Titans vs. Texans: Staff picks and predictions for Week 17

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans shakes hands with head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans after the game at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Houston defeats Tennessee 24-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 15: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans speaks to head coach Bill O’Brien of the Houston Texans prior to a game against at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

John Lowell (Contributor)

Tennessee has to win this game — period.

Regardless of the result of the Chiefs/Chargers game, the Titans must prepare to slug it out with Houston at full force. Texans head coach Bill O’Brien has spoken all week about playing to win, but the injury report tells a different story.

QB Deshaun Watson and WR DeAndre Hopkins are both listed as questionable, and I have a sneaking suspicion that if the Chiefs emerge victoriously, O’Brien will rest his stars. That is the best-case scenario for the Titans, and even so, they can’t afford to come out flat-footed.

This is where things feel different for the Titans — in coaching. HC Mike Vrabel will have his guys ready to go, and I expect the Titans to play lights-out. The effort will be there, and the will to win will catapult this team to the playoffs.

Final score prediction: Titans 24, Texans 14

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