The Houston Texans’ offense didn’t shred the Tennessee Titans’ defense in their 24-21 win at Nissan Stadium Sunday per se, but things did come easier after a slow start.
The Texans averaged 8.4 yards per attempt in the victory. They converted 50% of their third downs as compared to the Titans’ 40%, won the time of possession battle (31:20 to 29:40) and, as tends to happen in every win, outscored the opposition.
Part of Houston’s success can be attributed to who plays, specifically speed merchant wide receiver Will Fuller.
Fuller returned with a recovery hamstring following a one-game hiatus. His impact far outweighs his five receptions for 61 yards stat line. His fellow pass-catchers would be the first to tell you that.
“Having Will out there helps this whole offense,” receiver DeAndre Hopkins told reporters after the game. “He is a guy that you have to keep your eye on downfield making plays.”
While the Titans’ defense keyed-in on the deep-bomb potential that is Fuller, Hopkins, a two-time All-Pro, ripped apart single coverage, averaging 3.62 yards of separation, per NFL Next Gen Stats. He finished with six receptions for 119 yards.
Wide receiver Kenny Stills also found production with Fuller playing. Though his reception and yard numbers aren’t as gaudy as Hopkins’ (three catches for 33 yards), his touchdown total of two certainly is.
Stills wasn’t surprised by his production on Sunday. Fuller gives defenses headaches — Hopkins, Stills and Fuller is a tough trio to stop. Top that with a 1,000-yard rusher in Carlos Hyde and red zone threat tight end Darren Fells, and the Texans have an offense that can strike fear in any opponent.
“It’s not surprising at all,” said Stills. “We’re kind of like a three-headed monster, and then you have the backs and the tight ends. We put a lot of pressure on defenses and we know that. We just have to stop hurting ourselves, and execute, and stop turning the ball over.”
The Texans are now 7-2 in games that Fuller completes.
