Henry hits mark in victory
HOUSTON >> Derrick Henry ran into the NFL record books with the best game of his career Sunday.
But it was a lucky bounce that gave the Tennessee Titans a win over Houston Texans and their first AFC South title since 2008.
Henry ran for a careerhigh 250 yards to surpass 2,000 yards rushing and rookie Sam Sloman’s 37yard field goal bounced off the upright and through on the game’s final play for the 41-38 victory.
“I told them I’m fortunate and proud to be their coach,” Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel said. “They don’t quit. They don’t give in.”
The Titans (11-5) needed the air game to set up Sloman’s winner, though: a 52-yard reception by A. J. Brown moments after a 51yard field goal by Houston tied it with 18 seconds left.
Henry finished the regular season with a franchise-record 2,027 yards rushing to become the eighth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards. He passed Chris Johnson, who had 2,006 yards in 2009.
Henry had touchdown runs of 52 and 6 yards in his third straight 200-yard rushing game against the Texans.
“I got it. I did it,” he said of joining the elite 2,000yard rushing club. “But I ... wasn’t pressing for it, just wanted to be able to win the game as a team and make to the playoffs, win the division.”
Houston took its first lead when Deshaun Watson found Pharaoh Brown on a 7-yard pass that made it 35-31 with about 10 minutes remaining.
The Titans then capped a long drive with a 5-yard TD run by Tannehill with less than two minutes remaining.
Watson threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns as the Texans (412) dropped their fifth in a row.
Watson’s big day gave him a career- best and NFL-leading 4,823 yards passing.