Titans vs. Texans: Everything to know from Houston's disappointing ...

25 Nov 2024

Texans Wire

Titans vs Texans Everything to know from Houstons disappointing

Here’s everything quick you need to know from the Houston Texans’ gut-wrenching loss against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon at NRG Stadium.

Will Levis wasn’t perfect, but the Houston Texans were incomplete.

Levis threw for 278 yards and two touchdown passes to give the Tennessee Titans a 3227 road win over the Texans. Houston falls to not only 7-5 overall but 0-2 in their past two games at home.

Even with C.J. Stroud’s two interceptions, the Texans had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 28-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. With a defensive stop, Houston had one final try to secure the comeback, but Harold Landry’s sack in the back of the end zone led to a safety.

“It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well… I’ve got to be harder on myself,” Stroud said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.”

Houston could have clinched in Week 13 with a victory over the Jaguars if it secured a win today, but instead, it’s back to being a must-win week from here on out. One game stands in their way from the bye week, but the Texans were expected to be a 10-win franchise entering December. Right now, they’ll be lucky to finish with 10 wins on the regular season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Texans’ gut-wrenching loss in Week 12:

It was over when…

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans place kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn (15) reacts after missing a field goal during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Ka’imi Fairbairn’s missed chip shot from 28 yards out was the deal-breaker. Yes, Houston had one more opportunity to score after the defense forced a three-and-out against Will Levis. Yes, C.J. Stroud’s safety tacked on two points and pushed the Texans into an onside kick for a last-second effort.

But Fairbairn has been the Texans’ x-factor. He’s made more 50-yard field goals than anyone in the league and has been from the logo. Even on the kick missed against the Detroit Lions one could argue that the snap was high.

But that was just a bad kick. A good hold, poor execution and a bad break for the usually accurate kicker.

Top performers

Nov 18, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) rushes during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Texans

Top passer: C.J. Stroud – 20-of-33, 247 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INT

Top rusher: Joe Mixon – 14 carries, 22 yards

Top receiver: Nico Collins – 5 catches, 92 yards

Top tackler: Azeez Al-Shaair – 8 tackles

Interceptions: Jimmie Ward – 1 interception, 67 yards, 1 TD, 1 PBU

Sacks: Danielle Hunter – 3 sacks, 5 TFLs

Titans

Top passer: Will Levis – 18-of-24, 278 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Top rusher: Tony Pollard – 24 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD

Top receiver: Calvin Ridley – 5 catches, 93 yards

Top tackler: Kenneth Murray – 8 tackles, 2 TFLs

Interceptions: Jarvis Brownlee Jr. 1 interception, 3 PBUs

Sacks: Harold Landry III, T’Vondre Sweat, Jeffery Simmons, Ali Gaye – 1 sack

Texans 3 stars of the game

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) celebrates with quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) and wide receiver John Metchie III (8) after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

DE Danielle Hunter – Heading into Sunday’s contest, Hunter was tied with Will Anderson Jr. for th team lead with 7.5 sacks. He stands alone and among the top three in the league with 10.5. Hunter also ranks second nationally in tackles for loss with 13.5.
DB Jimmie Ward – When the offense lost its mojo, Ward stepped into the role of leading man. His 67-yard pick-six return marked the only scoring drive by Houston in the second half. The Texans’ offense has only scored once in the final 30 minutes of games since Week 6’s win over the New England Patriots.
WR Nico Collins – While he didn’t finish with 100 yards, Collins returned to the end zone for the first time since Week 5’s win over the Buffalo Bills. The 6-foot-4 taught also caught a 56-yard vertical pass from Stroud in the second quarter to set up a Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal.

Key points

Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover (87) makes a reception during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

C.J. Stroud’s touchdown pass to Cade Stover was the first in their NFL careers but not the first in the history of football. The two were teammates at Ohio State for three seasons. Stover transitioned to tight end after his sophomore season and eventually started in 2022, hauling in five passes for points.
The Texans’ defense totaled a season-high eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Danielle Hunter ws responsible for five TFLs and three sacks. Will Anderson Jr. recorded two apiece.
Jimmie Ward’s 67-yard pick-six marks the first score for the veteran defensive back since Week 9 of the 2021 NFL season during the third quarter while as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
The Texans’ secondary allowed over 270 passing yards for the second consecutive week and third time this season.
Sunday marked the third multi-interception game of the season for Stroud and the fourth of his career.

Injuries

Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) celebrates with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) after making an interception during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Texans defensive back Jalen Pitre left before the end of the second quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. According to KPRC2 Sports’ Aaron Wilson, he’s expected to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the damage for what’s now being called a pectoral injury.

What's next for the Texans?

Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) greets Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) on the field after the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston hit the road once more for a Sunday showdown in Week 13 with the 2-9 Jacksonville Jaguars. With a win, the Texans would improve to 4-1 in AFC South play this season.

If the Texans had secured a victory at home, they could have clinched the AFC South with a win before the bye week. Houston could be in the marked for a nickel defender if Jalen Pitre misses multiple games entering December/