Week 5
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
October 11, 2026
Nissan Stadium
AFC South Rivalry
Texans–Titans
Houston football's family feud
The Texans-Titans rivalry carries unusual emotional weight because the Titans franchise began as the Houston Oilers before relocating to Tennessee. It is a twice-yearly AFC South meeting between Houston's current team and the successor to the team it lost.
The Rivalry
The Titans played as the Houston Oilers from 1960 through 1996, then moved to Tennessee and rebranded as the Titans in 1999. When Houston received a new franchise in 2002, the NFL placed the Texans and Titans together in the AFC South, creating a charged dynamic: a city's new team facing the heir to its departed one twice a season. Tennessee held the upper hand through the 2000s while Houston was establishing itself, but the Texans gained ground in the 2010s as they emerged as a division contender. The series has produced lopsided blowouts and wild shootouts alike, and the all-time record has stayed tightly balanced. The rivalry runs hot because of the Oilers history and disputes over that franchise's heritage.
What's at Stake
As fixed AFC South opponents, Houston and Tennessee play twice each regular season, and those games regularly influence the division title and playoff seeding. Beyond the standings, the matchup carries the lingering history of the Oilers' departure from Houston, lending it a grievance other division games lack. For older Houston fans the Titans represent the team that got away.
Famous Moments
- 2010 — Houston won 20-0 in a game remembered for a sideline altercation between Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan.
- 2017 — Houston posted its largest win in the series, 57-14, setting a franchise scoring record.
- 2019 — Tennessee beat Houston 35-14 to clinch a playoff berth.
- 2020 — The teams played back-to-back overtime thrillers, with Tennessee winning 42-36 and 41-38.
The Texans–Titans Games in 2026
The Two Teams
Plan the Trip
This AFC South trip pairs two great American destinations. Houston plays at NRG Stadium, a retractable-roof venue, while Tennessee hosts at Nissan Stadium along the Cumberland River in Nashville. A Texans-Titans game offers a rivalry steeped in the Oilers' history, a passionate division crowd, and the chance to combine football with Nashville's music scene or Houston's dining.
Frequently Asked Questions: Texans–Titans
The two teams first met in 2002. The Texans-Titans rivalry carries unusual emotional weight because the Titans franchise began as the Houston Oilers before relocating to Tennessee. It is a twice-yearly AFC South meeting between Houston's current team and the successor to the team it lost.
As fixed AFC South opponents, Houston and Tennessee play twice each regular season, and those games regularly influence the division title and playoff seeding. Beyond the standings, the matchup carries the lingering history of the Oilers' departure from Houston, lending it a grievance other division games lack. For older Houston fans the Titans represent the team that got away.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Houston Texans host at NRG Stadium in Houston; Tennessee Titans play at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
