I feel like I’ve typed the term “uncharted territory” more times in the last week than I’ve typed my own name. This is what happens when your head coach, who was a rising star over the last few years, has steered your NFL franchise into an 0-4 ditch for the first time in his career. 0-2, he had done. 0-3, sure, that too! 0-4? NEW TERRITORY!
If you’re looking for some perspective on 0-4 in recent history, since the playoffs expanded in the 2020 season to seven teams per conference, none of the 13 teams who have started 0-4 have made the playoffs. Since 2021, when the schedule expanded to 17 games, none of the nine teams who started 0-4 have finished with as many as eight wins.
Again, 0-4 is uncharted territory for DeMeco Ryans, and GM Nick Caserio, for that matter, who was brought in back in 2021 to clean up the mess from the head coach and GM (same person, Bill O’Brien) who last went 0-4 to start a season.
There are five 0-4 teams still hunched over the toilet, vomiting away their 2026 season. The Texans and Tennessee Titans are two of those teams, and they face off in Nashville on Sunday. The highly resistible force meets the quite movable object! Here are four things to watch for on a Sunday where, barring a tie, one of these teams gets their first win of the season. Here are four things to watch for:
**4\. Don’t let Simmons play Dexter**
It’s no secret that the Texans’ offensive line, for the umpteenth straight year has been a problem. After an offseason of using draft capital and salary cap space in free agency to attempt to shore up the middle of the line, the Texans still can’t run the football. Compounding the issue is a murderer’s row of defensive tackles they’ve been facing, highlighted by Dexter Lawrence’s ruining the Texans in Week 2. The Titans’ best player is defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. If there is one player who can wreck this game for the Texans’ offense, it’s Simmons, who has a history of dominating the Texans’ offensive line.
**3\. FOCUS!**
The Texans had numerous communication and coverage breakdowns last week against the Cowboys, and the end result was a career day for CeeDee Lamb, who had 17 catches for 189 yards and the game winning touchdown (which featured, inexcusably, Jalen Pitre manned up with Lamb). The issues were so bad that DeMeco Ryans took back play calling duties from defensive coordinator Matt Burke. Ryans explained it on Wednesday, saying if it’s a problem and he needs to fix it, then he wants to be hands on in doing so. The Titans don’t have the weapons the Cowboys do, but the last thing the Texans need to do is make it as easy for the Titans wide receivers as they did for Lamb, and the only way that happens is with a total breakdown in focus.
**2\. Sport more Woody**
The Texans are averaging under three yards per carry from the running back position, which is not sustainable if their goal is to work their way back into relevance. They traded for David Montgomery this past offseason to take over the role of lead running back and create a complementary role for last year’s rookie starter, Woody Marks. Thus far, though, Marks looks like the back with more speed and more juice. Marks is also a better pass catcher. At this point, in a season where Ryans probably envisioned a 60-40 split in carries in favor of Montgomery, the Texans should probably flip that number around in favor of Marks. Start doing it this Sunday.
**1\. Torture Cam Ward**
Thus far, the Texans’ defense has been a major disappointment, ranking 26th in points allowed and allowing explosive plays at an alarming rate. The sad part is that their focus in the off season was preventing explosive plays, and they’re allowing far more now than they did a year ago. One part that’s clicking, though, is the defensive line play, particularly Will Anderson, who’s the current betting favorite for Defensive Player of the Year. Cam Ward is really struggling as a second year passer, so this would be a good Sunday for the Texans to have a sack party and force a few more turnovers. Making Ward’s life miserable must be a priority.
**SPREAD: Texans -7.5**
**PREDICTION: Texans 20, Titans 13**
**MY** **SEASON RECORD: 1-3 SU, 1-3 AT**