WHEN THEY PASS
WHEN THE TITANS PASS
Ryan Tannehill has been outstanding in his first season with the Titans and should get a contract extension in the offseason. The Titans are 15th in offense (355.9 yards), including 22nd in passing (224). The Texans are 28th in defense (383.1), including 30th against the pass (270.3). The only time Tannehill’s rating has been less than 131.0 in his last six games was against the Texans (92.2). In that 24-21 loss two weeks ago, he threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. His 116.5 rating is the NFL’s best. Not only is Tannehill completing 70.7 percent, but he averages 9.5 yards per attempt. He likes to hold the ball waiting for receivers to get open down the field, which is one reason he’s been sacked 31 times in his nine starts. Tannehill works play-action to perfection and throws effectively on the move or from the pocket. Rookie A.J. Brown is their leading receiver (48 catches, 19.3 average, seven touchdowns). He leads the NFL with seven touchdowns of at least 45 yards. He wore out the Texans with eight receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. The defense has to do a good job covering tight end Jonnu Smith and receiver Corey Davis. Smith had a 57-yard run against the Texans.
WHEN THE TEXANS PASS
Deshaun Watson hasn’t thrown for 300 yards in the past eight games, and the Texans are
6-2. He’s thrown five interceptions in the past three games, including two in the end zone at Tennessee. He’s coming off his worst game in a victory. He threw for 184 yards and no touchdowns with one interception at Tampa Bay. He was sacked five times, and his rating was 62.5. Fans hope Watson and his offensive line got it out of their system in Tampa. When the Texans beat the Titans two weeks ago, Watson threw two touchdown passes to Kenny Stills. Now Watson’s playing without Will Fuller again, but Fuller is injured so much, the quarterback should be used to it. He’s got to get DeAndre Hopkins involved early and go to him often. He had six catches for 119 yards against the Titans. With Fuller out, expect Watson to throw more to tight ends Darren Fells and Jordan Akins. The Texans are 11th in offense (366.1 yards), including 10th in passing (239.4). The Titans are 22nd in defense (363.4), including 24th (259.2) against the pass. Their pass rush is led by outside linebacker Harold Landry III, who has a team-high nine sacks. The Titans have 39 overall, including four apiece by tackle Jurrell Casey and outside linebacker Kamai Correa.