There have been plenty of bad AFC South matchups in history, but very few that reek of desperation quite like this one.
The Tennessee Titans (0-3) visit the Houston Texans (0-3) on Sept. 28 in a matchup between arguably the NFL’s most disastrous team and arguably the NFL’s most disappointing team. The Texans came into the season as clear favorites to three-peat as division champs, but have snoozed to a winless start behind some of the most lackluster offensive football in the NFL. And the Titans picked up right where they left off at the end of 2024, extending their losing streak to nine games dating to December.
Now if the Texans have any hope of salvaging their season, it has to start with this game. And if the Titans want to start stacking reasons to retain coach Brian Callahan and his regime deep into the season, let alone into Year 3, it has to start with progress against a still-talented Houston squad.
Here is The Tennessean’s scouting report and score prediction.
Titans’ offense vs Texans’ defense
The simple reality of the Texans’ advantage hasn’t changed: The Titans’ offensive line is allowing the highest pressure rate in the NFL, and Texans edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter both rank in the top 10 at their position in pass rush win rate.
Anderson leads the NFL in both quarterback hurries and total pressures, while Titans QB Cam Ward has been pressured the second-most times in the league. It is unclear whether he’ll have his starting right guard or right tackle in front of him.
Titans fans are all too familiar with a game plan being wrecked by the team’s inability to protect off right tackle. And consider this: Per Pro Football Focus, Ward is absorbing 36.2% of his pressures off right tackle this season. Last year, Mason Rudolph and Will Levis took only 32.9% and 30.6% of their pressures off right tackle, respectively. Somehow, the front side protection has been worse than in 2024.
Now that quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree is taking over play-calling from Callahan, maybe the Titans find ways to get the ball out more quickly or better protect Ward from the rush. At the very least, the Titans have a fresh identity for the Texans to prepare for. But the talent gap still exists.
Advantage: Texans
Titans’ defense vs Texans’ offense
Trading away cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. puts the Titans’ secondary depth back in the forefront of the conversation, especially against a loaded Texans receiving corps. The fact remains that this is a bad-on-bad matchup, given how this season’s started.
The Texans’ offense ranks last in the NFL in points scored, third-down conversion rate and red zone touchdown rate. For as good as QB C.J. Stroud can be, and for as talented as the skill guys are, the results aren’t matching. Not that this Titans defense has done much of anything to inspire confidence, either. The Titans have allowed the third-most points and yards per play in the league, while finishing with the second-fewest sacks.
Reputationally, the Texans are a little better. But that’s really the only edge right now.
Advantage: Texans
Titans vs Texans odds, betting line
Per BetMGM sportsbook, the Texans are 7-point favorites to win. The Texans moneyline is set at -350, with the Titans moneyline at +280. The over-under points total is set at 38.5 points.
Score prediction: Texans 16, Titans 13
Neither offense inspires much confidence here. Two teams playing badly. Not that the Texans have proven they know how to win, but it’s hard to predict an end to this Titans losing streak until this squad shows a lot more mettle late.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at  [email protected]. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.
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