It’s Week 5 in the NFL, and we’re looking at a brutal AFC South showdown where two teams are still trying to find that first W. The Houston Texans, who everyone expected to be a playoff contender coming into this season, are sitting at a gut-wrenchwrenching 0-4. That kind of start usually slams the door shut on any playoff dreams, no matter how bright things looked a few months ago. Across the field, the Tennessee Titans are in the same boat, having posted 3-14 records in back-to-back seasons and looking like they’re headed for more of the same, maybe even worse, in 2026. This Sunday, somebody’s gotta win, right?
What Happened to Houston’s “Fierce” Defense?
Last season, the Texans were making noise, even reaching the AFC Divisional Round before bowing out to the Patriots. A huge part of that run? Their absolutely fierce defense. That unit was stifling, allowing NFL lows of just 277.2 yards and 17.4 points per game. They wreaked havoc, simple as that. Fast forward to 2026, and it’s a completely different story. That “fierce” defense? It’s just not the same. They’re giving up 343.8 yards and 27.3 points per contest, numbers that put them firmly in the bottom half of the league. Only four other teams are letting opponents score more points per game. They’ve faced some high-powered offenses in the Bills and Bengals already, but still, the drop-off is alarming. Heading into Tennessee, where they face the league’s worst offense, is a chance for them to finally get something, anything, going. The SportsLine Projection Model is still giving Houston the edge, picking them to win in 71% of its simulations. On Kalshi, you can trade on the Texans to win for $0.75 per share, which equates to a 75% probability.
Titans’ Offensive Nightmare Continues
The Tennessee Titans aren’t just struggling; their offense is historically bad right now. We’re talking about the league’s absolute worst unit, averaging a meager 261.3 yards per game, which puts them dead last at 32nd in the NFL. Their scoring isn’t much better, putting up just 13.8 points per contest, good for 31st. Oof. They’re also winless, and frankly, their struggles feel like a continuation of a really rough couple of years. The bright spot? Their defense is actually holding its own, giving up fewer than 21 points per game. So, while their offense can’t get out of its own way, the defense isn’t the reason they’re still searching for a win. The SportsLine model gives Tennessee a 29% chance of pulling off the upset, with a Tennessee victory trading at $0.26 per share on Kalshi.
This Sunday, someone finally gets to shed that goose egg from the win column. Will the Texans’ once-feared defense find a spark against the league’s worst offense, or will the Titans’ stout defense be enough to carry their struggling unit to a much-needed victory? This game is everything for both these teams trying to avoid digging an even deeper hole.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply