The 8-5 Houston Texans may not be in full-blown must-win territory yet, but it’s close. On Sunday, they will face the 8-5 Tennessee Titans in Nashville, a game with playoff implications galore.
If the Texans were to win, they would gain full control over the AFC South division. They would need a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16 or a Titans loss to the New Orleans Saints to the lock-up the division. If they lose, they would have to win out to win the division.
It’s fair to say that the Texans need to win on Sunday. Which experts have them doing so in a tight matchup with a long-time rival?
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco): Titans
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports does not believe in the Texans, specifically their defense. A week after being carved up by rookie quarterback Drew Lock, he sees a veteran one who is playing the best football of his career in Ryan Tannehill doing the same thing on Sunday.
“This is for first place in the division, which means it’s a huge game. The Titans have won six of seven games with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback. He is playing great football. The Texans were awful in their home loss to the Broncos last week and I think Tannehill will carve up that defense like Drew Lock did. The Titans will take over first place.”
Pick: Titans, 29-24