The Texans are walking into Week 5 with an 0-4 record, but in Nashville, nobody’s acting like that makes them harmless.
Houston heads to Tennessee for its second AFC South game of the season, and the setup is simple: one of these winless teams is finally going to get off the mat. Both clubs have dropped four straight to open the year, and both are trying to stop the slide before it buries them deeper in the division and the AFC race.
That’s why the Titans are spending the week talking about Houston like a team far better than its record. Cam Ward was quick to acknowledge the challenge on Wednesday, calling the Texans one of the best 0-4 teams in the NFL while looking ahead to the matchup.
"Every division game is a rivalry. That's one thing we want to do, is own the South," Ward said this week.
"We've got a great opportunity versus them, and they gonna be excited. They look at us the the same exact way as we look at them: we're both 0-4 teams.
We're both searching for a win this year. And it could really get us going the right direction."
"But it's going to be an exciting game. They're one of the best 0-4 teams out there in the NFL, and they're going to have their hands full when they come play us as well."
Robert Saleh took that praise even further. The Titans head coach said Houston might be the best winless team he’s ever seen, and he backed that up by pointing to the Texans’ defense, offensive playmakers, and the quality of the teams they’ve already faced.
"Might be the greatest 0-4 team in the history of football," Saleh said of the Texans. "Their defense is, obviously, one of the top-five units in all of football.
They've lost four games to four really, really good football teams... They've been in a lot of really, really tight games.
I think they've all come down to the last second, with the exception of maybe Cincinnati."
"But, overall, well coached. A lot of respect for DeMeco and his staff.
Playmakers all over the place on defense. Nico Collins is there.
C.J. Stroud plays at a high level.
They're putting up a lot of points and yards on offense. And it's going to be a tremendous challenge."
For Houston, the compliments are nice, but they won’t mean much if the results stay the same. A loss in Tennessee would deepen the hole and make the Texans’ hopes of turning this season around even tougher to chase down.
That’s what makes this trip so important. DeMeco Ryans’ team has to clean things up and finally put together a complete performance against a divisional opponent it has handled well lately. Houston has won six of its last seven games against Tennessee dating back to 2022, and now it gets a chance to extend that run while trying to prove the Titans right about its talent.
In Other News...
Texans Suddenly Linked To A Receiver Move Fans Will Obsess Over
The receiver market just got a lot more interesting for teams with an eye on upgrading before the deadline, and Houston is suddenly being mentioned in the middle of it. Marvin Harrison Jr. has reportedly been informed by Arizona that he will be traded and will be inactive for the Cardinals' upcoming game, with ESPN insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reporting the deal will not be completed until after Sunday's games.
For the Texans, the link is obvious enough to get attention, even if nothing has been confirmed. A move for a player with Harrison's profile would fit the kind of swing teams make when they think they are close, and it is exactly the sort of rumor that can take on a life of its own in Houston. For now, though, it remains speculation, with the actual destination still waiting to be revealed. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Suddenly Have A New Concern Ahead Of Titans Showdown
Aireontae Erserys status became a late-week concern for the Texans after the starting left tackle missed Fridays practice because of an illness ahead of Sundays matchup with the Titans. Houston is still searching for its first win of the season at 0-4, and any change up front is especially worth watching for an offense that has already had plenty to sort through.
Erserys availability is still uncertain, leaving the Texans with the possibility of having to reshuffle their offensive line on short notice. Against a Tennessee front that can make life difficult, Houston would prefer as much stability as possible in front of its quarterback, and this situation adds another layer of pressure heading into a game the Texans badly need to find a way to win. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Depth Chart Just Got More Complicated Before Titans Game
The Texans Week 5 preparation for Tennessee got a little busier after a flurry of roster moves that reshaped the bottom and middle of the depth chart. Houston activated second-round pick McDonald and veteran safety Stewart from injured reserve, then elevated Hall from the practice squad for his season debut as the team continues to sort out which pieces are ready to help right away and which are still being eased back in.
Houston also released Gronowski and Oliver from the 53-man roster, with both expected to land back on the practice squad, while Murray remains on the active roster and could factor into the defense with a starting role. For a team trying to settle its mix heading into a divisional game, the question now is less about who is available than how quickly all of these moving parts can be put into place. [Read more 🡒]