The Tennessee Titans face a pressing concern in their rivalry with the Houston Texans, identified as defensive end Derek Barnett, who has consistently excelled against them since joining the Texans in 2023. Despite being drafted in the first round in 2017, Barnett's career didn't take off as expected. However, his performance against the Titans has been remarkable, tallying 16 pressures and five sacks across four encounters, achieving an impressive 84.6 PFF grade in each game.

This rivalry is particularly intense, with both teams having met ten times since 2020, resulting in an even split. The Titans' record against the Texans has waned, losing four of their last five matchups. Barnett's ability to disrupt plays and pressure the quarterback has made him a significant thorn in the Titans' side, raising questions about their defensive strategies moving forward.