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Worrisome Titans Venture to Winless Texans In Week 4

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The battle between these two eternal AFC South rivals rages on this week as the winless Texans host the worrisome Titans in Week 4. These two teams did not get off to the starts that they were looking for in 2025 and need a win desperately. Can the reigning AFC South champion Texans receive their “get right” game against the hopeless and feckless Titans? Tennessee lost another decisive contest against the Colts last Sunday afternoon.

Worrisome Titans Venture To Winless Texans In Week 4

Texans Offense vs. Titans Defense

OL vs. DL Matchups To Watch

The Texans’ offensive line underwent a renovation, much like the Titans, but the results are similar, which isn’t a good thing. First round left tackle Aireontae Ersery beat out veteran Cam Robinson for the top job protecting quarterback CJ Stroud. Houston made a slew of changes along the line, replacing four starters with only right tackle Tytus Howard returning. According to PFF metrics, the left side is suboptimal, with overall scores below 50. Maligned veteran right guard Ed Ingram leads the line with a 75.6 overall offense score, shockingly. If the Titans’ front can’t get their bearings against this motley crew of veterans and youngsters, the game will be over quickly.

Tennessee’s defensive line misses T’Vondre Sweat, who practiced last week but was placed on IR after reinjuring himself. Jeffery Simmons will have to carry the line himself, with Dre’Mont Jones ineffective and Arden Key lost in space. The Titans’ front needs a makeover in the offseason, with castoffs like Shy Tuttle, CJ Ravenell, and James Lynch providing “depth”. For now, the depth will have to suffice. Stroud will likely get plenty of time to find his weapons against a weak secondary.

Skill Positions To Watch

Unfortunately for L’Jarius Sneed, the bear he poked is healthy enough to play on Sunday. Nico Collins is the Texans’ star wide receiver. Veteran Christian Kirk joined the team after spending a couple of uninspiring seasons in Jacksonville. A pair of rookies from Iowa State (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) flanks Kirk and Collins in the passing game. The run game misses Joe Mixon desperately as they rely on injury-prone backup Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks. After the shocking trade of Jarvis Brownlee, Jr, to the Jets, Tennessee will likely start Jalyn Armour-Davis on the outside alongside Sneed. Safety Xavier Woods proved to be an impactful signing, scoring high, while recently extended Amani Hooker has been dismal. Can the Titans’ back line hold up under constant assault by Houston’s top-line weapons?

Titans Offense vs. Texans Defense

Bears offense
Sep 15, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

The Tennessee offense is undergoing a big overhaul after the immense failures of Brian Callahan’s coaching and in-game management. It is hoped that the new playcaller, Bo Hardegree, can help the stagnant offense get started in 2025. Will the new guy rev the lowly Titans offense into high gear against a ferocious Texans defense?

OL vs. DL Matchups To Watch

Houston features two of the most terrifying pass rushers in the NFL, with Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, Jr, roaming the perimeter. It is a major concern, as Tennessee is trotting out a charcuterie of bad right tackles, alternating between John Ojukwu and Oli Udoh. The pair of Texans EDGEs should have a field day against the moribund Titans tackles.

Houston’s interior defenders are nothing to sneeze at, either, with Sheldon Rankins occupying the middle. Tennessee’s interior blockers have been serviceable when healthy, so it should be a good matchup. Left guard Peter Skoronski’s development is on track, and he’s the best Titans offensive lineman by far. If left tackle Dan Moore, Jr can hold up and provide average play, the Titans could gain some momentum. It remains to be seen if right guard Kevin Zeitler can play due to injury.

Skill Positions To Watch

Houston is projected to miss a key piece of their secondary if Derek Stingley, Jr, cannot practice on Friday. According to reports, he did not practice on either Wednesday or Thursday. Tremon Smith would likely draw the start in his stead if he can’t go on Sunday. The Texans are weirdly one player deep on the depth chart at certain positions in the secondary. They do have good players on the practice squad that they can elevate, such as Jalen Mills and Myles Bryant.

Tennessee counters with emerging rookie Elic Ayomanor and drops expert Calvin Ridley alongside veteran Tyler Lockett. Tony Pollard leads a decimated running back room with only Julius Chestnut backing him up while Tyjae Spears recuperates on IR. Houston’s linebackers are aggressive and athletic, with former Titan Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o leading the way.

The Texans’ secondary also features sophomore standout Kwame Lassiter and the versatile Jalen Pitre. PFF has graded their safeties, MJ Stewart and Calen Bullock, harshly with scores in the 30s. If the Titans can’t take advantage of this, they won’t be effective against any defense.

Odds and Ends

The Titans lead the tightly contested series by a margin of 24-22 over their hated AFC South rivals. These two teams have met ten times since the turn of the decade, with the series split evenly between Tennessee and Houston. The average score between the pair is 25 to 22 in the Texans’ favor. Houston has won four of the past five games in the rivalry, much to Amy Adams Strunk’s displeasure.

Uniforms

Titans

Texans

Referee Referendum

(All data courtesy of nflpenalties.com)

Rogers is part of a trio of seventh-year referees. He has officiated five Tennessee games in the past three seasons and will officiate the Titans again on Sunday. The Rogers crew is a veteran staff, with five of the six members having registered double-digit seasons. Rogers enters his ninth season as an official in the 2025 campaign. However, continuity might be a slight issue with two new faces on the crew. Down Judge Patrick Turner joins from Tra Blake’s crew, while Side Judge David Meslow comes over from Scott Novak’s staff.

Rogers’ staff has officiated in only two contests as a whole crew and has called 31 flags, with 24 accepted penalties. 15 of the 24 were on the home team, so the Texans must be more wary than the Titans.  Tennessee, however, dominates the league in penalties, tying for the league lead with the Saints in just three games. The ill-discipline has cost the Titans dearly at times. Can Brian Callahan right the ship and get his charges more disciplined?

Main Image:  Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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