Even if it’s ugly, a win is still a win.
The Houston Texans‘ defense sacked the Tennessee Titans‘ No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward four times en route to a 26-0 shutout win at NRG Stadium to kickstart a new persona of play in Week 4. Sunday marked the first shutout for the Texans‘ defense since Nov. 29, 2010, when they blanked the Titans 29-0.
C.J. Stroud was rocky to begin the game, but he found his footing in the fourth quarter. Stroud and the offense remained the only unit in the NFL entering Week 4 without a red zone touchdown. He connected twice with rookie running back Woody Marks and wide receiver Jayden Higgins for touchdown passes to take a 19-0 lead with just over seven minutes remaining.
Stroud finished with 233 yards and two touchdowns as the Texans scored three times in the final quarter. With Marks’ 18-yard touchdown run, the Texans matched their TD total in the previous three games combined.
Even after it was just a 6-0 game, the Texans’ defense delivered a performance to be proud of in the fourth quarter. All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who missed practice throughout the week due to injury, picked off Ward following the first touchdown drive to help Houston remain in plus territory.
Stroud connected two plays later with Higgins for a 24-yard touchdown pass to double the lead with just over nine minutes left.
MAKE IT 2️⃣ FOR THE ROOK 😤
📺: @nfloncbs / @paramountpluspic.twitter.com/MAHDH3j7Zu
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) September 28, 2025
Pro Football Focus handed out player grades for those who took a snap in Houston’s win over the Titans and we broke them down by offense and defense. Below are the five highest and lowest grades on the defensive side of the ball after a surprising performance at NRG Stadium.
There were a few surprises in terms of the highest- and lowest-graded players, both on offense and defense. In fact, most of you can already guess who graded out in stellar and horrendous fashion.
Here’s a look at the five best offensive players below: and defense. In fact, most of you can already guess who graded out in stellar and horrendous fashion.
Here’s a look at the five best defensive players below:
Top 5 defense
- DE Danielle Hunter – 81.3
- DL Sheldon Rankins – 75.3
- DB M.J. Stewart – 74.3
- LB Jake Hansen – 73.6
- DL Tim Settle – 73.2
Hunter, who finished with two sacks and eight pressures, posted a season-high 90.0 pass-rushing grade during Sunday’s win.
Bottom 5 defense
- DL Mario Edwrds Jr. -55.2
- DL Foley Fatukasi – 56.3
- LB Christian Harris – 59.2
- DB Calen Bullock – 59.5
- DB Tremon Smith – 60.0
Bullock has been fine in coverage, posting a 63.4 coverage grade, but his 27.9 tackling grade remains such an issue for the Texans in space. Sunday marked the third game out of four appearances where Bullock has graded below 36 in the tackling ratio.
Other notables
- DB Kamari Lassiter – 63.0
- DE Derek Barnett – 63.0
- DE Derek Stingley Jr. – 61.8
- LB Azeez Al-Shaair – 63.6
- DE Will Anderson Jr. – 70.5
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans PFF grades: Top & Bottom defensive players in win vs. Titans
