The Houston Texans have nothing to play for in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans, and not in the same way as they did a year ago at the same time.
Unlike 2019 when the Texans already had the AFC South wrapped up and no chance at a first-round bye, Houston has no hope for the postseason; their 19th season in franchise history ends at around 3:30 p.m. CT Sunday.
According to quarterback Deshaun Watson, the Texans, though not eligible for the playoffs, still have something to play for and are focused on Week 17, just as they were in previous seasons.
“Even the two years we made the playoffs, we were still focused on that game,” Watson said. “It wasn’t even so much of the playoffs. I guess the last game the last couple years has been for the championship and clinching, so yeah, that’s pretty much it, really.”
In 2018, the Texans did need to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17 at NRG Stadium to clinch the division. In 2019, they captured the AFC South with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16, thus rendering their rematch with the Titans meaningless from Houston’s point of view.
“Guys are still focused in and locked in for Sunday, but I guess the only difference is when we come in after the game on Sunday, it’s going to be the exit meeting instead,” said Watson.
For Watson, he personally will be preparing for Tennessee as he does every Sunday: focused on winning the game. The game presents its own challenge as the Titans need to beat Houston to win the division. Tennessee won’t be resting their starters, as the Texans did last year in the Week 17 bout.
Said Watson: “Just prepping for the game and going in there to win. That’s pretty much it. There’s not too much to speak on as far as anything else. Just been prepping with the guys and making sure everyone is prepped and ready to go out there and compete on Sunday.”
It will be the first time in the 2021 calendar year the Texans compete, but the last of the 2020 schedule, which mercifully comes to an end.