If anyone has watched the NFL for even a year, there's a good chance they've heard any number of Sunday afternoon clichés used by coaching staffs to explain how their team just blew a big game in unlikely fashion to a team they underestimated:

• "They're better than their record says!"
• "We have to play a full 60 minutes"
• "The other team just wanted it more"
• "It's an 'Any given Sunday' kind of league

These attempts to coerce media and fanbases to accept these situations as extenuating circumstances are known in the professional sports lexicon as "Trap games."

In the NFL, trap games can and do happen on a weekly basis, causing at least half of America to either furiously post their frustrations on their favorite social media app or be caught on camera destroying a television screen. Regardless, these kinds of upsets are why people enjoy the NFL and sports as a whole so much. 

Unless of course your team is on the receiving end of the unexpected loss. Then, all of a sudden the perception of the rest of the season is flipped on its head. The Browns (2-7), Panthers (5-5), Bills (6-3) and yes, even the Jaguars (5-4) suffered head scratching defeats this past Sunday at the hands of opponents who otherwise should've been tune-up games in preparation for larger conquests down the line. 

Multiple Pitfalls On Sunday

While the Jets (2-7), Saints (2-8), Dolphins (3-7) and Texans (4-5) are groups of professionals who are paid to win football games, they were a combined 7-27 (.206) prior to defeating their aforementioned opponents this past weekend. That means, about roughly 30% of the 14 contests completed on Sunday were won by teams that were penciled in to be easy victories. 

This is where the Texans need to be hyper vigilant. While emotions have been running high since backup quarterback Davis Mills ran the Texans to victory with 30 seconds left against the Jaguars, they could still be vulnerable to a devastating loss against the Titans if they're not careful. 

Even though Tennessee is 1-8, in line for the #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft and are ranked near/at the bottom of the league in multiple offensive and defensive statistical categories, it's still a divisional matchup between two teams with a storied history. 

A Much Needed Rest

Houston may be the better team on paper right now, but it's still the NFL and crazier things have happened. The Texans absolutely need this game, as improving to 5-5 completely resets their season as they embark on a final seven game stretch to salvage a potential third playoff berth in as many seasons under head coach Demeco Ryans' stewardship. 

While the Bills are on the horizon for a trip to NRG Stadium next Thursday night, all the focus should be on capitalizing on new opportunities and handing the Titans their ninth loss on the season. 

On the topic, according to DraftKings, Houston is also favored by 7.5-points (-110) against Tennessee with over/under total of 39.5. 

With so many things going the Texans' way leading up to Sunday, are they in danger of a misstep against the Titans? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below or on the official Texans Roundtable X account (@Texans_RTB)