Titans at Texans: Keys to victory for Week 17
Keys to victory for the Titans (10-5) against the Texans (4-11) at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday (3:25 p.m., CBS):
Playoff scenarios
The Titans have a 98% chance to make the playoffs, which they could do before they even kick off, and a 63% chance to win their first AFC South title since 2008. They are a 71⁄ 2- point favorite on the road against a team that has lost four in a row. The over/under is 55.5, which plays right into the Titans' hands, considering they average 30 points per game (third in the league).
The trick for the Titans is to avoid thinking about any of that and just win. Do that and they'll clinch the division, win at least 11 regular-season games for the first time in 12 years and be in the postseason for the third time in four years.
Get Derrick Henry going
Being that he's 233 yards away, Derrick Henry isn't likely to become the seventh player in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards in a season. Still, the Titans back is in line for his second consecutive rushing title. He'll be facing a team that is second-worst in the league in rushing yards allowed (2,276) and worst in the league with five yards per carry allowed. Get him going and it's probably game over. Balance with the passing game could be key, too. The Texans are seventh-worst in the league, two spots better than the Titans, with 3,900 yards allowed through the air.
Dear, Watson (and Watt)
Yes, the Texans have Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt, but that shouldn't be enough star power to shock the Titans, who needed overtime to top Houston 42-36 earlier this season. Watson is second in the league with 4,458 passing yards. His 8.8 yards per completion is at the top, too. He completes 70% of his attempts. He has 30 touchdowns. The Titans' secondary and pass rush has been suspect all season.
Now would be a good time to start to rectify that and not let the Texans get off to a fast start.