by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Nov 18, 2021
Game time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Titans -11
BetMGM: Titans -10.5
Caesars: Titans -10
Season record
Texans: 1-8 (Last place, AFC South)
Titans: 8-2 (1st place, AFC South)
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Texans - Titans preview and analysis
Last week
Texans: Bye (lost 17-9 at Dolphins in Week 9)
Titans: won 23-21 vs. Saints
Even without the best running back in the league, the Tennessee Titans still find ways to win.
They’re the best team in the AFC for a reason.
The Titans will try to push their winning streak to seven straight when they host the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
Even without Derrick Henry in the fold, the Titans continue to rack up wins and that’s really the endgame for this type of season. Because last Sunday’s 23-21 win over the New Orleans Saints wasn’t the prettiest, but the Titans found a way to get it done.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill accounted for two touchdowns while throwing for 213 yards to hold off a late charge from Trevor Siemian and the Saints for their sixth straight win. The victory vaulted the Titans to the top of the AFC standings at the halfway mark.
"They do know how to win, and I'm thankful for that," coach Mike Vrabel said.
That’s the key right now: The Titans have found ways to win. Even two weeks ago in that stunning win against the Los Angeles Rams in SoFI Stadium, the defense got to Matthew Stafford via the interception. Siemian threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns, but the Titans defense held the New Orleans ground game (minus Alvin Kamara) to 86 total yards on 21 carries.
Tennessee is down Henry and Julio Jones, but they’ve gotten help from the committee. A.J. Brown was held to one catch for 16 yards, but the day was dominated by Marcus Johnson with five receptions for 100 yards, both season highs.
The Texans would probably wish to have some sort of production like that. Houston has not won since Week 1 and has dropped eight straight, all in unique fashions. Last week was no exception in a 17-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins who did not have starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Tyrod Taylor, who led the Texans to that aforementioned win, returned after dealing with a hamstring injury for most of the season and threw for 240 yards and three interceptions. Yet in a game that featured nine total turnovers and Miami having one more than Houston, the Texans once again couldn’t do anything else with that.
"Usually when you get five turnovers from your defense, you expect to win," Texans coach David Culley said. "But not when you have four from your offense."
David Johnson turned back the clock with 120 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown last week, but the other playmakers were quiet. Brandin Cooks had only six receptions for 56 yards and Danny Amendola had only 49 yards.
Houston’s offense needs to be better against a Titans team that’s wounded but still has the ability to score.
Prediction
A lot has changed the last time these teams met. Deshaun Watson was the Texans’ starting quarterback and fell short 41-38. The last time they faced off in Nashville, the Titans put up 42 on the Houston defense and gave up 36 to Houston. Safe to say given the offense’s limitations, the Texans won’t be doing that. Easy, three-score win for Tennessee incoming. Titans by 17
Betting trends
The Texans are 7-14 ATS in road games over the past three seasons and 1-4 this season.
The Texans are 3-10 ATS following a road loss in its last 13.
The Titans are 11-4 straight up against division opponents this season and 9-6 ATS.
The over is 8-2 in the Titans’ last 10 November games.
Players to watch
Texans: Running back Phillip Lindsay has three straight games against AFC South teams with at least 50 yards from scrimmage.
Titans: Tight end Geoff Swaim has a touchdown reception in two of his last three games.
Statistical leaders
Texans:
Passing: Tyrod Taylor -- 656 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Phillip Lindsay -- 133 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Brandin Cooks -- 641 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Jonathan Greenard -- 7 sacks
Titans:
Passing: Ryan Tannehill -- 2,358 yards, 12 TD, 8 INT
Rushing: Derrick Henry -- 937 yards, 10 TD
Receiving: A.J. Brown -- 567 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Harold Landry -- 10 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
