NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Another week, another difficult challenge awaits the Tennessee Titans (2-8) Sunday when they visit the first-place Houston Texans (7-4).
It is week 12 of the NFL season, but this is only the Titans’ second AFC South game of the season, giving them hope they can start to turn their season around with an upset against the Texans.
“At this point, I think the guys know what it is and the important part for us is just winning the next one as opposed to worrying about much else outside of that. ” said head coach Brian Callahan, “And division games are big and they matter and they matter for next year as well. I mean, there’s all the things that go into playing in the division that are important and the stakes are a bit higher and they’re games that you want to win because none of us like each other very much, that’s just how division games go. We’ve got to find a way to at least make a mark on our division here at the end of the year with all these games coming up.”
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Protecting quarterback Will Levis is once again a major concern for a Titans offensive line turning back to Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle. The Titans have tried, Petit-Frere, LeRoy Watson, John Ojukwu and Isaiah Prince but all have failed one or another to create stability and win the position.
Watching the Titans struggle to fill that spot has been frustrating for fans and mind-boggling for Callahan, who said he has never been through anything like this before with their inability to settle that position down.
It will be a massive challenge for the offensive line against the Texans’ fourth-ranked defense and what has been a ferocious pass rush. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter each come into the game with 7.5 sacks, but the Texans bring the pressure in waves, boasting players like Denico Autry and Derek Barnett.
It will be the first time Tennessee faces former Titans Azeez Al-Shaair and Autry. Callahan says they are a problem.
“Those guys are good players. Azeez (Al-Shaair) is the heartbeat of that defense. He’s their signal caller. He does a great job. He fits that scheme really well. Obviously familiar with DeMeco (Ryans) and that system from San Francisco. And then Denico (Autry), also you see—I’ve always been a fan of his playing against the Titans for the years he was here. He’s a really, really good player. It’s almost miraculous he can still do it at his age the way he does it. He’s physical, he’s an edge setter, he can rush,” he said.
Texans Sack Leaders
- Danielle Hunter – 7.5
- Will Anderson – 7.5
- Tim Settle Jr. – 5
- Denico Autry – 3
- Derek Barnett – 3
If the Titans can give Levis time, he can build on what has been his two best games of the season. Levis threw for 470 yards, three touchdowns and just one interception in the Titans’ last two games. Even more encouraging has been his growing connection with receiver Calvin Ridley.
After struggling to connect with Ridley earlier this season, Levis has hit Ridley for nine receptions, 142 yards and two touchdowns. Ridley also had a 51-yard touchdown called back last week against the Vikings.
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Defensively the Titans need to take advantage of an offensive line that has struggled to protect CJ Stroud. Stroud has already been sacked 35 times through 11 games and as a result, has already thrown seven interceptions after throwing only two all of last season.
Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said he felt the Titans could look to take advantage of the interior portion of that line. He also said getting to Stroud starts with slowing down Joe Mixon, who is having a career year in Houston leading Simmons to say he wished Mixon “was still in Cincinnati.”
Joe Mixon 2024 Stats
- 764 Yards Rushing
- 4.5 Yards Per Carry
- 10 Touchdowns
- 18 Receptions
- 203 Yards
The Titans enter the game an eight-point underdog at Houston. Tennessee has only scored 20 points or more twice all season and won both games.