Tennessee Titans: Instant analysis of Week 17 win over Texans
Here’s some instant analysis of the Tennessee Titans’ 35-14 Week 17 win over the Houston Texans.
The Tennessee Titans are officially playoff bound after their Week 17 victory over the Houston Texans.
Despite resting their starters, the Texans were able to keep it close for much of the game; however Tennessee’s offense always remained a step ahead and began to create separation late in the second half. King Henry would go on to slam the door shut on the Titans’ division rival.
The win sets the Titans up with a showdown in Foxboro next week.
Let’s get to the analysis.
Offense
–Ryan Tannehill threw just 20 passes in the winning effort, as Tennessee was able to go run-heavy in the second half to secure the win. Tannehill completed 65 percent of his throws for 198 yards and two scores, and his ability to extend plays and make throws across his body was on full display. He also added 20 rushing yards on five attempts.
-King Henry was back to his old self again in Week 17. Not only did he dominate for 211 yards and three scores to win the 2019 rushing title, he also looked healthy doing it and it appears the week off did him plenty of good.
-The Titans’ O-line didn’t allow a single sack, and whether it was Henry, Dion Lewis or Jonnu Smith carrying the rock, there was plenty of space to run.
-A.J. Brown crossed the 1,000-yard mark on a pass from none other than Marcus Mariota, and he also exploded for a 51-yard touchdown reception. The Ole Miss product finished the day with 124 receiving yards, and his impressive rookie campaign ends with him having totaled 100 receiving yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last six games.
Defense
-Derick Roberson needs more snaps moving forward. He totaled his third sack of the season in Week 17, and he now has three in the two games in which he has played snaps on defense. That mark gives him the fourth-most on the team.
-Overall, it was a better day for the defense in terms of getting pressure. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees was dialing up plays to create pressure on AJ McCarron and it led to four sacks.
-It’s hard to judge where the secondary is right now considering the Texans didn’t have their starting quarterback and three best receivers on the field. The story remains the same: the Titans need Adoree’ Jackson if they’re going to play their best defense.