The Tennessee Titans are coming off a disappointing 20-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars where once again the offense failed to support the defensive effort. This has been a consistent theme throughout the season no matter who is playing quarterback and it has cost the Titans dearly.
This week, the 3-13 Titans will take on the Houston Texans in an AFC South battle. The Texans are coming off a Christmas Day loss against the Baltimore Ravens and would like to get back on track prior to the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the Texans approach this week with nothing on the line.
Some Titans fans are hoping for a loss to secure draft positioning, while others despise that attitude. For those hoping for a victory, there are some reasons for optimism heading into Week 18, and here are three of them.
Passing defense
The Titans rank second in the league in passing defense and are inside the top five in all major categories against the pass. The Texans may rest quarterback C.J. Stroud and go with Davis Mills. If the Titans’ secondary can hold up against wide receiver Nico Collins, it’s possible they can force Mills (or Shroud) into some mistakes, giving the Titans a chance.
Titans rushing attack
Head coach Brian Callahan has already stated that both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph will play against the Texans. With that uncertainty and the return of Tony Pollard, the team can rely on the running game to carry the load in what should be a low-scoring affair. Pollard missed last week and will be looking to close out the season on a high note. He could have a solid afternoon and lead the Titans to victory.
It’s a divisional matchup
Games within a division are different and are almost always closer than they should be when looking solely at the statistics or the standings. This AFC South battle should be no different. The talent differential between these two teams is not as wide as their records may indicate, and the Titans already beat them once in 2024. Plus, the Texans could rest players in preparation for the Wild Card round. The Titans always want to beat the Texans (for ownership) and will be motivated to get the sweep.