The Houston Texans had the rug pulled out from under them when the 4-8 Denver Broncos blasted them 38-24 at NRG Stadium.
It was an unexpected result after Houston earned a big win over the New England Patriots 28-22 in Week 13 on Sunday Night Football. Very few expected the Texans to lie down the next week to a team starting a rookie quarterback in his first career road start.
With such a shocking loss counting as the Texans’ fifth on the season, it is reasonable to wonder how the first place team in the AFC South will respond, especially in game one of their season series with the Tennessee Titans that is to be played out in two of the final three games.
“We came in Monday and everyone put that to the past and we got ready for Tennessee,” quarterback Deshaun Watson told reporters Wednesday. “We had a great off day yesterday. Guys came in and got their bodies right, worked out, watched film, and then today was awesome too on the practice field and in the meeting rooms, good energy in the locker room, still playing music and having a great time.”
That the Texans haven’t lost their resolve after losing such momentum against the Broncos is a positive sign. If the Texans could have beat Denver, they would have been riding a three-game winning streak into Nashville to take on the Titans at Nissan Stadium, where Tennessee is bringing a four-game winning streak.
“It’s a blessing to be in this position and be healthy and be able to have another opportunity,” said Watson. “We all put that to the past.”
Houston and the Titans kickoff at 12:00 p.m. CT. With both teams at 8-5, the winner will take first place in the division and hold a tiebreaker that could manifest in a series sweep when the two sides meet again on Dec. 29 in the season finale at NRG Stadium.