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<\/a><\/p>\nNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 11: Woody Marks #4 of the Houston Texans rushes for yards during the second half of the game against Anthony Hill Jr. #53 of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
The running game is not alright: While Houston had a relatively stress-free win, there are still some significant issues. In particular, the running game is not even close to working on a majority of cylinders. The Titans do have some strength on the defensive interior, but for a \u201cget right\u201d game, the running game could not take advantage. This is the 4th straight game that Houston finished with less than 80 total yards rushing. The offseason offensive star acquisition David Montgomery only musted 11 yards on 5 carries before leaving the game with a groin injury, leaving his status as day-to-day. Marks at least managed over 4 yards a carry but only checked in with 62 rushing yards. For all the investments in the offensive line and running game, the Texans are not getting anywhere close to a good ROI. The subsequent trade for Marvin Harrison Jr post-game seems to indicate that Houston will lean into its passing game. If the defense could respond to its expected standard, that might win games. However, with a finishing stretch in December\/January where Houston has to play at Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Green Bay, the lack of running game in inclement weather will prove a significant liability.<\/p>\n
Revenge Game for Tommy Townsend? Perhaps not: This offseason, Houston decided not to renew the contract for Tommy Townsend, who punted for the Texans for two seasons. Townsend, a Super Bowl winning punter from Kansas City, moved on to the Titans. Certainly, he might have enjoyed outkicking Kroeger in this matchup. While Townsend\u2019s numbers were ok for a punter (4 punts\/47.0 average\/1 punt inside the 20), he didn\u2019t exactly make Houston feel sorry that they moved on. Kai Kroeger\u2019s line: 2 punts\/37.5 average\/2 punts inside the 20. Helps that Houston didn\u2019t really need to call on Kroeger all that much, but on this day, Houston is likely happy that it saved some money on its punting.<\/p>\n
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 29: Kylen Granson #86 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium on August 29, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Perry Knotts\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n 1st Qtr (8:24) TEN Ball at the TEN 14, 2nd and 9, Cam Ward incomplete pass deep left to Kylen Granson. <\/p>\n On the opening drive, the Titans drove the ball into the Texans\u2019 red zone, but the Houston defense stiffened, forcing a FG. On the subsequent drive, after forcing a Houston punt, the Titans looked to continue that momentum. On the second play of the drive, Ward dropped back and saw an open TE, Kylen Granson, deep left, with S Blankenship on the coverage. Ward was under some pressure, but he did have time to find the open man. The throw was just off the fingertips of the Titans\u2019 TE. If he completes the pass, the Titans move up the field by 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 subsequent 3rd Down, forcing a punt. Houston would score a tying FG on the next drive, and on the Titans\u2019 next possession, Houston forced the first of two turnovers. Two drives after that missed completion, Houston is up 6-3, and the Titans would be unable to put additional pressure on the Texans\u2019 defense the rest of the game. That incompletion was as much about momentum for the Texans and Titans.<\/p>\n NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 11: Will Anderson Jr. #51 of the Houston Texans celebrates after sacking Cam Ward #1 of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n 3: Most of Will Anderson Jr\u2019s stats:Sunday\u2019s game for Will Anderson was brought to you by the number 3. He had 3 solo tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFLs 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 that last data point has to do with anything? Eh, why not?<\/p>\n 8.4\/77.6: Average penalties\/yards penalized per game by Houston: Sunday saw Houston commit 11 penalties for 95 yards. In the past two games, those numbers are 12\/92.5. Didn\u2019t hurt them this game, but those numbers go a long way towards explaining that now 1-4 start.<\/p>\n NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 11: Tyjae Spears #2 of the Tennessee Titans rushes for yards against Jake Hansen #35 of the Houston Texans during the second quarter of the game at Nissan Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n QB CJ Stroud: With the aforementioned struggles with the running game, this offense is going as far as Stroud\u2019s arm will take it. 26 of 34 for 261 yards and TD, while only taking 2 sacks and his 4th straight game sans a turnover will help that immensely. Only 5 yards rushing on 6 scrambles, but no one is perfect.<\/p>\n LB Jake Hansen:With To\u2019oTo\u2019o still out and Al-Shaair just returning to the lineup, Hansen has been pressed into service to cover the LB2 spot. In this game, he did his part, with 6 tackles (3 solo), 1 TFL and 2 PDs. He did snag an INT, setting up a FG. While it was all due to the defensive line (thank you Danielle Hunter), Hansen was the right man at the right time.<\/p>\n DEs Will Anderson\/Danielle Hunter: 6 combined tackles, 4 combined sacks, 5 QB hits\/pressures, forced an INT. That also helps out a defense.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n