WHEN THEY PASS
WHEN THE TITANS PASS
Before the Titans were obliterated at Indianapolis last week, they defeated Dallas by 14 and New England by 24. In those two games, Marcus Mariota threw four touchdown passes, ran for another and didn’t suffer an interTitans ception. That’s the Mariota the need against the Texans. They’re 30th in passing (183.7 yards). Their passing yards per play (5.87) is 26th. Led by J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, who have combined for 16 ½ sacks, the Texans have done a good job of pressuring the passer. They rank eighth against the pass (234.5). Led by Kareem Jackson, Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid, the secdefenondary has been exceptional. The sive backs have to worry the most about wide receiver Corey Davis and running back Dion Lewis in the passing game. Davis (45 catches, 606 yards) has become a go-to receiver. Lewis (36 for 278) is dangerous out of the backfield.
WHEN THE TEXANS PASS
Deshaun Watson hasn’t thrown more than 24 passes in any of his last four games. In the victory at Washington, he threw two interceptions after going three consecutive games without a turnover. The Titans will get after Watson from every angle. They’ll pressure the offensive tackles and try to beat them around the edge. The Titans also will use blitzes to harass Watson into making bad throws. The Texans are 18th in passing (242.1 yards). The Titans are ninth against the pass (234.9). Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey has played some of his best games against the Texans. They also have to keep outside linebacker Brian Orakpo from pressuring from the outside. Safety Kevin Byard and cornerback Logan Ryan will have to be accounted for. The Titans know DeAndre Hopkins will get most of the targets, and they know what kind of weapon he is. They’ll see rookie slot receiver Keke Coutee for the first time and have to be prepared for him to work the middle of the field.