Titans @ Texans
Final Score: Titans 28, Texans 25
Writer: Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)
The Tennessee Titans came into Houston with a first-round bye on their mind. They were only needing to win against one of the worst teams in the league to secure home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Texans didn’t get the memo to roll over and let the Titans win in this game, as the gritty Texans squad battled back from 21 down to make this a game. In the end, the Titans got the ball last and were able to seal the victory and home-field advantage. The game result was Tennessee Titans 28, Houston Texans 25.
Tennessee Titans
Quarterback
Ryan Tannehill: 23/32, 287 yards, 4 TD | 2 carries, -2 yards
WHAT. A. PLAY. RYAN. TANNEHILL. 🔥
— Action Network NFL (@ActionNetNFL) January 9, 2022
Ryan Tannehill started this game on fire. On the second drive for the Titans, Tannehill threw a dart to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for 29 yards. After a missed field goal, Tannehill got back onto the field and completed all six of his passes for 74 yards, taking a drive that started on the Titans’ six and turning it into six for the Titans. This was the first of three straight TD drives to end the half for the Titans. Tannehill got back on the field, this time throwing the ball exclusively to AJ Brown for three catches, 48 yards, and a 14 yard TD. After a pass interference call on an interception, Tannehill finished the half scoring his third TD of the day.
The second half opened up with the Titans taking their foot off the gas and allowing the Texans to get back into the game. There were three straight punts, one sack, and a fumble that was recovered by D’Onta Foreman and three consecutive scoring drives by Houston. That’s all it took to wake up Tannehill in this game. In the second to last drive, Tanny was nearly sacked but stayed up and got it out to Westbrook-Ikhine for 36 yards to set up a game-sealing TD to Julio Jones.
Ryan Tannehill had his best week with all of his weapons and looked good going into the bye week. This Titans squad with Derrick Henry coming back will be a tough out and even might be a serious Superbowl contender at this point.
Running Back
D’Onta Foreman: 21 carries, 69 yards| 2 targets, 1 reception, 15 yards
Dontrell Hillard: 9 carries, 57 yards | 1 target, 1 reception, 1 yard
D’Onta Foreman is an excellent back who has stepped up in Derrick Henry‘s absence. In this game, his explosive runs were drive starters. Foreman should’ve had a touchdown in this game, but it was taken away by an illegal substitution penalty. That play followed a short pass where Foreman hurdled a defender and landed at the one-yard line. It really felt like Foreman should have come away with a touchdown on that possession.
D'Onta Foreman WHOOP
— Action Network NFL (@ActionNetNFL) January 9, 2022
Foreman was given the ball four times in the red zone and couldn’t get the TD in this one; outside of his direct snap fumble, Foreman was pretty much rock solid. Dontrell Hillard was a significant change of pace back in this game and was even more efficient with his runs. These guys have earned a role in this offense in the future, even with King Henry returning to his castle.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine: 5 targets, 4 receptions, 78 yards, TD
A.J. Brown: 6 targets, 4 receptions, 68 yards, TD
Julio Jones: 9 targets, 5 receptions, 58 yards, TD
Anthony Firkser: 4 targets, 4 receptions, 56 yards, TD
Khari Blasingame: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Chester Rogers: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 4 yards
Love to see it. @1kalwaysopen_
📺: Watch #TENvsHOU on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/WD63UI5WFv
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 9, 2022
A.J. Brown had an effective day on Sunday, with most of his production coming on the fourth drive of the day. Brown caught all three of his targets for 48 yards and a 14 yard TD to put the Titans up 14-0. Julio Jones also had one of his best days as a Titan, scoring his first touchdown of the season/as a Titan. The most reliable receiver on the field was Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who reeled in four of his five targets for 78 yards and a TD. He made his biggest play on the last scoring drive for Titans as he was the recipient of a 36-yard catch and Run to set up the game-sealing TD. Anthony Firkser had a fine day bringing in all four of his targets for 56 yards and scoring the first TD of the game. This was the most efficient game for the Titans receiving unit, and if they can carry this over to the playoffs, then the Titans are one of the most complete teams and a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.
Houston Texans
Quarterback
Davis Mills: 23/33, 301 yards | 4 carries, 12 yards
Davis Mills has been doing things he didn’t do in college, or the first half of this #Texans season.
Extending the play outside of the pocket and finding the wide open Amendola. We got a game 👀 pic.twitter.com/2W3VXnPpx8
— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) January 9, 2022
Davis Mills played a game of two halves. Mills was seven of fourteen for 61 yards in the first half and was missing passes left and right. On the other hand, the second half was a wild ride from the get-go, as we saw Mills do a complete 180. The first drive of the second half opened up with Mills completing six of seven passes for 59 yards and a perfectly executed flea-flicker TD to Chris Moore. This opened up the game for the Texans to make a comeback, and Houston took full advantage of this opportunity on the next drive, with Mills connecting with Nico Collins twice for 37 yards on the drive. This included a batted pass that could’ve been intercepted if not for the awareness of Collins, who came back to the ball and snagged it for 13 yards.
After a field goal, the Texans went back to work with Mills putting a 37-yard bomb on Danny Amendola and finding Collins for 30 yards, setting up a seven-yard TD for Amendola as well as a two-point conversion for the age-less slot receiver. After a touchdown from the Titans, the Texans needed to score to stay in the game, and that’s what they did on their final drive. Mills got back to work with Amendola, hitting him on three straight passes for 52 yards and his second TD of the game.
Mills has a future in the NFL. I feel like he’s been better than some of the higher drafted quarterbacks for sure, and he’s maybe in the worst situation as far as weapons. Overall he’s just a good pocket passer who can move a little and is stoic on the field.
I look forward to watching him next year.
Running Back
David Johnson: 5 carries, 28 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 8 yards
Rex Burkhead: 12 carries, 24 yards | 4 targets, 3 receptions, 42 yards
David Johnson's longest run of the season….. pic.twitter.com/ROMWAN5Drr
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) January 9, 2022
David Johnson had his best run of the season on the final drive for Texans, as he turned back the clock to peel off a 15-yard run and get his team in an excellent position to score a touchdown. Rex Burkhead proved that he still has something to offer to a football team this year, and today he provided a dual-threat running back. He ran the ball efficiently, but the game plan shifted at half to a more pass-centric offense. Burkhead’s 20-yard reception on the first drive of the second half helped jump-start the offense. While I don’t know if this is the end for one or both of these backs, I will say I enjoyed the mini-renaissance that Burkhead had this year.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Danny Amendola: 8 targets, 7 receptions, 113 yards, 2 TD
Nico Collins: 8 targets, 3 receptions, 67 yards
Chris Moore: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards, TD
Brandin Cooks: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards
Anthony Auclair: 1 target, 1 reception, 7 yards
"Danny Amendola turning back the clock!" pic.twitter.com/9ehfZCitAh
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) January 9, 2022
On Sunday, Danny Amendola had a game, more like a second half, as Brandin Cooks‘ injury exit signaled more playing time for the old vet. He stepped up to the tune of 113 yards, two TDs and a two-point conversion. Amendola looked rejuvenated out there, catching three passes of 20 or more yards. Amendola capped off his big day with a 26-yard seam to the house for his second score of the game. Nico Collins had plenty of success with the deep ball in this game to close out his rookie season. He was getting hit on a 31-yard and 23-yard pass while coming back to snag a batted ball for 13. His targets and usage are promising for 2022, and Collins is someone to look out for next year. Brandin Cooks left this game with a knee injury and finished with his worst performance of the season with three catches and 26 yards. After another 1,000 yard season, it’ll be interesting to see if he remains a Houston Texan in 2022. Chris Moore’s best catch in this game was a 28-yard flea-flicker pass from Davis Mills.
— Justin Herrera (@Semtexmex93 on Twitter)