linebackers
If ever there was a time for Whitney Mercilus to return to the form he flashed over the first four weeks of the season, Week 15 on the road against the premier AFC South challenger would have been the time. The 29-year-old’s interception return of 86 yards to setup the Texans’ first touchdown of the game early in the second quarter was timely and impactful. Mercilus also added two tackles and a pass breakup. Inside linebackers Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney were also key to the game as they split a sack and added 14 and nine tackles respectively. Brennan Scarlett, who was questionable with a shoulder injury all week, produced five tackles.