texans #nfl #podcast Find the Texans on Tap podcast at your favorite provider: Amazon Music: ...

Sitting at 7-6, the Houston Texans head to Nashville for a critical game against DeAndre Hopkins and the Titans.

The Titans are coming off a big upset victory over the Miami Dolphins, and the Texans are fresh off an embarrassing loss to the New York Jets.

Making matters worse, CJ Stroud is in concussion protocol, which will likely force Davis Mills or Case Keenum to make the start for the Texans.

And let's not forget, WR Nico Collins exited Sunday's game with a calf injury, so his status is also up in the air.

Silver lining

All is not lost if the Texans have to roll with Mills or Keenum this week. Davis Mills and the Texans went to Nashville and won on Christmas Eve last year.

And what typically kills the Texans each time they face the Titans is running back Derrick Henry. He seemingly rushed for 200 yards each time he faced Houston.

But this is a different Texans defense with DeMeco Ryans, they have gone from being one of the worst rush defenses to now one of the best. The Texans are currently the 8th-best rushing defense, allowing an average of 95.62 yards per game on the ground. Last year they were dead last in rushing defense giving up 170.24 yards per game. Now that's improvement.

Behind enemy lines

The Titans are 25th in points scored per game (18.5) and are in the bottom half of the league in practically every offensive category. And that includes rushing yards, so this isn't the Derrick Henry-led Titans team of past seasons.

On defense, Tennessee is in the middle of the pack in most categories. However, they are dead last in interceptions (3). So if the Texans want to take some chances down the field with a backup quarterback, this might be the week to do it.

Some betting sites still don't have this game on the board, as we wait to see if CJ Stroud will play. But others have put out a line, making the Texans 2.5 point road dogs.

Be sure to watch the video above for our early preview of Texans-Titans.

And don't miss Texans on Tap (a Texans podcast) on our SportsMapTexans YouTube channel. Be sure to hit like and subscribe!

texans houston texans titans preview

Most Popular

Astros test new formula with star slugger back in the lineup

Yordan Alvarez is back! Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros open a three-game set Tuesday night against the struggling Colorado Rockies, with Hunter Brown set to take the mound at Daikin Park.

Houston (72-59) enters the matchup atop the AL West despite dropping six of its last 10 games, during which the offense has sputtered to a .204 average and the pitching staff has been tagged for a 5.69 ERA. The Astros will look to steady things at home, where they’ve gone 38-27 this season, and lean on Brown, who has been one of their most consistent arms. The right-hander owns a 10-5 record, a 2.36 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 2025.

Colorado (37-94) comes in losers of four straight and carrying the worst road record in baseball at 16-49. The Rockies have struggled mightily to contain the long ball, going 17-77 in games when allowing at least one home run. Starter Tanner Gordon (4-5, 7.11 ERA) will try to buck that trend in just his 10th appearance of the season.

Yordan Alvarez will make his long-awaited return to the lineup Tuesday, starting in left field for the opener against Colorado. It will be his first game action since May 2 after being sidelined with a hand injury.

Jose Altuve continues to lead the Astros’ offense with 22 home runs and a .456 slugging percentage, while Carlos Correa has been one of Houston’s most reliable bats of late, collecting 13 hits in his last 39 at-bats. On the Rockies’ side, Hunter Goodman has piled up 52 extra-base hits this season, and Brenton Doyle enters the series swinging a hot bat with 15 hits and 11 RBIs over his past 10 games.

The matchup is the fourth meeting between the two clubs this year, with Houston heavily favored to pick up another win as it looks to build momentum in the stretch run.

Betting odds

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -341, Rockies +270; over/under is 8 runs

Roster moves

RHP Shawn Dubin has been claimed by the Orioles.

pic.twitter.com/Mte5EPYUCq
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 26, 2025

Starting lineup

What stands out? With Yordan back in the lineup, manager Joe Espada has decided to deploy him in the cleanup spot, leaving the Top 3 of Pena, Correa, and Altuve (DH) unchanged.

A surprising twist

However, Alvarez playing left field is not something we were expecting.

Image via: MLB.com/Screenshot.

With Yordan hitting fourth, Christian Waker slides back to the five spot, followed by Jesus Sanchez (RF), Victor Caratini (C), Mauricio Dubon (2B), and Jacob Melton (CF).

Interesting to see Yainer Diaz with the night off. He was hit in the wrist by a pitch from Craig Kimbrel on Sunday. Perhaps he needed an extra day to recover.

___________________________

^{*ChatGPT assisted.}

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

astros houston astros

Most Popular

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM