NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans faced a disheartening defeat on Sunday, struggling to find any rhythm against the Houston Texans. With a lackluster performance across both offense and defense, the Titans were unable to put points on the board, marking the first time since 2019 that they have been shut out.

Quarterback Ward’s difficulties were evident as he completed only 10 of 26 passes for a mere 108 yards, coupled with an interception that thwarted any hopes of a comeback. The Titans managed just 10 first downs throughout the contest and struggled mightily on third-down conversions, going just 2-of-11.

The Titans’ kicker, Joey Slye, was put in a challenging position, missing two field goals in the first half that left the team trailing 6-0 at halftime. Both misses felt particularly disheartening as the Titans could not capitalize on their limited opportunities.

On the defensive side, the Titans allowed Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to display impressive accuracy, completing 22 of 28 attempts for 233 yards and two touchdowns. After holding strong for some time, Tennessee’s defense faltered, conceding three touchdowns in the second half and allowing the Texans to outgain the Titans 353 to 175 in total yardage.

Tennessee fell behind early, with Ka’imi Fairbairn putting Houston on the board with a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, which quickly ballooned with additional field goals. As the second half unfolded, the Titans continued to miss opportunities, leading to an eventual 21-point deficit in the final quarter.

Stroud’s connection with running back Woody Marks added another score, and the Titans’ attempts to regroup were dashed when Ward’s interception led to yet another touchdown. The inability to overcome these setbacks underscored a frustrating day for Tennessee.

Reflecting on the game, Coach Brian Callahan expressed disappointment with the overall performance, emphasizing that improvements are needed across the board. “It’s a reflection of all of us not doing anything well enough at this point,” he said. “We haven’t found a way to win a game in a while, and that reflects on all of us.”

With their next matchup against the Arizona Cardinals looming, the Titans will need to regroup quickly to turn the season around. As they face growing challenges, the focus will be on finding a path back to competitiveness amid the season’s obstacles.