Titans vs. Texans: Reasons for optimism and concern for Tennessee
Optimism: Texans might rest their starters
There’s nothing better than having to play a “win and in” game against a team with nothing to play for, which is what the Titans could be facing in Week 17.
Should the Chiefs beat the Los Angeles Chargers, the Texans will be locked into the No. 4 seed no matter what, giving them nothing to play for.
And, the good news is that the Titans-Texans game was moved to 3:25 p.m. CST and will take place after the Chiefs-Chargers game at noon CST. By the time the Titans and Texans kick off, Houston will know just how much the game means.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has said the team plans to play to win, but who knows what form that could take on Sunday. The truth is, the Texans are dealing with some injuries right now and could choose to err on the side of caution and rest their starters.
#Titans should expect/prepare to face #Texans starters despite Houston likely ending up with the 4th seed regardless of a win or loss. Bill O'Brien says 'every game they go into they play to win.' Still a chance starters other than Will Fuller don't play if KC beats the Chargers.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 23, 2019
Wide receiver Will Fuller is expected to miss this game with a groin injury, and quarterback Deshaun Watson is dealing with an ankle issue. Houston would certainly be better served to give Watson time to heal up before the playoffs.
Of course, it’s also possible the Texans want to spoil the season of their division rival no matter the outcome of Chiefs-Chargers, so there’s no telling how O’Brien and Co. will approach this situation.
No matter what, the possibility stands that Tennessee could see Houston’s backups in Week 17, which would obviously make things much easier.