Here’s a detailed look at how the Houston Texans find themselves entering Sunday’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans with Davis Mills starting at quarterback in place of C.J. Stroud, what it means for the team, the matchup, and how the scenario developed.
Stroud has been officially ruled out for Week 11 with a concussion he sustained in the Texans’ loss to the Denver Broncos on November 2. He has not practiced since the injury and remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and symptomatic (sensitivity to light and headaches noted)As a result, head coach DeMeco Ryans announced that Mills will start again on Sunday.
Mills actually stepped in last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars and led a dramatic comeback: trailing by 19 points in the fourth quarter, the Texans rallied to a 36-29 victory. Mills completed 27 of 45 passes for 292 yards, threw two touchdowns, one interception, and also ran for a score. That performance gives the team some optimism heading into this game.
Taking a step back, it’s important to note that while Stroud is viewed as the franchise quarterback, Mills has had prior experience as a starter (with the Texans) and is well-versed in the system. According to his career numbers: in his five years with Houston he’s started 26 games in his first two seasons and now will make his 28th start this week. Because of that continuity, the offense doesn’t have to adjust dramatically; they don’t need to run a completely different scheme, which helps reduce the disruption.
From a matchup perspective, this game falls at a somewhat opportune time for Houston. Tennessee is currently one of the weaker teams in the league—they’re at 1-8 entering this week. (Reuters) Meanwhile, Houston’s defense has been strong, leading the league in fewest yards allowed per game and fewest points allowed per game.So the Texans are somewhat aligned in their favor: a backup quarterback filling in, a weaker opponent, and a strong defense anchoring the team.
That being said, there are important caveats. First, Mills’ start is not a guarantee of elite performance just because it’s a “weaker” opponent. The Texans acknowledged after the Jaguars game that Mills himself said he needed a better start, that the offense fell behind early thanks to mistakes (an interception, a bad snap) and had to dig out of a holeAgainst Tennessee, ideally, Mills and the Texans will aim for faster tempo, fewer early errors, and setting the tone from the first drive. A slow start may put more pressure on him and the offense rather than letting them operate from ahead.
Second, the absence of Stroud does change things beyond just the quarterback position. Stroud brings a particular skill-set (mobility, young rising talent, high upside) and the coaching staff built with his presence in mind. Mills is familiar and capable, but there may be subtle differences in how the offense flows, which plays they choose to run, how the defense opponent matches up, and how the team deals with adversity. There’s also the psychological factor: a team missing its designated starter may have to shift some personnel responsibilities, adjustments in game plan, and possibly be more conservative early to ensure they don’t dig themselves too deep.
Third, even though Tennessee appears weak on paper, the NFL often gives us surprises, especially when under-dog teams have less to lose. The Texans must avoid complacency. Mills’ ability to manage the game, avoid turnovers, and allow the running game and defense to carry their share will be key. If he can protect the football, make smart decisions, and feed his play-makers, it sets up Houston to capitalize.
Let’s also consider what this means for the Texans’ bigger picture. At 4-5 after the win over Jacksonville, the Texans are still technically in playoff contention in the AFC South and overall. A win here puts them at key momentum as they move forward into the tougher stretch of schedule. Having Mills perform well stabilizes the quarterback position in the short term and gives the coaching staff options: either he continues to play while Stroud recovers fully, or Stroud returns when healthy and the team doesn’t lose significant rhythm. Keeping a winning culture even with a backup is critical, especially with the injuries mounting (safety Jalen Pitre also ruled out with a concussion, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn out with a quadriceps injury) which means the depth of the roster will be tested. (KPRC)
Let me break down a few more angles worth watching:
Offensive continuity and strategy: With Mills at quarterback, Houston is likely to rely on the structure they already know. Mills, according to coach and offensive coordinator comments, has earned trust in preparation, command, and execution. (KPRC) The expectation is to lean on what worked last week: establishing rhythm, involving play-makers like Nico Collins, avoiding early turnovers, and using the running game and defense to relieve the pressure. Because Stroud’s absence removes a certain dynamic (his scrambling ability, youth, perhaps more aggressive deep shots), the staff may choose to temper risk a bit early, focus on fundamentals, and ensure Mills doesn’t get hamstrung by self-inflicted errors.
Matchup with the Titans defense: Tennessee ranks low overall in defense: allowing low total yards and low points per game by league standards. (CBS Sports) That gives Houston a window: if Mills is sound with the football, the Texans can exploit a vulnerable defense. The key will be Houston not falling behind early and forcing Mills into comeback mode, as that increases risk. If the Texans’ defense does its part and gives the offense favorable field position, Mills can operate with less pressure and the offense can execute without needing heroics.
The psychological and leadership component: Starting under-par expectations as a backup can be challenging. Mills now has the opportunity to show he can lead and manage the game effectively. The coaching staff’s public comments reflect confidence (“continuous command”, “steady”, “first class in every way” per the reporting). (KPRC) For Mills, establishing the first drive, setting the tone in the first quarter, avoiding mistakes and turnovers, and managing the game clock and tempo will enhance his credibility and team confidence. For Houston, the ability to absorb Stroud’s absence without major disruption shows organizational resilience, which is important in a long season.
Context of the AFC South and playoff implications: The Texans are in the AFC South division. With the division schedule and the fact that the Titans are one of their divisional opponents, a win here has extra meaning. It helps with tiebreakers, momentum, and internal belief. Given Stroud’s injury and other absences, the window for Houston to secure wins while stronger teams might be healthier is something to consider — getting this win would alleviate pressure moving toward tougher matchups.
Risks and things to monitor: – Turnovers: Mills must avoid bad throws and interceptions as being behind early will force the Texans into reactive mode. – Protection and schematic adjustments: The offensive line and play-calling must account for Mills’ tendencies and strengths; if other starters are missing or playing hurt, that could affect his comfort. – Tempo and game script: If Mills falls behind the chains or the Texans find themselves trailing, they may need to pass more aggressively, which may expose him to pressure. – Health and stamina: Because Mills hasn’t been the full-time starter for much of the year, his practice reps, rhythm, and chemistry may matter. – Complacency: The Titans’ record is poor, but the Texans cannot treat the game as a foregone conclusion. Preparation must be full. – Special teams/defense burdens: With injuries to key teammates (like Pitre and Fairbairn), some hidden impacts—field position, defensive fatigue, special teams execution—may influence the outcome, which in turn affects Mills and the offense.
What success looks like for Mills and the Texans: If Mills can deliver a clean performance — a completion rate north of 60 percent, solid yardage (perhaps 250-300 yards), two or more touchdowns, minimal turnovers, effective use of the running game, and situational awareness (third-down conversions, red-zone efficiency) — then the Texans should be in a good position to win. For the team, dominating time of possession, getting the defense creating stops or turnovers, and covering the Titans’ weak points in their defensive alignment would hallmark this as a strong outing.
What a struggle would look like: Conversely, if Mills starts slowly, throws interceptions, struggles with timing or pocket presence, or fails to connect with his receivers — then the Texans may find themselves in a similar scenario to last week (having to mount a comeback) or worse. If the defense cannot maintain its standard, or the Titans come out with unexpected energy, then Houston could be in jeopardy en route to a misstep.
Longer-term implications: If Mills performs well, it sends a message that Houston has a capable backup and can absorb a quarterback injury without collapsing. That is significant for roster building, team culture, and front-office decision-making. It also gives the coaching staff confidence in moving forward. On the flip side, if the offense sputters, questions may arise about the depth of the quarterback room, the need for contingency planning, and how smooth the transition will be when Stroud returns (if/when he does). For Stroud’s health, it also underscores the importance of recovery: missing multiple games due to concussion is a concern, and ensuring he returns fully healthy is more critical than an immediate timeline.
In summary: The Texans are in an advantageous spot heading into Sunday’s game with Davis Mills starting. The matchup is favorable, the defense is strong, and the team has momentum from last week’s comeback. Mills’ familiarity with the system and veteran presence helps minimize disruption. The key will be getting off to a good start, avoiding turnovers, executing situational football, and capitalizing on the Titans’ weaknesses. If all of that aligns, Houston should be well-positioned to secure a valuable win. On the other hand, complacency, an early deficit, or mistakes could make things more difficult than expected. For Mills personally, this is a chance to shine, build trust, and demonstrate he can manage the reins in the absence of Stroud. For Houston, it’s a test of depth, readiness, and organizational resilience.
