NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) CJ Stroud carried the Houston Texans to their first win of the season, then his coach announced the quarterback was reuniting with his former Ohio State teammate after a trade to Arizona.
A very nice Sunday indeed for Stroud and the Texans.
Stroud threw for 261 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score and the Texans ended their winless start to the season by routing the Tennessee Titans 26-3.
After the win, Stroud was excited to be able to work with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. again.
“I loved him in college,” Stroud said. “He’s probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around in my life. And then who he is off the field, he’s a great guy, a quiet guy, but you definitely feel his presence. So, I’m excited to have him come here and have him learn, and have him be around other guys. And I think it’s perfect for him. I think the fresh starts are good.”
This is the second straight season that Houston (1-4) ended a winless streak by beating Tennessee. This time, the Texans forced two turnovers and Will Anderson Jr. had three of Houston’s four sacks, with coach DeMeco Ryans taking over the defensive play this week.
“We’re grateful right now to get our first win,” Ryans said. “It’s been a long time coming. Our guys put in the work, they came out, and the work showed again on game day. We just have to keep this formula. Everybody stay humble, keep working the way we work, and everything will be fine.”
Ka’imi Fairbairn also scored four baskets, giving the Texans a 12-3 halftime lead.
Houston played away in the second and third quarters, outscoring the Titans 225-49 and outscoring them 16-0. The Texans held Tennessee to a season-low total of 187 yards.
The Titans (0-5) have now lost 11 straight in the AFC South and six straight since the end of last season. This is the worst start to the season for this franchise since losing the first six games in 2009.
“We have a lot of work to do,” first-year coach Robert Saleh said. “One game is not going to define us. We’re going to keep working. We’re going to keep finding ways to get better. This organization and this team will have their day in the sun.”
Tennessee only led after opening the scoring with a 30-yard field goal by Joey Slye. Cam Ward completed his throw for 170 yards.
Then the Texans forced the Titans into a three-pointer, safety Jalen Pitre recovering a Tyjae Spears fumble on Tennessee’s next drive. Jake Hansen picked off Ward’s pass over the middle on the ensuing drive. Houston then forced another three-and-out by the Titans.
Tennessee managed just one sack as Stroud rushed safely to the sideline. The Titans secondary did not yet have safety Amani Hooker in the concussion protocol, and injuries mounted quickly after kickoff. Safety Kevin Winston Jr. will have an MRI for the strained quadriceps muscle that sidelined him, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott suffered a chest injury and Tony Adams returned after passing a concussion evaluation.
Stroud picked the Titans apart, and only the Texans’ inability to convert twice inside the Tennessee 20 in the first half kept the final score from being worse. Houston also had to settle for field goals of 35 and 26 yards from Fairbairn after turnovers.
Houston put the game away in the third quarter with a 17-play drive in 8 minutes, 23 seconds. Stroud kept the drive alive on third-and-11 eluding All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons to find Kayshon Boutte for a tiptoe catch down the sideline for 23 yards. Stroud finished the drive with a 2-yard keeper for a 19-3 lead.
Stroud added a 9-yard TD pass to Jaylin Noel to start the fourth quarter.
Houston was injured several times, racking up 11 penalties for 95 yards. The Titans didn’t take a penalty until 2:49 left in the third quarter and finished with seven for 83 yards.
Texans running back David Montgomery suffered a groin injury in the second quarter and did not return. He had just five carries for 11 yards, and Ryans said Montgomery could miss some time. Pitre injured his shoulder late and will have to undergo further tests.
Flott did not return after injuring his chest. The injury occurred when teammate Isaiah Oliver, promoted from the practice squad, hit Flott and Texans tight end Dalton Schultz on a tipped pass in the end zone.
The Texans face the Jaguars in London on Sunday.
The Titans visit Indianapolis on Sunday.
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