Texans at Titans: Final Score Prediction and Thoughts
A game with no meaning unless the Texans give it meaning
Simple Playoff Opponent Explanation
If the Los Angeles Chargers win or tie against the Las Vegas Raiders the Texans host the Chargers.
If the Chargers lose to the Raiders the Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Houston Texans seem keen on playing key players in the meaningless game against the Tennessee Titans. I can understand some of the reasoning. DeMeco Ryans can’t be pleased with the last outing on the field. The Baltimore Ravens embarrassed the Texans on Christmas and if that was the last time the top Texans were on the field before the playoffs I certainly understand wanting to shake the stink.
Houston can’t be too risky in trying to recapture some respectability. The Ravens had little to play for as they dominated the Cleveland Browns Saturday and lost wide receiver Zay Flowers to a knee injury. Flowers now has a chance to miss the playoff game next week.
The Texans are already thin at key spots, they can’t afford any more losses. C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, and Joe Mixon are irreplaceable for the offense. Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, and Derek Stingley are equally important for the defense. They’re the six players that must leave today’s game healthy.
The new offensive line is worth watching in this one. I expect Juice Scruggs to play his third different position this season and play right guard instead of Kendrick Green. Green replaced Shaq Mason during Kansas City and produced mixed results.
Ryans intimated they desire the best five on the field and Scruggs is better than Green. This is likely the offensive line for the playoff game too. They will get a tryout before the Los Angeles Chargers or the Pittsburgh Steelers get a crack at them. Sustaining blocks is what puts the rushing attack back on track according to Ryans.
Diontae Johnson will make his Texans debut in this game. He’s been here only a moment but there is hope Johnson can raise the floor of the offense slightly. Stroud praised his ability to run routes and he’s played much more football than John Methcie and Xavier Hutchinson.
Mixon acted like Johnson’s addition was being undersold. If he’s correct the Texans are a bit more dangerous than they’ve shown the past few weeks.
Health, the offensive line, and Johnson are the top things to watch in this game.
Score Prediction
The Texans will win 19-16. The Titans have to be ready for their offseason and the Texans starters and key players who participate are looking for some revenge from the disappointing upset a few weeks ago. Tennessee is playing two quarterbacks and they both stink. The Texans might have the best and second-best quarterback in this one, and I trust Davis Mills and Dameon Pierce can close out the game late. Surely, the Texans aren’t playing their starters for more than a few series, right? Back-to-back ten-win seasons for the Texans.
Joe Mixon is the Pro Football Writers of America Houston chapter’s recipient of the Good Guy Award. The award is given annually to those who best exemplify professionalism and exceptional cooperation with the media at large.
He started this conversation by discussing the Good Guy Award compared to his selection to the Pro Bowl. Mixon’s mentality is certainly not one that makes it seem like the Texans are doomed no matter who they play in the playoffs. Thank you to KPRC for sharing their video.