The Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans are both 0-4. One leaves Nissan Stadium with its first win Sunday.
The Titans have a real chance, but they must win the line of scrimmage on both sides. The worst rain is expected before 7 a.m., with chances dropping around 1 p.m. Central, about an hour into the game. Winds are forecast at 10 to 15 mph.
The Texans' backs have been hit almost as soon as they get the ball. They're averaging 2.85 yards per carry, and only 35 of their 214 yards came before contact. Their line isn't creating much room. The Titans' run defense is tied for ninth in PFF's grades, and Jeffery Simmons practiced fully Friday. If the Titans limit the Texans on the ground, C.J. Stroud will have to carry more of the offense.
Titans must win the trench-battle to upset Texans in Week 5
The Texans' pass protection gives the Titans a chance to pressure Stroud: guards Keylan Rutledge and Ed Ingram have allowed 24 pressures between them. Ingram and tackles Aireontae Ersery and Blake Fisher are questionable.
Stroud has thrown zero interceptions, but PFF has him pressured on 62 of 170 dropbacks and sacked 12 times.
Nico Collins has three touchdowns in two games, and Jaylin Noel is averaging 23.3 yards per catch. Amani Hooker is out, so the Titans need pressure without leaving the back end exposed.
The Titans have to protect Cam Ward and find a run game
The Titans rank first in PFF pass-blocking grade, but 31st in run blocking. That's a tough combination against a Texans defense ranked fourth in pass rush.
Will Anderson Jr. has 25 pressures and seven sacks through four games. He lines up mostly across from right tackle JC Latham, who has allowed four pressures but no sacks. Anderson practiced fully Friday despite an ankle injury. Latham will need help if Anderson starts winning early.
The Titans need enough from their run game to keep Cam Ward from facing pressure on every obvious passing down.
If the protection holds, the Texans have openings in coverage. Kamari Lassiter has allowed 21 catches on 26 targets for 244 yards. Reed Blankenship has given up 15 of 17 for 187 yards and two touchdowns. That makes Carnell Tate's status worth watching. He's questionable with a back injury after leading Titans wide receivers with 32 targets.
@carnelltate leads all rookie wide receivers in targets (32), catches (22) and first downs (11) through four games. Among rookies with at least 50 routes, his 2.16 yards per route run also ranks first.
— Titans-Desk (@mbottoms31) October 7, 2026
He's already the Titans' most-targeted wide receiver. He's also caught all… pic.twitter.com/XwWxj7hXR1
This game is winnable if the Titans handle the line play. Stop the Texans' backs, make Stroud deal with pressure, protect Ward and give the run game enough room to matter. That's the path to the first win.
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