The more things change, the more they stay the same.
The Houston Texans’ season wasn’t in the septic tank just yet when they prepared for the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 30 at NRG Stadium. That has changed with Houston’s 1-12-1 record.
The Texans were preparing to face rookie quarterback Malik Willis, but had to keep in mind the possibility that incumbent Ryan Tannehill may recover quickly enough to start against Houston.
That has remained the same, even as the two AFC South rivals gear up for their Week 16 encounter at Nissan Stadium.
Tannehill was listed on the injury report with an ankle injury, and was listed as a “non-participant” in Tuesday’s walkthrough.
According to linebacker Christian Kirksey, even though it appears it could be Willis’ time again, the Texans are getting ready for both scenarios.
“We know how they both play, so, we have to prepare as if they’re both going to be playing the game,” Kirksey said. “Obviously, they have two different styles, but really we have to look ourselves in the mirror and tighten up things in on our end. That’s what we’re focusing on right now.”
Willis wasn’t actually the one who did Houston in during their Week 8 encounter. The third-rounder from Liberty went 6-10 for 55 yards and an interception while adding five carries for 12 yards on the ground.
It was Derrick Henry with his 32 carries for 219 yards and two touchdowns that strangled the Texans 17-10.
The Texans defense has done well to take playoff contenders such as the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs down to the wire in the past two weeks. Kirksey wants to see if the Texans can do the same with the Titans, frontrunners in the division with a 7-7 record.
Said Kirksey: “How can we play better ball for all four quarters, or five quarters if we go to overtime? It’s all about that. That’s been our main focus, is how can we get better. Right now, we’re trying to figure that out.”
The Texans split the season series with Tennessee last season as they earned a 22-13 win over the Titans in Week 11 at Nissan Stadium in a downpour.
