Texans 19 – Titans 16
The Texans went into Nashville to play to Titans or should I call them the Oilers because they wore the old Houston Oilers uniforms. I used to be an Oilers fan until they moved, so these games are always difficult for me. Without CJ Stroud the Texans chances to win were as good as Case Keenum’s arm could carry them. Case Keenum, who hadn’t started a game since the 2021 season, led Houston to a 19-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Earl Campbell, the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back with the Oilers and the NFL MVP in 1979, attended and visited pregame with the franchise’s current rushing leader Eddie George and current running back Derrick Henry.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime.
It wasn’t until the second half that Keenum and company started to make plays. Case relied on Devin Singletary and finally found Dalton Shultz to get down the field for a field goal.
The Titans didn’t go away. Even though Derrick Henry (9 yards on 16 carries) had a rough day overall, Levis found Hopkins and later Henry on a short gain to keep their drive alive. Nick Folk kicked a 45 yard field goal to make it 9-16 in the fourth.
With the Texans next drive, Case Keenum found Shultz for 2 first downs. Soon after on third and goal Keenum connected with Noah Brown for a touchdown to tie the score 16-16.
Both teams could not come up with a drive to end the game. Keenum was sacked to end regulation.
The Titans elected to receive the ball in overtime. Their drive went no where. Levis was sacked once by Greenard and then by veteran Jerry Hughes. On their next drive of O.T., rookie quarterback Will Levis left with 1:49 left in overtime after being sacked for the seventh time with his left leg caught underneath him in the pile. He didn’t put pressure on the leg as he was helped off initially, then walked off. He was jogging on the sideline after a check in the medical tent.
Devin Singletary ran for 121 yards and nearly finished the game with a 34-yard TD run in the final seconds of overtime. His run was wiped out by a holding call on John Metchie, setting up Fairbairn’s field goal to win 19-16.
Fairbairn, in his first game back after missing the last five with an injured quadriceps muscle, helped the Texans claw back. He made field goals of 23, 27 and 53 yards as the offense stalled close to the goal line.
The Texans entered the day one spot outside of the AFC’s seven-team playoff field. They kept pace by winning without several key players, including Stroud — their standout rookie quarterback — along with top receiver Nico Collins, right tackle George Fant and a pair of defensive starters out injured.
Next week I hope to celebrate Christmas with another win, when the Browns come to NRG stadium. Merry Christmas.
