WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.
FORECAST: Partly cloudy, 46 degrees, 4 mph winds
FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @averydduncan
LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM] and 100.3 The Bull [KLOL]
WATCH: CBS (Jim Nantz & Tony Romo)
Red: Houston-Tennessee
Blue: Denver-Kansas City
Brown: Miami-NY Giants
Teal: New England-Cincinnati
Green: Minnesota-LA Chargers (late)
Yellow: Jacksonville-Oakland (late)
Purple: Cleveland-Arizona (late)
10: carlos hyde’s rank for most rushing yards among running backs
The 29-year-old has racked up 926 rushing yards on the season, good for the 10th-most among running backs in the NFL. If the Texans can have a big game from Hyde against the Titans, it will present the offense as having a diverse attack, and the Titans’ pass rush won’t be able to key on quarterback Deshaun Watson. Furthermore, it takes the secondary’s ability to make plays on the ball out of the equation.
9: harold landry’s sacks for the year
The 2018 second-round pick from Boston College has come into his own, producing 9.0 sacks for the Titans. Houston’s offensive line is slightly compromised with right tackle Tytus Howard on injured reserve. The Texans will have to account for Landry, and quarterback Deshaun Watson will also have to key on the edge rusher to keep him from having an impact on the game.
8: tennessee’s rank for penalties
The Titans have committed 84 penalties on the year, which rank as the eighth-lowest in the NFL. Tennessee is a disciplined team under second-year coach Mike Vrabel. They don’t make very many mistakes. Similarly, a mistake-laden game from the Texans could prove costly.
7: Houston’s rank for tackles for loss
The Texans defense has produced 47 tackles for loss in 2019, the seventh-lowest in the league. The Houston defense will have to make a few plays against the Titans’ offense and not just leave the onus on the Texans’ offense to pull out victory. One of the best ways would be to drop running back Derrick Henry for a few losses or stuffs on the afternoon.
6: deshaun watson’s rank for sacks
The Pro Bowl field general has sustained 38 sacks though the first 14 weeks of the season, ranked for the sixth-most in the NFL. Watson also has a sack percentage of 8.0%, which is the 10th-highest in the league. The winner of all eight of the Texans’ victories this season will have to find a way to avoid Tennessee’s pass rushers if he is to lead them to their ninth and ensure 2019 goes down as the eighth in franchise history.
5: derrick henry’s fumbles
The former Alabama running back has five fumbles on the season, which are the second-most among running backs with at least 200 carries. What it means is that the Texans could have their chance at a game-changing play, and the defense has to be on high alert if Henry puts the ball on the turf.
4: kevin byard’s interceptions
The 2016 third-round pick from Middle Tennessee State has picked off four passes this season, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. Byard will track errant passes and haul them in; therefore, quarterback Deshaun Watson is going to have to use discernment when he throws deep, and his receivers are going to have to haul in balls they touch. Among the 12 others tied with Byard are teammate Logan Ryan.
3: deandre hopkins’ rank for targets
The two-time All-Pro has been targeted 133 times in 2019, the third-most in the NFL. No doubt he will be the subject of many of quarterback Deshaun Watson’s throws Sunday against the Titans. If Hopkins has a big game, especially against Tennessee’s secondary, it could be one of the building blocks to victory.
2: logan ryan’s rank for pass breakups
The 28-year-old has tipped away 17 passes in 2019, tied with Tampa Bay’s Carlton Davis for the most in the league. The Texans faced one of the best in the game already in Stephon Gilmore, and the passing game still managed to have an impactful game. In the same regard, Houston is going to have to find a way to beat Ryan or neutralize his effect to get a win.
1: ryan tannehill’s yards per pass attempt rank
The former Miami Dolphins 2012 first-round pick has a yards per pass of 9.8, the highest in the NFL. What it means is that Tannehill is not afraid to throw the ball downfield. Houston’s secondary will have to get ready for the deep ball and also tackle well so as some of the receptions don’t turn into big yards after the catch.