Stroud powers Texans past Titans 26-3

Stroud’s two touchdowns seal it

C.J. Stroud’s 2-yard touchdown run in the third quarter gave Houston the separation it needed, and the quarterback later threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jaylin Noel as the Texans defeated the Tennessee Titans 26-3 on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, at Nissan Stadium.

Stroud completed 26 of 34 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown. He also provided Houston’s first touchdown of the game on the third-quarter scoring drive. Noel’s fourth-quarter touchdown reception extended the Texans’ lead to 23 points.

Field goals build Houston’s lead

The game’s first points came from Tennessee’s Joey Slye, who made a 30-yard field goal in the opening period. Houston answered with a 45-yard field goal by Ka’imi Fairbairn to make it 3-3 after the first quarter.

Fairbairn added field goals from 35, 26 and 53 yards in the second quarter. Houston led 12-3 at halftime, with the Texans holding Tennessee scoreless during the period.

Houston added seven points in each of the final two quarters. The Texans led 19-3 after three quarters before Stroud connected with Noel for the final score in the fourth.

Numbers and records

Woody Marks led Houston’s rushing effort with 15 carries for 62 yards, while Xavier Hutchinson had four receptions for 65 yards. For Tennessee, Tony Pollard rushed 14 times for 52 yards, and Wan’Dale Robinson finished with six receptions for 53 yards.

Titans quarterback Cam Ward completed 23 of 36 passes for 170 yards and had one interception. Tennessee was held to three total points, matching its first-quarter output.

The Titans fell to 0-5, while the Texans moved to 1-4. Attendance at Nissan Stadium was 52,097.

Sources

ESPN