Texans vs Titans: Final Thoughts and Score Prediction

The Texans have opportunity to methodically take a step

C.J. Stroud will make his return to play the Titans. This is hopefully the start of a streak of domination for Stroud against the Titans.

That opportunity will come in the next few years. The Texans have an opportunity to take a big leap. The team has run through even the highest expectations to this point. They can shatter the expectations of 2023 and set a new floor of expectations in the coming weeks.

The playoffs seemed like a far-fetched dream for 2024, and a near certainty in 2025. Here they sit within the grasp in the coming weeks in the first season of the DeMeco Ryans and C.J. Stroud era.

The lowly Titans are the first of a two-step needed to dance into the playoffs. This is a beaten and broken Tennessee team. They’re lightly talented and hobbling to the end of this season, but don’t sleep on a wounded animal.

The Titans surely have adjusted from two weeks ago when the Texans dominated them in the ground game. Houston is also dealing with a ton more injuries than two weeks ago with the starting defensive line basically all dealing with an injury. A repeat performance like that doesn’t seem likely.

Quarterback Will Levis returns to action after a week away. DeMeco Ryans had plenty to confuse the rookie quarterback two weeks ago, and that will continue. Levis had most of his success early but was constantly pressured and made mistakes later. He isn’t to be feared this season, it remains to be seen if he will in the coming seasons.

The defense has a tougher task, though not hard. The offense should slice through the Titans. Yes, C.J. Stroud may need to knock off a little rust. No, I’m not worried about the Texans scoring against this Titans team. Would I be a little worried for the final stretch if the offense was similar to two weeks ago? You bet.

This would be the worst loss of the season, and derail those playoff hopes. It would throw into doubt some of the progress we have seen from the Texans to this point. It will be a lesser Titans team than two weeks ago against a better Texans team. I wouldn’t question the direction of the team but it would be another in a long line of losses that heavily disappointed.

Rarely does a game present so little with a win and so much despair with a loss, but here the Texans are in week 17 of the season. Two wins, and they’re in, but can’t them both without the one today.

Score Prediction

The Texans will win 45-21. I am throwing it back to 2014 with this one. Ryan Fitzpatrick returned to the lineup after missing two games and threw six touchdowns against the Titans at NRG stadium. Let’s see C.J. Stroud and his teammates repeat history. I don’t see how the Titans score enough to keep up with the Texans, even if it isn’t the incredible repeat of Fitzpatrick’s wonderous day. Sure, Will Levis can get it deep and Derrick Henry will be better but I don’t see a lot of points from the Titans. I do see a lot of points from the Texans.

GO or NO GO Predictions

The Texans had five players questionable on Friday’s final injury report.

Here is my best guess on who will actually play.

DT Maliek Collins - GO - He’s tough and a veteran who you can trust despite not practicing this week. (UPDATE: Collins is OUT for the Texans.)

CB Steven Nelson - GO - He’s played after not practicing before but three different injuries aren’t easy to overcome.

DE Will Anderson - NO GO - He practiced on Friday but the ankle is something that can easily get re-injured. I believe he will get held out and get ready for the Colts. (UPDATE: Anderson is ACTIVE for the Texans. Great news.)

FB Andrew Beck - GO - He’s the only option at fullback. (UPDATE: Beck is OUT for the Texans.)

DT Sheldon Rankins - GO - A little practice means he has a great chance to play.

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