Tennessee @ Houston preview
NRG Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 31, 2023 ) Tennessee 3, Houston 26
The Houston Texans hope their midseason malaise is behind them and they get the chance to prove it when they host the lowly Tennessee Titans in an AFC South clash on Sunday.
The Texans (7-4) hold a two-game division lead over the Indianapolis Colts despite recently losing three of four games, including blowing a 16-point halftime lead in a loss to the Detroit Lions.
But Houston roared to a dominating 34-10 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, perhaps signaling the team is ready to go on a roll. In fact, the Texans visit a Jacksonville Jaguars team in disarray in Week 13 before having a bye week.
Just don't mention the word "playoffs" anywhere near Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.
"I just want our guys to remain focused, remain locked in on the task at hand each week," Ryans told reporters. "If we do that, we're a really good football team. We can play with anybody. It's just about finishing."
Quarterback C.J. Stroud passed for 257 yards and was intercepted once against Dallas. Big-play receiver Nico Collins returned from a five-game absence due to a hamstring injury to catch four passes for 54 yards.
But the big reason for the trampling of the Cowboys was running back Joe Mixon, who rushed for three touchdowns and had 153 yards from scrimmage. His 109 on the ground represented his fifth 100-yard outing in the past six games.
"When he's on, Joe's a force," Ryans said. "I liked the way we just kept churning it in the run game. And I'm proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge."
Houston expects to have star Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) after a two-game absence. Anderson, who was limited in Wednesday's practices, shares the team lead of 7.5 sacks with fellow defensive end Danielle Hunter.
The Titans (2-8) lack an identity after the offseason departure of franchise icon Derrick Henry, the star running back.
Tennessee has lost six games by double digits as it begins back-to-back road games against the Texans and Washington Commanders.
Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons is putting on a brave face. He liked the effort in last Sunday's 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
"The fight this team showed, especially in the second half, is why you want to play this game," Simmons said. "No matter what the record may be, that's why I come to work, and I'm ready to go to war with my guys."
Quarterback Will Levis passed for a season-best 295 yards against the Vikings. One third of them came on one play when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught a pass at his own 40-yard line and raced down the right sideline for a 98-yard scoring play.
Levis completed just 17 of 31 passes and was intercepted once. He isn't thrilled that Tennessee ranks 28th in the NFL in scoring offense (17 points per game) and 25th in total offense (295.4 yards per game).
"You have to just continue coming to work, knowing that how you approach your job and how you approach your day-to-day are the habits that create winning football," Levis said Wednesday. "And, we just have to know that if we just keep doing those things, then the wins are going to come."
Titans standout cornerback L'Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) will not play on Sunday, according to coach Brian Callahan.
He and receiver Calvin Ridley (illness) were among nine Titans to miss Wednesday's practice due to injury or illness. Among the others to sit out were defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps) and running back Tyjae Spears (concussion).
Linebacker Jack Gibbens (ankle) underwent season-ending surgery earlier this week and will be placed on injured reserve. He was injured and subsequently carted off the field during the loss to Minnesota.
Houston defensive end Denico Autry (knee/oblique) sat out Wednesday's session. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (foot) and offensive tackle Blake Fisher (concussion) also missed practice.
The Texans have won the past three meetings. The teams will meet again in the final week of the regular season at Nashville.
--Field Level Media