The 8-5 Houston Texans are preparing for their most important game of the 2019 season. On Sunday, they will travel to face the 8-5 Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Whoever wins will, momentarily, possess the crown of the AFC South.
The Texans and the Titans will face twice in a three-game stretch. To ensure a spot in the postseason and a division championship, the Texans must win two of those next three.
Quarterback and team leader Deshaun Watson sees the pressure of Sunday’s matchup as a “great opportunity.”
“It’s a great opportunity,” said the 24-year-old on Wednesday. “That’s why we put in the work in the offseason. We did all things we had to do in the training camp and throughout the year to put us in a position to have a great opportunity like we do. Two great teams, two great franchises going at each other and it’s going to be good.”
Watson sees Sunday’s divisional tilt as not only a defining moment of the season but also something the Texans have worked for since last season ended in the wildcard round of the playoffs.
Historically, Watson has played Tennessee well. He is 2-1 against them, passing for 803 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions and a 120.9 passer rating on a 73.3% completion rate in the process. He has also rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns against them.
Entering the matchup, the Titans are a surging team. They have won six of their last seven, with quarterback Ryan Tannehill acting as a revelation since replacing Marcus Mariota as the starter. His 118.5 passer rating paces the league.
Meanwhile, the Texans are coming off of a disheartening 38-24 loss to the Denver Broncos. In the weeks before, they were blown out by the Baltimore Ravens, then beat their demons in defeating the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, both in prime time.