The Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans aren’t playing for playoff positioning anymore, but both franchises are using these final weeks to evaluate the roster heading into 2026. Ironically, that has made this matchup a sneaky-useful one for fantasy managers, especially in deeper leagues, 2-QB formats, or managers navigating the late-season bye chaos.
AFC South Showdown Featuring Emerging Playmakers
Several unexpected names have stepped up over the last few weeks, and this matchup has enough soft spots on defense to keep things fantasy-relevant.
Quick Start Meter Table
| Player | Team | Fantasy Meter | Start/Sit |
| Davis Mills | HOU | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Start |
| Nico Collins | HOU | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Start |
| Woody Marks | HOU | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | 💪 Flex |
| Jayden Higgins | HOU | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | 💪 Flex |
| Dalton Schultz | HOU | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Start / 💪 Flex |
| Chinese Dike | TEN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Flex |
| Tony Pollard | TEN | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | 💪 Flex |
| Tyjae Spears | TEN | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | 💪 Flex |
| Cam Ward | TEN | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Sleeper |
| Titans D/ST | TEN | ⭐☆☆☆☆ | Sit |
Matchup Breakdown
Houston Texans Outlook
The Texans are quietly building momentum despite the record, and a lot of that comes from competent QB play and the emergence of young weapons. Tennessee’s defense has struggled to stop the pass and has been inconsistent against dual-backfield, giving Houston several exploitable matchups.
⭐ Starts
Davis Mills — QB, Texans
Mills has looked sharp two weeks in a row against quality defenses, and that’s exactly why he’s become a viable 2-QB or superflex starter this week. The volume is there, the confidence is there, and the Titans have allowed chunk plays in every game for the last month.
Start with confidence in multi-QB formats.
Nico Collins — WR, Texans
Collins remains matchup-proof and QB-proof. Whether it’s Stroud, Mills, or anyone else under center, Collins produces. Against a Titans secondary that’s been vulnerable to outside receivers, Collins is the premier fantasy option in this matchup.
Lock-and-load WR1 potential this week.
💪 Flex / Upside Plays
Woody Marks — RB, Texans
It feels like Houston wants Marks to seize this backfield. The touches are trending his way, and while he still splits with Nick Chubb, Marks has the more dynamic profile right now.
He’s the preferred flex play in deeper leagues.
Jayden Higgins catches a laser from Davis Mills for a TD – Houstontexans.com
Jayden Higgins — WR, Texans
The rookie is trending up quickly. His snap share and targets continue rising, and he’s showing great chemistry with Mills. In deep leagues, Higgins is a great upside flex.
Solid upside with 5-7 target potential.
Dalton Schultz — TE, Texans
The Schultz-Mills connection has been impressive, highlighted by 100+ yards last week. Tight end has been brutal this season, making Schultz a strong start in standard leagues and a priority flex in deeper formats.
He’s one of the best TE options in this entire matchup.
Tennessee Titans Outlook
The Titans are looking for answers on offense, and oddly enough, the passing game showed life last week. Cam Ward may not be a full-time fantasy starter yet, but he’s at least making the Titans’ weapons worth exploring.
🟦 Flex Options
Chimere Dike — WR, Titans
Dike has strung together two solid weeks and is earning real trust in the offense. With Ward throwing for 250+ yards last week, Dike is a legit flex in PPR formats.
Sneaky-solid floor this week.
Tony Pollard / Tyjae Spears — RBs, Titans
This is a true timeshare, frustrating for fantasy managers, but at least both are being used in the passing game. The Titans script usually keeps both involved, but guessing the scorer is a gamble.
Flex either if needed… but expect 10–12 touches each.
🌙 Sleeper Play
Cam Ward — QB, Titans
Ward is widely available and finally showed some life last week with 250+ yards and a score. The Texans’ defense can be attacked deep, and Ward’s mobility gives him a sneaky floor.
He’s a great bye-week fill-in or 2-QB start.
❌ Sit
Titans D/ST
Even with the Texans not being projected to drop 28–30 points, Tennessee’s defense simply gives up too many explosive plays.
Bench for the rest of the year unless the matchup is elite.
Final Word
This game may not matter in the standings, but for fantasy managers hunting for late-season gems, Texans vs. Titans offers real value. Mills, Collins, Schultz, and multiple flex-level players make this one far more fantasy-relevant than the records suggest.
