Texans vs Tennessee Titans Match Player Stats
The texans vs tennessee titans match player stats from September 28, 2025 tell the story of a one-sided AFC South battle. Houston defeated Tennessee 26-0 at NRG Stadium, combining efficient quarterback play, a balanced rushing attack, and a defense that completely shut down the Titans offense. One important correction before diving into the numbers: this game was officially Week 4, not Week 5. The NFL schedule lists Tennessee at 0-4 and Houston at 1-3 after the September 28 meeting. (NFL)
The final score alone makes the game look straightforward, but the underlying numbers explain why Tennessee struggled to generate momentum and why Houston was able to pull away late. C.J. Stroud completed 22 of 28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns, while Houston’s defense recorded two sacks and an interception. Tennessee managed only 108 passing yards and 82 rushing yards, finishing the game without a touchdown or field goal.
Texans vs Tennessee Titans Match Player Stats
The most useful way to understand this game is to look beyond the scoreboard and compare how individual performances affected the flow of the contest.
| Category | Tennessee Titans | Houston Texans |
| Final Score | 0 | 26 |
| Passing Yards | 108 | 233 |
| Rushing Yards | 82 | 129 |
| Total Offensive Yards | 190 | 362 |
| Passing TDs | 0 | 2 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Sacks Recorded | 2 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 21:39 | 38:21 |
| Team Fumbles | 0 | 0 |
The overall offensive yardage gap was enormous. Houston produced 362 yards compared with 190 for Tennessee. That 172-yard advantage was not created by one isolated play. It came from sustained possession, better quarterback efficiency, and a much more productive second half.
The NFL’s official game summary confirms the 26-0 result at NRG Stadium and notes that Tennessee was shut out for the first time since 2019. (NFL Clubs)
Game Overview and Score Breakdown
Houston did not immediately run away with the game.
The Texans led only 3-0 after the first quarter and 6-0 at halftime. That matters because the final 26-0 margin can make it seem as though Houston dominated every minute from the opening kickoff.
Instead, the game developed in stages.
First Quarter: Houston Takes the Lead
The Titans opened the game with a promising possession. Cam Ward connected with Elic Ayomanor on a 33-yard completion, moving Tennessee deep into Houston territory.
The drive eventually stalled, however, and Joey Slye missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt.
Houston responded with an 11-play drive covering 40 yards. Ka’imi Fairbairn converted the field goal to give the Texans their first three points.
That opening sequence established an important pattern. Tennessee could move the ball occasionally, but Houston’s defense repeatedly prevented those promising moments from turning into points.
Second Quarter: Texans Extend the Advantage
Fairbairn added another field goal in the second quarter, moving Houston ahead 6-0.
The Texans still had not scored a touchdown, but they were controlling possession and limiting Tennessee’s opportunities.
Houston entered halftime with a six-point advantage. Tennessee’s defense had done enough to keep the game within reach, but the Titans offense had no scoring response.
Third Quarter: Defense Controls the Game
The third quarter remained scoreless.
This was arguably the most revealing part of the game because neither team was producing much offensively, yet Houston continued to hold the advantage.
The Texans’ defense did not need to create constant sacks or turnovers. It simply prevented Tennessee from sustaining enough successful plays to reach scoring range.
Fourth Quarter: Houston Finishes Strong
The game changed dramatically in the fourth quarter.
Houston scored 20 points in the final period, turning a 6-0 defensive battle into a 26-0 shutout.
That fourth-quarter explosion included touchdown production, continued defensive pressure, and another interception. The Texans had spent three quarters establishing control and then converted that control into a decisive result.
The official NFL game summary shows Houston holding the ball for 38:21 compared with 21:39 for Tennessee. (NFL)
C.J. Stroud’s Passing Performance
C.J. Stroud was the most efficient offensive player in the game.
His final passing line was:
- 22 completions
- 28 attempts
- 233 passing yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 125.1 passer rating
A completion rate of 78.6% shows how efficiently Stroud operated the Houston passing game.
More importantly, he avoided the type of mistake that could have allowed Tennessee back into the contest. Houston did not need Stroud to throw 40 or 45 times. He made the throws required to sustain drives while protecting the football.
The 125.1 rating is particularly notable when compared with Cam Ward’s 35.4 rating.
That does not mean quarterback performance alone explains the entire game. Protection, play calling, receiver separation, rushing efficiency, and field position all matter. Still, the quarterback contrast was one of the clearest statistical differences between the teams.
Stroud’s two touchdown passes also became increasingly important as Houston reached the fourth quarter.
Why Stroud’s Efficiency Mattered
The key word is efficiency.
Houston’s offense averaged more than 10 yards per completed pass attempt in the game, and Stroud completed 22 of his 28 throws.
That combination allowed Houston to move the chains without exposing itself to unnecessary turnover risk.
For a team that entered the game at 0-3, this was exactly the type of quarterback performance needed to stabilize an offense.
Cam Ward’s Difficult Afternoon
Cam Ward completed 10 of 26 passes for 108 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.
His passer rating was 35.4.
Those numbers show how difficult it was for Tennessee to maintain offensive rhythm.
Ward’s 108 passing yards were less than half of Stroud’s total despite both quarterbacks playing the same game.
The challenge was not simply completion percentage. Tennessee also struggled to create explosive and sustained passing production after the early 33-yard connection with Ayomanor.
Ward finished with:
- 10 completions
- 26 attempts
- 108 yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 35.4 passer rating
The interception became particularly damaging because Houston was already controlling the game and had a defense capable of turning short fields into points.
Ward was not helped by Tennessee’s overall offensive limitations. With only 82 rushing yards as a team, the Titans could not consistently force Houston to respect a strong ground game.
Tony Pollard Leads Tennessee’s Rushing Attack
Tony Pollard was Tennessee’s leading rusher.
He finished with:
- 14 carries
- 64 yards
- 4.6 yards per carry
- 0 touchdowns
- 21-yard long
Pollard’s 4.6-yard average was actually respectable.
That is an important detail because a 26-0 loss can make every offensive statistic look poor. Pollard was able to produce useful yardage when given opportunities.
The bigger problem was volume and game context.
Tennessee had only 18 total rushing attempts for 82 yards. Pollard accounted for 14 of those attempts and 64 yards.
That means the Titans’ running game was heavily concentrated around one player while failing to become a complete offensive solution.
Even when Pollard generated positive yardage, Tennessee still struggled to convert those gains into scoring drives.
Woody Marks Provides Houston’s Ground Support
Houston’s leading rusher was Woody Marks.
His statistics were:
- 17 carries
- 69 yards
- 4.1 yards per carry
- 1 touchdown
- 18-yard long
Marks did not need to dominate the rushing efficiency chart.
His value came from workload and scoring impact.
Houston ran the ball 35 times for 129 yards, more than twice as many rushing attempts as Tennessee. That workload helped Houston control the clock and keep pressure away from its quarterback.
The 129 rushing yards also meant Tennessee could not focus entirely on defending Stroud.
That balance became increasingly valuable as the game moved toward the fourth quarter.
Nico Collins Leads the Receiving Numbers
Nico Collins was Houston’s leading receiver.
He recorded:
- 4 receptions
- 79 yards
- 19.8 yards per reception
- 37-yard long
- 0 touchdowns
Collins’ average of 19.8 yards per reception illustrates the explosive element he brought to the offense.
Even without scoring a touchdown, his ability to create chunk plays helped Houston generate meaningful yardage through the air.
The receiving production was also distributed efficiently. Houston finished with 22 receptions for 233 yards and two receiving touchdowns as a team.
That means Stroud did not have to rely on one receiver for every successful play.
Elic Ayomanor Provides Tennessee’s Biggest Receiving Play
Elic Ayomanor led Tennessee’s receiving statistics with:
- 2 receptions
- 44 yards
- 22.0 yards per reception
- 33-yard long
- 0 touchdowns
His first-quarter 33-yard reception was one of Tennessee’s most promising offensive moments.
It helped put the Titans in position to attempt an early field goal.
But the missed kick meant the drive produced no points.
That sequence became symbolic of Tennessee’s day. The Titans occasionally created opportunities, but they could not finish those opportunities with points.
Defensive Player Stats Tell an Even Bigger Story
The offensive numbers are impressive for Houston, but the defense deserves equal attention.
Tennessee was held to zero points and 190 total yards.
Houston recorded:
- 2 sacks
- 1 interception
- 0 points allowed
Danielle Hunter accounted for both Houston sacks.
Derek Stingley Jr. added the interception, returning it 20 yards.
Henry To’oTo’o and Kamari Lassiter each recorded five total tackles for Houston.
On the Tennessee side, Cedric Gray was highly active with 17 total tackles, including 10 solo tackles.
Jeffery Simmons and Arden Key each recorded one sack.
Danielle Hunter’s Two-Sack Performance
Hunter’s two sacks were important because they represented direct disruption against Tennessee’s passing game.
Sacks do more than reduce passing yardage.
They can:
- Put the offense behind schedule.
- Reduce field position.
- Create longer third downs.
- Force quarterbacks into rushed decisions.
- Increase the likelihood of punts or turnovers.
Against an offense that was already struggling to create points, those disruptions became especially valuable.
Derek Stingley Jr.’s Interception
Stingley Jr.’s interception was another major defensive moment.
Tennessee needed to find a way to generate momentum after falling behind.
Instead, the turnover gave Houston another opportunity to maintain control.
When combined with Houston’s pass rush, the interception showed that the Texans defense was winning in multiple ways.
Cedric Gray’s 17 Tackles Were Not Enough
Cedric Gray finished with 17 total tackles, including 10 solo tackles.
On paper, that is an excellent individual defensive total.
But tackle volume can be misleading without context.
A linebacker can record a high number of tackles because the opposing offense is repeatedly reaching the second level.
That appears relevant here.
Houston ran 35 times and completed 22 passes. Tennessee’s defense spent a large amount of the afternoon responding to Houston’s sustained offensive activity.
Gray’s 17 tackles demonstrate that he was involved consistently, but the broader defensive result was still a shutout loss.
The Biggest Statistical Difference: Total Yardage
The most revealing number may be total offense.
Houston:
233 passing + 129 rushing = 362 yards
Tennessee:
108 passing + 82 rushing = 190 yards
That creates a difference of:
172 total yards
Houston produced 90.5% more total yardage than Tennessee.
This is one of the clearest reasons the 26-0 score was deserved.
A shutout can occasionally happen because of turnovers, missed kicks, or unusual red-zone failures. Those factors played a role here, but Houston also created a substantial advantage in sustained offensive production.
Time of Possession Was Another Major Advantage
Houston possessed the ball for 38:21.
Tennessee had possession for only 21:39.
That is a difference of 16 minutes and 42 seconds.
For a defense, that is significant.
Houston’s offense was able to stay on the field while Tennessee’s offense repeatedly left the field without scoring.
The possession advantage also helped explain why Houston was able to run 35 times.
The Texans were not simply throwing the ball and hoping for big plays. They were controlling the game with a combination of passing efficiency and rushing volume.
Third-Down and Drive Efficiency
The game also demonstrates why drive quality matters more than isolated plays.
Tennessee had multiple drives that showed early promise but failed to finish.
The opening possession reached the Houston 23-yard line before Slye missed the field goal.
Later possessions ended with punts, a turnover on downs, or an interception.
Houston’s drives were more productive.
The official drive chart shows Houston possessing the ball for more than 38 minutes and constructing several sustained drives. (NFL)
That sustained pressure eventually produced the fourth-quarter scoring surge.
Special Teams Played a Role
Special teams did not decide the entire game, but the numbers show another advantage for Houston.
Ka’imi Fairbairn
Fairbairn finished with:
- 2 field goals made
- 3 field-goal attempts
- 2 extra points made
- 8 total points
His two successful field goals were critical during the first half.
Houston had not yet reached the end zone, but Fairbairn ensured those possessions were not wasted.
Joey Slye
Slye finished:
- 0 of 2 on field goals
- 0 points
The missed 41-yard field goal early in the game was particularly damaging because Tennessee had already driven deep into Houston territory.
Later, another missed field-goal opportunity further reduced Tennessee’s scoring chances.
Return Game
Chimere Dike recorded six kick returns for 141 yards, averaging 23.5 yards per return with a long of 29 yards.
For Houston, Tremon Smith had one kick return for 26 yards, while Jaylin Noel recorded three punt returns for 15 yards.
Dike’s return production gave Tennessee respectable starting-field-position opportunities, but the offense could not convert those opportunities into points.
What the Box Score Does Not Tell You
One of the most useful lessons from these texans vs tennessee titans match player stats is that individual numbers should always be placed inside the game context.
Consider Pollard’s 4.6 rushing average.
That is not a disastrous number.
Consider Gray’s 17 tackles.
That is a strong individual defensive workload.
Consider Ayomanor’s 22.0 yards per reception.
That is an impressive explosive-play average.
Yet Tennessee still lost 26-0.
Why?
Because football is not decided by isolated statistics.
Houston won the combination of:
- Quarterback efficiency
- Total offensive production
- Time of possession
- Defensive pressure
- Turnover margin
- Scoring efficiency
- Second-half execution
The Titans had individual performances worth noting, but they did not combine those performances into sustained team production.
Houston’s Offensive Formula Worked
Houston’s offensive approach was relatively balanced.
The Texans threw for 233 yards and ran for 129 yards.
That balance created several advantages.
1. Tennessee Could Not Sell Out Against the Pass
Because Houston ran the ball 35 times, Tennessee had to account for the ground game.
That opened opportunities for Stroud and his receivers.
2. The Running Game Protected the Lead
Once Houston moved ahead, rushing attempts became even more valuable.
Running the football keeps the clock moving and reduces the number of possessions available to the trailing team.
3. Stroud Did Not Need Excessive Volume
Stroud attempted only 28 passes.
He completed 22.
That is efficient quarterbacking rather than volume-driven production.
Why Tennessee’s Offense Could Not Recover
The Titans faced several problems simultaneously.
Limited Passing Production
Tennessee managed only 108 passing yards.
That placed enormous pressure on the running game.
No Passing Touchdowns
Without a passing touchdown, Tennessee needed either rushing scores or special-teams production to stay competitive.
Neither materialized.
Missed Field Goals
Slye missed both field-goal attempts.
Those were lost scoring opportunities.
One Interception
The interception further limited Tennessee’s ability to create a comeback.
Only 82 Rushing Yards
Pollard was productive individually, but Tennessee’s team rushing total was not enough to control the game.
The result was an offense that could move the ball in small stretches but could not finish drives.
Texans vs Tennessee Titans Match Player Stats: Who Had the Biggest Impact?
If the question is which players most influenced the final result, several names stand out.
C.J. Stroud
Stroud was the offensive difference-maker.
His 22-of-28 passing performance, 233 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions gave Houston reliable offensive efficiency.
Danielle Hunter
Hunter’s two sacks helped disrupt Tennessee’s passing game.
Derek Stingley Jr.
His interception provided a major defensive turnover.
Woody Marks
Marks contributed 69 rushing yards and a touchdown while Houston leaned heavily on the ground game.
Nico Collins
Collins generated 79 receiving yards and averaged 19.8 yards per catch.
Cedric Gray
Gray’s 17 tackles showed how active Tennessee’s defense was, even during a difficult overall performance.
Tony Pollard
Pollard’s 64 rushing yards at 4.6 yards per carry were among Tennessee’s better offensive statistics.
A Deeper Look at the 26-0 Shutout
A shutout is always a team achievement.
It is tempting to credit the defense alone, but Houston’s offense played an important part.
By holding the ball for 38:21, the Texans limited the number of possessions available to Tennessee.
That matters because every possession is an opportunity to score.
Houston also forced Tennessee to operate from difficult situations.
Once Tennessee fell behind, the Titans needed to throw more often. That increased the importance of Houston’s pass rush and secondary.
The game therefore became self-reinforcing:
Houston offense moves the ball → Houston controls the clock → Tennessee receives fewer possessions → Tennessee falls behind → Tennessee becomes more pass-dependent → Houston’s defense applies pressure → Houston gets more opportunities to score.
That is the broader tactical story behind the final score.
What These Player Stats Mean for Evaluating Future Games
The numbers from this matchup provide a useful framework for evaluating future Texans and Titans performances.
When studying a box score, do not look only at passing yards or touchdowns.
Instead, examine:
- Completion efficiency
- Turnover margin
- Rushing volume
- Time of possession
- Total yardage
- Explosive plays
- Sacks and pressure
- Red-zone execution
- Field-goal efficiency
- Starting field position
These measurements help distinguish a genuinely dominant performance from a game decided by a few unusual events.
In Houston’s case, the statistics point toward a comprehensive team performance rather than a fluky result.
Texans vs Tennessee Titans Match Player Stats: Key Takeaways
The biggest lessons from this matchup are straightforward.
Houston Won the Quarterback Battle
Stroud’s 125.1 rating compared with Ward’s 35.4 rating was a massive statistical gap.
Houston Won the Yardage Battle
The Texans gained 362 total yards compared with Tennessee’s 190.
Houston Won the Possession Battle
Houston controlled the football for 38:21.
Houston Won the Turnover Battle
The Texans recorded one interception while throwing none.
Tennessee Lost Scoring Opportunities
Two missed field goals prevented Tennessee from turning promising drives into points.
Houston Finished the Game
The Texans scored 20 fourth-quarter points after leading only 6-0 at halftime.
That ability to finish was arguably the biggest difference between the two teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between the Texans and Titans?
The Houston Texans defeated the Tennessee Titans 26-0 on September 28, 2025, at NRG Stadium.
Who was the leading passer in the game?
C.J. Stroud led all passers with 22 completions on 28 attempts for 233 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
How many yards did Tony Pollard rush for?
Tony Pollard rushed 14 times for 64 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Who led the Texans in receiving?
Nico Collins led Houston with four receptions for 79 yards, averaging 19.8 yards per reception.
Who led Tennessee in tackles?
Cedric Gray recorded 17 total tackles, including 10 solo tackles.
How many points did Tennessee score?
Tennessee was shut out and finished with zero points.
Conclusion
The September 28, 2025 matchup between Houston and Tennessee was much more than a 26-0 scoreline.
Houston controlled the game through efficient quarterback play, a 35-carry rushing attack, superior total yardage, extended possession time, and a defense that prevented Tennessee from converting opportunities into points.
C.J. Stroud delivered the strongest individual offensive performance, while Danielle Hunter and Derek Stingley Jr. made important defensive contributions. Nico Collins provided explosive receiving production, and Woody Marks added balance on the ground.
Tennessee had some positive individual numbers. Tony Pollard averaged 4.6 yards per carry, Elic Ayomanor produced 44 receiving yards on only two catches, and Cedric Gray made 17 tackles. But those performances were not enough to overcome the team’s inability to score.
The most important takeaway from the texans vs tennessee titans match player stats is that Houston won across several interconnected areas. The Texans did not rely on one player or one lucky sequence. They produced 362 total yards, held Tennessee to 190, controlled possession for more than 38 minutes, forced a turnover, and finished with a 20-point fourth quarter.
