The Houston Texans finally got in the win column on Sunday afternoon against the Tennessee Titans from Nissan Stadium, and it couldn't have come in a more dominating fashion.
The offense—albeit a bit limited—moved the ball effectively enough to keep the pressure on Tennessee's defense, and the defense completely neutralized quarterback Cam Ward and. co for 60 NFL minutes. Head coach Demeco Ryans deserves credit for the much-needed victory after hearing about the team's dismal September (and early October), along with making tough decisions during the week to ensure Sunday's outcome (taking over defense play calling as an example).
There were several other star performers to highlight from yesterday's contest, as well as a couple of individuals that came out on the short end of the stick as a result.
Here are the nine winners and four losers from Sunday's win over the Titans.
The Houston Texans had 8 winners and 4 losers from yesterday's 26-3 blowout win over the Tennessee Titans
Winners
C.J. Stroud, quarterback
C.J. Stroud is seemingly playing the best football of his four-year career through the first five games of the season, which was further confirmed after another dominant performance against the Titans. As a comparison to the first five games of his now legendary rookie season:
C.J. Stroud through 5 games (2023)
- 114/186 (61.3%)
- 1,461 passing yards
- 7 touchdowns/ 0 Interceptions
- 11 times sacked
- 100.8 passer rating
C.J. Stroud through 5 games (2026)
- 119/185 (64.3%)
- 1,402 passing yards
- 6 touchdowns/ 0 interceptions
- 14 times sacked
- 98.1 passer rating
While most of the metrics could be considered "comparable", the reality is that my take of Stroud playing his best football in 2026 is predicated on one word: Expectation.
Teams EXPECT Stroud be a problem; thus, they devote defensive resources to stop him. The fan base EXPECTS Stroud to step up in big moments when the team needs, thus the added pressure of public discourse. And Stroud himself EXPECTS greatness, thus he dedicated his entire offseason to ensuring he produced the best version of himself in the 2026 campaign. So far, he's delivering on all fronts.
Oh, and the Texans also traded for his former Ohio State teammate in Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. right after the game. What a jackpot of a day for Stroud.
Will Anderson Jr., defensive end
Not to be outdone by his 2023 draftmate in Stroud, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. amassed an explosive outing himself against Tennessee on Sunday afternoon. Against the Titans, Anderson registered three sacks, which brought his season total up to 7.5 sacks over the first five games. Not only is Anderson 1.5 sacks ahead of the second-best in Buffalo Bills linebacker Greg Rousseau, but he's also seen by many as the current favorite to take home this year's NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Keep in mind, Anderson came in second place for the award last season, only losing out to former Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who needed a historic, sack record-breaking season to hold off Anderson in the end.
Ka'imi Fairbairn, kicker:
Ka'imi Fairbairn probably won somebody's fantasy league for them this week after his first-half performance against the TItans. He was Houston's sole source of offense in the first portion of the contest, going 4-4 on field goals (along with being 2-2 in extra points later on) to give the Texans all 12 of their points to start the game. Houston's all-time leading scorer—and the league's highest-paid kicker at one point—continues to show why his franchise trusts him so much in clutch situations.
Jaylin Noel, wide receiver
Jaylin Noel is continuing to grow as a much-needed playmaker in Houston's passing attack through five games. He added five receptions, 41 receiving yards and one touchdown grab to his 2026 resume, which brings his totals up to 13 recptions, 227 receiving yards and two touchdown grabs. Noel is on pace to shatter his rookie numbers for a mile, which is exactly what fans and local media envisioned at the onset of this campaign.
Even if Noel's increase in workload is by necessity (multiple severe injuries to other receivers), he's still showed that he can be a highly-productive piece to the Texans' offensive puzzle if given the opportunities.
Houston's defense (specifically the secondary)
The Texans' defense had its best performance of the season against the Titans on Sunday. They stifled quarterback Cam. Ward and co. to the tune of only three points, which featured only 187 yards of total offense (130 passing yards, 57 rushing yards). Houston's secondary deserves credit as well, not allowing a single Titans pass catcher to secure anything over 55 receiving yards (Carnell Tate had nine receptions for 145 receiving yards the week before against the Baltimore Ravens).
It's only one game, but Houston's defense has been progressing in various ways even with an 0-4 start. This is just another step in their endeavore to recapture their historically dominant form from last season.
DeMeco Ryans, head coach
DeMeco Ryans was lauded this week for taking over defensive play calling duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke. However, Ryans still had to demonstrate that his changes—whatever they might be—would be effective enough to justify the change. Needless to say, the thorough domination of Ryans' unit on Sunday would more than warrant the decision.
It was the best that the defense looked all season thus far, and Ryans deserves credit to making the adjustments necessary to get the best out of his players. If Sunday was any indication of what's to come, don't expect to see Ryans away from the defensive play call sheet anytime soon.
Nick Caley, offensive coordinator
Even though Nick Caley definitely didn't have his best first half on Sunday, he made the necessary adjustments to put the offense in better positions for success from the third quarter and onward. He's modified his approach to factor in the reality that Houston cannot consistenly run the football, which has allowed Stroud and the offense to find more of a rhythm in the passing game.
And only a week after drawing up a Hook and Ladder lateral against the Dallas Cowboys, Caley follows it up with calling for a designed quarterback (zone read) for Stroud to punch in a score from two yards out in the second half. Caley still has his faults, but at least he's adapting to what the team is at the moment instead of still trying to force a sqaure peg in a round hole.
Woody Marks, running back
While we didn't see a 100-yard game from Woody Marks on Sunday, he still demonstrated proficiency in the limited opportunities he was given the tote the football. He contributed a 12-carry, 62-yard performance (4.1 YPC), which helped Houston stay ahead of the sticks throughout the ball game. Not only that, but Marks now has an even greater chance to cement himself as the possible RB1 of the immediate future after backfield mate David Montgomery left the contest with a groin injury.
If Montgomery is out for any stretch of time, Marks might be able to finalize his role as the lead back in short order.
Marvin Harrison Jr, wide receiver
Even though he hasn't played a down of football yet for the Texans, Marvin Harrison Jr. is a winner because he gets a much-needed fresh start with a brand new team (and his former college quarterback) amid a slow beginning to his 2026 campaign.
The season hasn't been what anyone thought it should be for the former 2024 fouth-overall selection, but reuniting with Stroud might end up reigniting the potential that Harrison once showed coming out of Ohio State.
Losers
David Montgomery, running back
Unfortunately, David Montgomery had to leave Sunday's contest with a groin injury. What makes matters worse for him is the fact that signs have already pointed toward Marks being elevated to RB1 status due to a lack of production in the rushing attack through five games. If Montgomery has to face any real recovery time, that could confirm the transition once he returns to the field of play.
Matt Burke, defensive coordinator
While he still has a job as Houston's defensive coordinator, he had to yield play calling responsibilities to Ryans after last week's devastating 34-30 shootout loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He called the move "disappointing" during the week, but he understood that tough changes were need in light of Houston's 0-4 start that had plenty to do with the defense being highly-abysmal throughout.
And after Houston dismantled Tennessee's offense to an output of only three points on Sunday afternoon, Burke is probably going to have to get comfortable just riding shotgun with Ryans behind the wheel the rest of the way.
Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte, wide receivers
Xavier Hutchinson and Kayshon Boutte being considered 'losers' here only came after the news that general manager Nick Caserio had swung a deal to land Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in a blockbuster deal immediately after the game.
While both receivers have been some level of productive this season, the reality is that they will presumably be pushed down on the priority list with Harrison's arrival to Houston. It's especially disappointing for Boutte in my opinion, after he was traded for just this offseason in hopes of him being a replacement option for second-year pass catcher Jayden Higgins.
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