Tag: Titans 2024

Texans’ 10-win season rests in hands of Titans QB Will Levis

Will Levis is the only person standing in Houston Texans’ way of a 10-win season.

The Houston Texans are expecting to see both quarterbacks in the season finale against the Tennessee Titans.

Will Levis gets the first crack at trying to end Tennesseee’s five-game losing streak.

Titans coach Brian Callahan announced Friday that the second-year passer would return to the starting lineup for the season finale at Nissan Stadium.

“We’ll let him play,” Callahan told reporters. “Let him take a shot to finish off the season on a good note and play well.”

Sitting a 3-13, the Titans need a win to avoid a top-three draft pick. Houston, fresh off a double-digit loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas, must win to secure a second 10-win season under DeMeco Ryans.

While the Titans have struggled offensively, Levis’ best game came in Week 12’s win over Houston at NRG Stadium. He completed 75% of his throws for 278 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 32-27 victory over the AFC foe.

Levis a 2023 second-round pick, isn’t promised the starting job heading into Year 3, but he could be playing for a roster spot. His 12 interceptions and 17 total turnovers were both the most in the NFL at the time of his benching, meaning nothing is guaranteed in Nashville entering 2025.

“Excited to go out there and try to get another win,” Levis said. “I’m glad I got another opportunity. I sure as heck wouldn’t want my last throw to be a pick-six.”

Levis had the chance to be Tennessee’s starter in his second season with a team in a year many figured the roster could be a dark horse contender.  After throwing for 1,916 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games, the Titans’ future at quarterback is uncertain.

The picture could become more clear with a win on Saturday at Nissan Stadium.

Texans vs. Titans: Announcers set for Week 18 game

The Houston Texans hit the road one final time during the regular season to take on the Tennessee Titans.

The Houston Texans (9-7) will battle the Tennessee Titans (3-13) in Week 18, where Houston is looking to snap its two-game losing streak in their season finale before heading into the playoffs.

Sunday’s regular-season finale from Nissan Stadium in Nashville will be televised on CBS at noon CT. The commentators for the game are Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Ross Tucker (analyst) and Jay Feely (sideline reporter).

The Texans are coming off an ugly 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. The offense never found life behind quarterback C.J. Stroud while the defense allowed over 250 rushing yards to Derrick Henry and MVP candidate Lamar Jackson.

Meanwhile, the Titans haven’t won since Week 12’s victory over Houston. While the Texans are in line for a double-digit win season, Tennessee’s in prime position to secure a top-three pick in the upcoming NFL Draft with a loss.

The Texans might not have much to play for in playoff seeding, but a 10-win season should be recognized. Over its two-decade run since its inaugural season in 2002, Houston has only finished with double-digit campaigns eight times.

With a victory on Sunday, the Texans would finish with back-to-back 10-win seasons for the only second time in franchise history and the first time since 2019.

Next week, the Texans will host the No. 5 seed in the wild-card round. With a win, it’s projected that Houston would then travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs.

History has usually placed Houston on Saturday during the early window.
This year, the early game will be on Amazon Prime.

Will the Texans rest starters in Week 18’s regular-season finale?

DeMeco Ryans makes it clear about starters playing on Sunday when the Houston Texans take the field against the Tennessee Titans.

Is C.J. Stroud playing in Week 18’s finale against the Tennessee Titans?

What about Nico Collins, who’s only 32 yards away from reaching 1,000 yards?

Will Joe Mixon be on the sidelines resting, knowing he’s seven yards from being the first Texans running back since Carlos Hyde?

The answer is the same for each: yes. Houston does not plan on resting players for the regular-season finale at Nissan Stadium, regardless of playoff implications in the wild-card round.

“I mentioned to all our guys that everybody has to be ready to go,” Ryans said. “Everybody will be out there playing and then we’ll see how the game goes.”

Sunday’s matchup won’t change much for Houston. They’ve already clinched the AFC South and can’t improve their playoff positioning. Following a  31-2 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas, the Texans secured the No. 4 seed in the postseason and will host the top wild card seed come January 11 or 12.

But Ryans is about ending the season on a high note. With a win, Houston would secure its second double-dight victory campaign and back-to-back 10-win seasons since 2019.

After last week’s loss at home to the Ravens on Christmas, starters also need a chance to improve their persona.

“Our last outing on the field was not good enough. It was not representative of who we are,” Ryans said. “Defensively, offensively, just not a good representation of our team entirely. So we’ve got to go out and play better football.”

Just because starters take the field on Sunday afternoon doesn’t mean they’ll play four quarters. Houston’s an injury away from knocking itself out of the playoffs before the game even begins.

Ryans isn’t planning on running his players rampant before an elimination game, but morale must improve heading into the postseason. There must be a spark to bring back belief.

“For us right now, I think it’s a feel for where your team is at this point of the season,” Ryans said. “For me right now, our team needs to be playing better before we head into the postseason.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be locally televised on CBS.