Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans Week 17: AFC South Showdown — How to Watch & Preview

Game at a Glance

• Matchup: Tennessee Titans (away) vs. Houston Texans (home)
• Kickoff: Sunday, December 27 at 1:00 PM UTC
• Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
• TV Channel: CBS
• Week: 17 of the 2026 NFL Season
• Stream: Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, fuboTV, and more

How to Watch CBS — Live Stream & TV Options

The game airs on CBS — CBS's Sunday afternoon NFL window. Here is every way to watch, whether you have cable or have cut the cord entirely:

Paid Streaming Services

• Paramount+ with SHOWTIME
• fuboTV
• Hulu + Live TV
• YouTube TV
• DirecTV Stream
• Sling TV (Blue)

Free or Trial Options

• Paramount+ (free trial available)
• Over-the-air antenna (free HD)

Mobile Streaming

NFL+ (mobile & tablet streaming)

Note: Paramount+ is CBS's streaming home. A Paramount+ Essential plan is enough to stream CBS NFL games.

Game Preview: Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans

Week 17 of the 2026 NFL season brings a compelling contest as a franchise still searching for their first Super Bowl championship — the Tennessee Titans — travel to NRG Stadium to face the Houston Texans, a franchise still searching for their first Super Bowl championship. This is a AFC South divisional clash — the most personal rivalry in football. Division opponents know each other's schemes, personnel, and tendencies better than any other foe on the schedule, and that familiarity breeds an intensity rarely matched in the regular season.

The Tennessee Titans: Can Will Levis Win on the Road?

Head coach Brian Callahan brings his squad into hostile territory at NRG Stadium, where the a growing powerhouse crowd will be at full volume. The Tennessee Titans lean heavily on quarterback Will Levis to lead the offense, and his ability to process quickly under crowd noise will be a decisive factor. Titans Up will be watching closely — a road victory would send a statement to the rest of the league.

The Tennessee Titans's success on the road this season depends on establishing a run game to control clock, limiting third-down conversions against them, and avoiding early turnovers. Any of those three break down, and the advantage shifts firmly to the home side.

The Houston Texans: Home Fortress at NRG Stadium

Coach DeMeco Ryans's squad holds the significant edge of playing in front of a growing powerhouse crowd at NRG Stadium. The Houston Texans know this stadium's quirks — the crowd noise disrupting communication, the turf conditions, the sight lines — and they will use every bit of that institutional knowledge to manufacture early advantages. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has shown comfort working from home, where the play-action game and RPO concepts generate explosive plays against crowded boxes.

The Houston Texans are a franchise still searching for their first Super Bowl championship, and the franchise views home games as non-negotiable wins on their path toward postseason contention. Expect a highly scripted first-quarter game plan designed to neutralize the Tennessee Titans's best weapons.

Key Matchups to Watch

Will Levis vs. Texans Nation crowd noise: Communication breakdowns at the line of scrimmage are one of the most underrated factors in road games. Watch how Will Levis handles pre-snap adjustments and whether the Tennessee Titans come out with a quick-tempo approach to minimize noise impact.

Trenches battle: The collision between the Tennessee Titans's offensive line and the Houston Texans's defensive front sets the physical tone. If Will Levis has a clean pocket, the Tennessee Titans move the chains. If the home pass rush generates early disruption, C.J. Stroud can take over in a controlled environment.

Red-zone efficiency: Both teams' red-zone offense and defense will be under the microscope — scoring touchdowns instead of settling for field goals is often the difference in close NFL games, and this matchup figures to be exactly that.

What's at Stake in Week 17

In divisional play, the winner gains a critical leg up in the AFC South standings. With each divisional game worth double in the playoff race — win percentage against division opponents is the second tiebreaker — both franchises are treating this as essential.

With the playoff picture nearly locked in, this Week 17 matchup between the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans carries outsized importance. Don't miss a snap.

How to Watch on Every Device

Whether you're watching on your TV, phone, or tablet, here's the full breakdown:

• Smart TV (Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV): Download the Paramount+ app and sign in.
• iPhone / Android: NFL+ (mobile & tablet streaming)
• Laptop / Desktop: Stream at paramountplus.com or any of the live TV streaming services listed above.
• Cable / Satellite subscribers: Tune to CBS on your provider. No extra action needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans kick off?

Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans kicks off at Sunday, December 27 at 1:00 PM UTC on Sunday, December 27, 2026. This is a Week 17 NFL game.

What channel is Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans on?

The game is on CBS. CBS's Sunday afternoon NFL window. Check your local listings for the exact channel number in your market.

How can I stream Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans without cable?

You can stream this game without cable using Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV. Paramount+ with SHOWTIME is a popular option for cord-cutters.

Where is Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans being played?

This Week 17 game is being played at NRG Stadium. The Houston Texans are the home team.

Is the Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans game available on NFL+?

NFL+ (mobile & tablet streaming). NFL+ allows mobile and tablet streaming of live local and national games. Check NFL+ availability for your location and device.