Texans vs. Titans: C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. Power Houston to First Win in 26-3 Week 5 Rout

The Houston Texans spent the first month of the season inventing creative ways to lose. On Sunday in Nashville, they went back to basics: let C.J. Stroud cook, let Will Anderson Jr. hunt, and let Ka'imi Fairbairn clean up whatever was left. Houston smothered the winless Tennessee Titans 26-3 at Nissan Stadium for its first victory of 2026.

Stroud accounted for two touchdowns, one through the air and one on his feet, Anderson was responsible for three of the four sacks, and the defense held Tennessee to 187 total yards without a touchdown. The Texans are 1-4. The Titans are 0-5, which the AP noted is the franchise's worst start since it dropped the first six games of the 2009 season.

Field Goals First, Then the Hammer

Tennessee actually scored first, driving 58 yards on its opening possession before stalling and settling for Joey Slye's 30-yard field goal. Enjoy it, Titans fans. That was the last time the home team put points on the board.

From there, Houston's defense took over the afternoon. A three-and-out set up Fairbairn's 45-yarder to tie it. Safety Jalen Pitre recovered a Tyjae Spears fumble at the Tennessee 35, which became a 35-yard Fairbairn field goal. Linebacker Jake Hansen then picked off Cam Ward over the middle for the first interception of his career, and Fairbairn converted that one from 26 yards. Another three-and-out, another kick, this time from 53 yards, and Houston took a 12-3 lead into the locker room.

It should have been worse. The Texans had a 24-yard Woody Marks touchdown run erased by a holding penalty in the first quarter and twice settled for field goals inside the Tennessee 20. And this franchise knows exactly how fragile a halftime lead can be: one week earlier, Houston led Dallas 16-6 at the break and lost 34-30.

Not this time. The Texans opened the third quarter with a 17-play, 74-yard march that devoured 8:23. Stroud capped it with a 2-yard keeper for a 19-3 lead, and early in the fourth quarter he found Jaylin Noel for a 9-yard touchdown to make it 26-3. The middle two quarters were a mismatch: 225 yards to 49, and 16 points to none.

Stroud Steers, Anderson Feasts

Stroud was surgical: 26 of 34 for 261 yards, a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and no turnovers. He spread the ball to Xavier Hutchinson, Nico Collins, Noel, Kayshon Boutte and Dalton Schultz and kept Tennessee's pass rush mostly at arm's length.

Anderson, meanwhile, lived in the Tennessee backfield with three sacks, three tackles for loss and three quarterback hits, with all three sacks coming on the Titans' final two drives. According to the Texans, it was the second three-sack regular-season game of his career, and he has now recorded at least a half-sack in all five games this season, something only J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith had done in franchise history. Not a bad debut for DeMeco Ryans, who took over the defensive play-calling this week. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair led everybody with 11 tackles, and Tennessee managed 57 rushing yards on 18 carries. Per the team, Houston has now gone seven straight regular-season games without allowing 90 rushing yards, a franchise record.

Fairbairn deserves a mention too. His four first-half field goals tied the franchise record for most in a half, per the team, and he finished with 14 points.

"We're thankful right now to get our first win," Ryans said. "It's been a long time coming."

The Drive That Killed the Ghosts

The decisive moment came on that third-quarter marathon. Facing third-and-11 from his own 36, Stroud slipped away from All-Pro Jeffery Simmons and fired to Boutte, who tapped both feet on the sideline for a 23-yard gain. It was the kind of play that separates a team that collapses from one that closes.

The drive lasted so long that Tennessee's defense should have been offered a loyalty card. Per the team, its 17 plays were the most on a Texans touchdown drive since Oct. 29, 2023. By the time Stroud trotted in, the scoreboard read 19-3, and Tennessee's most productive player was arguably kick returner Chimere Dike, who piled up 147 return yards.

Nashville by the Numbers

• 187: Tennessee's total yards, a season low, per the AP.
• 225-49: Houston's yardage edge across the second and third quarters.
• 4 for 4: Fairbairn's field goals, all before halftime.
• 11 for 95: Houston's penalties, a sloppy streak in an otherwise clean day.
• 25-24: Houston's new all-time series lead over Tennessee, the first time in franchise history it has led the series, according to the team, after a fourth straight win in the matchup.

Houston Finally Exhales, Tennessee Keeps Sinking

The AP noted this is the second straight season Houston ended a winless start by beating Tennessee, and the timing could not be better. Ryans announced after the game that Stroud is being reunited with his Ohio State teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. after a trade with Arizona, and the quarterback sounded like a guy who just got his favorite playlist back.

"I loved him in college," Stroud said. "He's probably the hardest worker I've ever been around in my life."

The win was not free. Running back David Montgomery left with a groin injury in the second quarter, and Ryans warned he may miss some time. Next up is a trip to London to face the Jaguars.

For Tennessee, the hole keeps deepening. Cam Ward finished 23 of 36 for 170 yards with an interception and took four sacks. The Titans have lost 11 straight AFC South games and six straight overall dating to last season, per the AP, and first-year coach Robert Saleh is still waiting for his first win in Tennessee as the Titans head to Indianapolis next.

"We've got a lot of work to do," Saleh said. "One game is not going to define us." He added: "This organization and team will have its day in the sun."

Fresh Starts

Stroud summed up the Harrison reunion in a way that doubles as Houston's season mission statement.

"I think fresh starts are good," Stroud said.

At 1-4, the Texans just got theirs.

Stats from the official box score via ESPN. Postgame quotes as reported by the Associated Press, with additional notes from HoustonTexans.com.