Titans at Texans in a winless showdown exposes two o-lines under siege and two young QBs under pressure. Stroud faces a 41% pressure rate even with just eight sacks allowed, while Cam Ward deals with Nashville’s shaky protection. Houston’s run identity is missing and penalties plague the offense, but the defense has steadied the ship at times. Stingley’s status looms as secondary depth is tested. Houston sneaks a 20-14 win in a tight affair, hinging on pass rush and leverage in the secondary.

From a fantasy lens, watch how Houston stabilizes its offense and whether Stingley suits up to shore up coverage. Al-Shaair keys the Titans’ run-and-pass spy, while Nico Collins and a returning No. 2 option (Kirk) could lift Houston’s floor. The game gameplans tilt toward short throws and big plays off play-action, with Houston’s defense carrying the weight in the closing minutes.

Derek Stingley Jr. is listed as questionable with an oblique, having not practiced all week as the Texans prepare for the Titans. He’ll test the body before Week 4, leaving a big fantasy-relevance question in Houston’s secondary. If he plays, Houston’s pass defense steadies; if not, Titans receivers could feast behind a weakened secondary. Houston promoted depth players Myles Bryant and D'Angelo Ross to the active roster, while Jimmie Ward is on PUP and C.J. Gardner-Johnson was released. Kickoff noon CT.

Houston’s C.J. Stroud continues to wrestle back toward his rookie form as an unsettled line and rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery struggle to steady Stroud’s mid-season footing. DeMeco Ryans remains steadfast on development, praising Ersery while acknowledging the brutal reality of facing Jeffery Simmons and the Titans’ front. Houston also parted with veteran safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, signaling a broader roster reset as Stroud works through pressure and decision-making to lift the offense.

The piece frames Stroud’s upside against a rookie-laden line, the strategic patience of Ryans, and the added week-to-week test of a defense-heavy slate. Fantasy managers should monitor Ersery’s growth, Stroud’s pocket discipline, and how the Texans’ reshaped defense clues might translate into more consistent passing volume and reduced sack risk as the season progresses.

Houston’s 0-3 start isn’t all on C.J. Stroud. Behind the scenes, Dianna Russini points to a work-in-progress offense—new play caller, changes to the offensive line, and a stalled run game—that’s compounded by a few undisclosed adjustments that could be shaping the early struggles. Stroud remains the focal point, but the culprit is a mix of surrounding factors rather than the quarterback alone. The situation hints at evolving strategies and potential adjustments that could redefine Houston’s ceiling as the season progresses.

With Week 4 against Tennessee looming, the narrative centers on whether Houston can stabilize its operation and unlock Stroud’s talent. If the blocking, protection calls, and run game start clicking, Stroud’s fantasy outlook could rebound quickly. For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: monitor the surrounding offense as closely as the box score—if Caley’s system gains cohesion and the line solidifies, Stroud’s upside remains very real.