The Houston Texans rebounded to remain atop the AFC South, as Deshaun Watson and Co. downed the Tennessee Titans in Nashville on Sunday, 24-21, in Week 15.
These two teams appeared to be trending in opposite directions. The Titans had won four straight games while the Texans had just lost to the Denver Broncos and a rookie quarterback. Houston came out and took advantage of the Titans' shorthanded secondary, though, as Kenny Stills caught two second-quarter touchdowns to give the Texans a 14-0 halftime lead. The Titans refocused and scored two unanswered touchdowns to tie the game at 14 apiece in the second half, but the Texans then answered with a big touchdown of their own -- a 10-yard rush by Carlos Hyde that put him over 1,000 rushing yards in a season for the first time in his career.
A field goal on the next drive pushed the lead to 10, and it ended up being too much for the Titans to overcome. Watson finished with 243 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, while DeAndre Hopkins caught six passes for 119 yards. Hyde also had a big game, as he rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.
The Texans answered any questions we had about who the best team in the AFC South was on Sunday. It was all about poise with this group. They were facing a red-hot team on the road and Watson even threw two interceptions in the end zone. Still, they were able to remain composed and do whatever was necessary to get a win. Even after the Titans scored two unanswered touchdowns, Watson calmly marched the Texans 75 yards down the field on seven plays, and Hyde scored a touchdown to reacquire the lead. It was a great team win, Watson played well and the stars stepped up -- on both sides of the ball. It was an incredibly entertaining matchup, but the Texans proved they were the better team. Despite how inconsistent they have been this season, the Texans clearly have everything needed to make a deep postseason run.
We all knew that the Titans' secondary was shorthanded coming into this matchup, and they were exposed by Watson. Stills, Hopkins and Will Fuller V had big days, as Tennessee's secondary was just simply outmatched. Cornerback Malcolm Butler is on injured reserve after breaking his wrist and Adoree' Jackson missed Sunday due to a foot injury. LeShaun Sims, Tye Smith and Tramaine Brock were the Titans' top three cornerbacks, and they struggled. They were why the Titans found themselves in a 14-0 hole early on, and Hopkins was also able to make several big catches to keep drives alive in the second half.
The dagger in this game seemed to come after the Titans tied the game early in the fourth quarter. The Texans had no momentum and just threw an interception in the end zone on their previous possession, but Watson led Houston on a seven-play drive which ended with a Hyde touchdown. The response was a huge hit to the Titans, who then ran just four plays before they were forced to punt. The Texans then took possession and scored a field goal, which would end up being the game-winner. The Titans threw all they could at the Texans in the second half, but Watson always had a response ready.
This play ended up being huge. Both teams failed to score any points in the opening quarter, but the Titans engineered a long drive and appeared ready to take their first lead of the game. Instead, tight end Anthony Firkser got popped right at the goal line, and Whitney Mercilus was able to pick off the ball and return it all the way into enemy territory.
Check it out:
Two plays later, Watson found Stills in the back of the end zone for the first score of the game.
The Texans travel next week to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who defeated the Detroit Lions on Sunday, 38-17. Jameis Winston's Bucs have won four straight games. The Titans host the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium next week.
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What a game! The Texans came to Nashville and recorded a statement win over the Titans to stay atop the division. Despite throwing two red-zone INTs, Watson found a way to get the job done. Thanks for joining us! Keep it locked here as we continue to bring you analysis from today's game.
Feels like the Texans already have this one wrapped up, but I've been wrong before. Huge fourth quarter by DeAndre Hopkins.
Great play by Reid to advance and catch that ball.
Easy work for Dion Lewis. No one was covering him at all.
Jonnu Smith now has five catches for 60 yards and a 57-yard rush.
Zach Cunningham is so good. I think he's going to be an NFL star.
Maybe a blocked field goal is coming? Titans are the best in the league when it comes to that.
Pretty good stop, but the Titans now have no timeouts remaining. Going to be tough for them.
Hopkins is killing the Titans on this drive. Basically icing the game by himself.
Another big burst from Hyde. Titans need to clamp down.
Ugly, ugly possession.
Great job by Tannehill to get rid of the ball there. This is a huge third down for the Titans.
Jonnu Smith has been so good this game. Has to be the best game of his young career.
