Titans vs. Texans predictions: Staff picks for Week 15 showdown
![INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans passes the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 01: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans passes the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1185890143-850x560-392c9d4a8f11ea81bf546c47bd7437e4ac7924284bf6b480e30f0ff31d1c8e5f.jpg)
Michael Moraitis (Co-expert)
Despite the trajectory of each of these teams, this matchup between the Texans and Titans should still be a close one. After all, you can never count out a team that has Deshaun Watson under center.
However, if we’re comparing these two teams, the Titans get the edge on defense, despite showing some cracks in recent weeks, which can be blamed on numerous injuries to the secondary. Getting LeShaun Sims back will be huge for Dean Pees’ unit.
A few months ago, saying the Titans were comparable — or even better — on offense would have bordered on blasphemous in terms of knowing football, but now you’d be crazy not to think they’re at least close now.
Since Week 7, the Titans have scored the second-most points per game (31.4) and have scored over 30 points in each of their last four contests. That’s why this matchup against a struggling Texans defense sets up perfectly.
I still think there will be plenty of points scored in this game, but Tennessee now appears to have the firepower to hang with Houston in that kind of game. With offenses being equal, the Titans will do enough on defense to edge out their division rival and take over first place.
Final score: Titans 31, Texans 28