SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 29, 2013
Titans 16, Texans 10: Chris Johnson rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown as host Tennessee extended Houston’s franchise-worst losing streak to 14 games.
Rob Bironas kicked three field goals while Akeem Ayers and Michael Griffin recorded interceptions as the Titans (7-9) finished the campaign with consecutive victories. Tennessee compiled 151 rushing yards and forced four turnovers.
Jonathan Grimes rushed for a touchdown for Houston (2-14), but Matt Schaub was intercepted twice and also lost a fumble. Houston started 2-0 – the second win coming against Tennessee – before collapsing en route to posting the worst record in the NFL and clinching the No. 1 pick in next year's draft.
The Texans led by a point in the third quarter when Schaub was intercepted by Ayers, and Tennessee went 35 yards on seven plays to take a 13-7 lead on Johnson’s 11-yard TD scamper. Bironas added a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but Houston pulled within six on Randy Bullock’s 19-yarder before Griffin made a game-clinching interception with 1:01 remaining.
Grimes scored on a 3-yard run to give Houston the first-quarter lead. Bironas kicked a 42-yard field goal with 9:45 left in the second quarter and ended the half with a 55-yarder to pull Tennessee within 7-6.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Johnson finished the season with 1,077 rushing yards, the sixth consecutive campaign in which he has topped 1,000. … Schaub drew the start because Case Keenum (thumb) was unable to play. … Published reports indicate the Texans are focused on hiring Penn State’s Bill O’Brien as their new head coach.