The Houston Texans’ playoff hopes aren’t over just yet.
With Case Keenum under center instead of C.J. Stroud, the Texans ground out a 19-16 win over the Tennessee Titans after an overtime field goal from Ka’imi Fairbairn. The win pushed the Texans to 8-6 on the season – still outside the wildcard field but not out of it.
Keenum tied the game up with 3:03 left in the fourth quarter on a three-yard touchdown pass to Noah Brown, and the defense held the Titans from taking the late lead in regulation or from winning in overtime. Tennessee had the two overtime possessions – including the first – but mustered only 18 total yards on eight plays in the extra period.
Brown finished with eight receptions for 82 yards and the touchdown while running back Devin Singletary added 121 rushing yards on 26 careers. Keenum threw for 229 yards with a touchdown and one interception.
The defense was perhaps the most impressive unit on the day. Houston sacked Titans quarterback Will Levis seven times in the contest, led by Jonathan Greenard’s 2.5 and Maliek Collins’s 1.5 takedowns. Rookie Will Anderson Jr. was ruled out for the game with an ankle injury.
The Texans were missing key members on offense as well, including rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins.
Houston will face the Cleveland Browns at home in a crucial Week 16 match.