Titans Aren’t Taking the Winless Texans Lightly Ahead of Week 5

The Houston Texans enter Week 5 still searching for their first win of the 2026 NFL season, and they may have their best chance ahead of them with the winless Tennessee Titans up next.

Ahead of Sunday's matchup, Titans quarterback Cam Ward and head coach Robert Saleh made it clear that they are not taking the Texans lightly.

Ward spoke with the media about facing the Texans and praised Houston despite not yet winning a game.

“It's going to be an exciting game. They're one of the best 0-4 teams out there in the NFL. They're going to have their hands full when they come play us as well,” Ward said.

Ward clearly understands that Houston is a talented football team, and while they have struggled to find the results they need, their roster has the pieces to make them a difficult opponent

That respect was also evident in Saleh's recent comments regarding Houston, particularly on the defensive side of the football.

“It might be the greatest 0-4 team in the history of football. Their defense is obviously one of the top five units in all of football,” Saleh said.

Saleh's comments highlight a major reason Houston can't be dismissed based on their record alone. The Texans have talent capable of creating problems for opponents, and Tennessee will need to prepare accordingly if they hope to earn their first win of the season.

Recognition from opposing coaches and players won't mean anything if Houston cannot translate their potential into wins. The Texans have reached a point where they need to start delivering results, regardless of how highly other teams view them.

Perhaps DeMeco Ryans taking over defensive play calling will give them the spark they desperately need, but the results will have to speak for themselves.

The same pressure applies to Tennessee. With both teams sitting at 0-4, neither can afford to treat Sunday's game as an ordinary divisional matchup. A win would provide a much-needed breakthrough for both teams, while another loss would extend an increasingly difficult start to the season for two franchises that entered the year with immense promise.

For Houston, Ward and Saleh's comments serve as a reminder that their record has not erased the respect they command around the league. The Texans still have to prove they can get the job done, but the Titans are clearly preparing for a challenge rather than assuming they have an easy win on the horizon.