Texans (7-6) at Titans (5-8)
Sunday, December 17 | 1 p.m.
Nissan Stadium, Nashville
TV: CBS Radio: WGOW-AM/FM
The Titans haven’t had much success this season, but there is one game left on the schedule that many in the organization would like to win: Sunday’s home game with the Houston Texans.
How much does it mean? Well, the Titans will further stoke the rivalry with the team that resides in their former home Sunday by wearing the Houston Oilers uniforms for the second and final time this season. Of course, that’s a hot-button topic in Houston, where fans feel like they are entitled to the Oilers name and logos, despite the truth that they belong to the Adams family and the Titans franchise.
First down
Monitor C.J. Stroud. The Titans will have their hands full with Stroud, who will easily win NFL Rookie of the Year, but that’s if he plays. Stroud went into the concussion protocol at the end of the Texans’ loss to the Jets, putting his status up in the air for this game. If he plays, the dynamic QB must be contained in some form or fashion.
Second down
Give more to Levis. Will Levis has shown maturity for a rookie since taking the reins as the Titans starting quarterback. As the season goes on, the Titans should probably lean more and more on Levis to see exactly how much he can handle and what they need him to improve on going forward.
Third down
Run the football. Derrick Henry has shown that he can still be effective, and he is closing in on another 1,000-yard season. And while it would require some serious making up to catch Christian McCaffrey to win another rushing title, the Titans might as well let Henry make a run at it. What else are they playing for in the final four games?
Fourth down
Keep playing hard. The Titans might not be very good, but they haven’t quit fighting and playing hard for Coach Mike Vrabel and his staff. That’s a good sign, because that means the message is still getting through, even if the results aren’t there.