The Houston Texans head to Nashville for a Week 5 meeting with the Tennessee Titans, and the setup makes this one feel like a game with plenty of room for surprises. Both teams are sitting at 0-4, and that alone gives this AFC South matchup a different edge than usual.
With that in mind, here are three bold calls for how Sunday could unfold for Houston.
Start with the run game, where veteran back Montgomery has been searching for traction. After a three-touchdown debut in Week 1, his production has dipped hard. Over the last three games, he has averaged fewer than 3.0 yards per carry, and the Texans’ rushing attack has lost a lot of its punch along the way.
This week, though, the matchup could tilt in his favor. Tennessee has allowed the most carries per game through four contests and is giving up 3.7 yards per carry on the season. A 50-yard day wouldn’t exactly light up the scoreboard, but after Montgomery has failed to top 35 yards in each of the past three games, it would count as a solid step forward, especially with Woody Marks taking on a bigger role.
Another place Houston could make noise is in the takeaway column. The Texans have only one interception through their first four games, which stands out considering how disruptive this defense has been at times when it comes to forcing turnovers.
Cam Ward gives them a chance to change that. The second-year quarterback should present opportunities for this secondary, and Kamari Lassiter feels like the most logical player to cash in. Two weeks ago, Texans safety Reed Blankenship broke through against the Indianapolis Colts for his first interception of the season after a rough two-game stretch, and Lassiter could find himself in a similar spot this weekend.
The third prediction is tied to something Houston has already done well against Tennessee: protect the football. In the Texans’ 2025 matchups with the Titans, they didn’t turn it over in either Week 4 or Week 11, and that held true regardless of whether C.J. Stroud or Davis Mills was under center.
That ball security has carried over since the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Houston has gone three straight games without a turnover, with Stroud’s decision-making and his playmakers’ attention to ball security both playing a part.
Unless Robert Saleh has something unexpected ready to throw Houston off rhythm, the Texans should win the turnover battle again. And that usually puts them in a good position to win the game, too.
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 🡒]