The Houston Texans defense didn’t have the statistically dominant performance that they usually have had against the Tennessee Titans, but they did everything that was necessary when called upon in the 24-21 win Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium.
While the Titans out-gained the Texans 432 to 374 and also produced 75% red zone efficiency, the defense held Tennessee to 4-of-10 on third downs and 1-of-2 on fourth downs along with intercepting quarterback Ryan Tannehill once. The special teams also added a blocked field goal for good measure.
With all of that as a preamble, here are the grades.
defensive line
The defensive line may have allowed running back Derrick Henry to have a productive game with 21 carries for 86 yards, and also sacked Ryan Tannehill just once on their own as rookie defensive end Charles Omenihu dropped the quarterback on the game’s penultimate play. However, they didn’t complete buckle to the Titans’ offense. The defensive line held forth and didn’t allow the Titans to fully establish their will along the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Carlos Watkins and defensive tackle D.J. Reader led the group with four tackles apiece. Reader had a quarterback hit, as did nose tackle Brandon Dunn.
Grade: B
linebackers
If ever there was a time for Whitney Mercilus to return to the form he flashed over the first four weeks of the season, Week 15 on the road against the premier AFC South challenger would have been the time. The 29-year-old’s interception return of 86 yards to setup the Texans’ first touchdown of the game early in the second quarter was timely and impactful. Mercilus also added two tackles and a pass breakup. Inside linebackers Zach Cunningham and Benardrick McKinney were also key to the game as they split a sack and added 14 and nine tackles respectively. Brennan Scarlett, who was questionable with a shoulder injury all week, produced five tackles.
Grade: A
cornerbacks
The great thing about the injuries that hit the Texans’ cornerback group midway through the year was it forced the personnel department to scour the waiver wire and look at other teams’ rosters. Enter Gareon Conley and Vernon Hargreaves. Conley had a key pass breakup on a third-and-10 from the Houston 37 with 1:20 to go until halftime. Then, rookie cornerback Lonnie Johnson on the very next play batted away a fake punt pass intended for Dane Cruikshank, the cornerback who caught a touchdown pass on the same play in Week 2 of 2018 in a 20-17 Titans win. Johnathan Joseph produced a pass deflection, and even Bradley Roby recovered from a bad outing in Week 14 to have a pass breakup. Rookie receiver A.J. Brown did run around the Houston secondary at will with eight catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Grade: B+
safeties
Justin Reid knocking away the pass intended for tight end Anthony Firkser on a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line early in the second quarter changed the momentum of the game. Outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus intercepted the pass on a tip-drill, and it setup a 12-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Deshaun Watson to receiver Kenny Stills. It would not have been possible if not for Reid’s timely play.
Tashaun Gipson added four tackles, and Jahleel Addae produced one of his own. However, tight end Jonnu Smith caught five passes for 60 yards, and also had an end-around for 57 yards.
Grade: B+
special teams
Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn didn’t miss any of his three extra points, and he also hit a 29-yard field goal with 3:26 to go in the game to make the contest a two-score game late. Ultimately, that was the difference in the Texans coming out of Nissan Stadium 9-5 and in firm command of the AFC South.
Bryan Anger had four punts and averaged 46.3 yards per punt with three of them inside the 20-yard line.
Returner DeAndre Carter had two kickoffs that combined 54 yards with his longest going for 31. Carter had three shots at punt returns, but two were downed and the other one was fair-caught.
The real play of the game for the special teams was on Ryan Succop’s 45-yard field goal in the first quarter. Defensive end Angelo Blackson blocked the field goal, and safety A.J. Moore fell on the loose ball to obliterate Tennessee’s chance to add points first. It was part and parcel of special teams coordinator Brad Seely’s importance to the team as his decades of experience in the transition phase of the game has been helpful to Houston in finding the hidden yardage and advantages that comprise hard fought victories.
