2 sacks and his 4th straight game without a turnover will help a lot. Only 5 yards rushing on 6 scrambles, but nothing perfect.
LB Jake Hansen:With To’oTo’o still out and Al-Shaair just back in the lineup, Hansen was forced into service to cover the LB2 spot. In this game, he did his part, with 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL and 2 PD. He did get an INT, setting up a FG. While it’s all because of the defensive line (thanks Danielle Hunter), Hansen is the right man at the right time.
Des Will Anderson/Danielle Hunter: 6 combined tackles, 4 combined sacks, 5 QB hits/pressures, forced one INT. That also helps a defense.
MUST STRICTLY LISTEN TO THE MOST DRUNK BACHELORETTE PARTY KARAOKEING MUSIC ROW ON REPEAT WHILE CLEANING SAID BARS HOURS AFTER LAST CALL:
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk: Have the Titans ever considered that maybe the whole “trying to troll the current Houston franchise by wearing Columbia Blue” for their Nashville matchups isn’t working? 0-4 since 2023 when facing the Texans at home. Yes, they incorporated the color into their everyday uniforms starting this season, but even KS Adams decided to change something here.
Houston Texans run blocking. They can’t create holes for the run, and when the Texans get a decent run play going (aka Marks’ 24-yard run negated by a Brevin Jordan hold…and an unnecessary one at that), they commit dumb penalties.
Toro and the Terrible Towel: Bad Bull! Bad Bull! The Steelers may not be what they used to be, but those damn towels…screw them, they’ll be back. 0-8 combined since said towel was ripped…sheesh.
Houston is back in the win column, now sitting at 1-4. They will start their third trip abroad to play London Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is at 8:30 am CDT and will air on the NFL Network. Set your alarms and see you there.