The Week 15 game between the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans will be a family affair for tackle Dennis Kelly.
When the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans square off in Week 15 for first place in the AFC South, there will be two brothers standing on opposite sides of the field.
On one sideline will be Titans tackle Dennis Kelly, and on the other will be Kelly’s brother Tim, who is the offensive coordinator for the Texans.
This isn’t the first time the two brothers will be pitted against one another in the Titans-Texans rivalry, but it is the first time that Tim Kelly will be the offensive coordinator for Houston. In previous years, Tim was an assistant to Texans head coach, Bill O’Brien.
According to Mark Lane of Texans Wire, Tim does plan on catching up with his brother on the field before the game, but prior to that both Dennis and Tim are too busy preparing to beat each other in the upcoming game at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
"“During the week, we’re both pretty focused on taking care of business,” Kelly said. “I’ll make sure I go and say hello to him before the game.”"
Also per Lane, there is expected to be about 60 people specifically attending the game to root for the brothers, but Tim joked that Dennis would have to pay for his tickets.
Even with the importance of this game and everything that is in the balance, Tim made sure to note how proud he is of his brother.
"“It’s a pretty cool situation to be able to watch your brother play in the NFL, let alone have to prepare against him and get ready to play him,” said Kelly. “So, very proud of everything he’s accomplished and it’s definitely a pretty cool moment to be able to see him on the other sideline, that’s for sure.”"
Dennis finished as the No. 18 tackle in the NFL last season, per Pro Football Focus, as he was filling in for an injured Jack Conklin.
Kelly got some time as a starter at left tackle this season during Taylor Lewan‘s four-game suspension, but has since been relegated to a backup role after Lewan’s return in Week 5.
That hasn’t diminished Kelly’s importance, though, as the Titans have found out first hand just how important it is to have such a talented tackle like Kelly as depth with the injuries they have sustained along the offensive line throughout the season.
Kelly, who is set to be a free agent in 2020, is just one of many players the Titans have to make a decision on next offseason. And, with the Texans possibly looking for help on the O-line in 2020, there’s a possibility that Tim and Kelly are together in Houston next season.