The Tennessee Titans entered the Week 15 game as favorites over the Houston Texans but ended up dropping the contest in overtime, 19-16.
The Titans’ offense got off a to fast start with an 83-yard scoring drive on the opening series, but kicker Nick Folk missed the extra point, which loomed large.
Things went off the rails for the Titans offensively after that, as the unit stalled the rest of the way and failed to score another touchdown, mostly thanks to offensive coordinator Tim Kelly’s atrocious play-calling.
Thankfully, the defense was able to keep the Texans in check over the first three quarters and made several big stops in the red zone. Adding to that, the unit was able to score a touchdown on a pick-six.
Houston finally broke through in the fourth quarter and scored its first touchdown of the game, albeit with an assist on a terrible defensive pass interference call on Tre Avery. The score forced the game into overtime.
After trading failed drives, the Texans stormed down the field with some big plays in the closing minutes of the extra frame and kicked a game-winning field goal from 54 yards out to seal the win.
Now, a look at everything we know from Tennessee’s disgusting Week 15 loss to the Texans.
Final score: Texans 19, Titans 16
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | F |
| HOU | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 19 |
| TEN | 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
Titans top performers
WR Treylon Burks: 3 REC, 62 YDS
QB Will Levis: 17/26, 199 YDS, INT; 4 CAR, 25 YDS, TD
DL Denico Autry: 4 tackles (two for loss), 2 sacks
DB Elijah Molden: 3 tackles, 2 PD, INT, TD
Instant analysis: Offense
-This loss was, without question, on offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who called one of the worst games I have ever seen in my life. The biggest issue was Kelly’s insistence on running the football up the middle on early downs over and over and over and over and over and over again, despite the fact that the Texans were stuffing the run every time. That routinely set the Titans up with second- and third-and-long situations. Adding to that, Kelly didn’t even try to switch things up and go with Tyjae Spears instead of Derrick Henry, who played terribly and got no help from his offensive line. Kelly also insisted on going with screens far too often, and those were almost as ineffective as the runs up the middle. I wouldn’t blink twice if Kelly was fired after this game, that’s how bad he was. Of course, he won’t be.
-Will Levis again showed flashes with some great throws, but we also saw the rookie make some bad decisions, with his worst coming on a throw he forced to DeAndre Hopkins that he made on the run and across his body, which resulted in an interception. Making the pick worse, the rookie had Treylon Burks streaking down the sideline for what could’ve been a long touchdown. Levis also got some help from his pass-catchers, who made several tough grabs on the afternoon. The rookie had to overcome awful play-calling and the terrible pass protection, so it’s hard to get too frustrated with him. He definitely could’ve played better, though.
-As previously mentioned, the offensive line was terrible in run-blocking and pass protection, with Levis getting sacked seven times. As far as the run-blocking was concerned, Kelly’s predictable play-calling certainly made things more difficult for the group upfront.
-Treylon Burks finally showed some signs of life, with two catches of 20-plus yards, including a long of 37 that aided in Tennessee’s only touchdown drive of the day. Chris Moore and Chig Okonkwo also came through with some impressive grabs, but DeAndre Hopkins was very quiet.
Instant analysis: Defense
-The defense wasn’t very good between the 20s, as the pass-rush was quiet for much of the afternoon until surging later in the game and the secondary wasn’t very good in coverage. But the unit put the clamps on the Texans in the red zone over the first three quarters and Houston finished just 1-3 in that area, which kept the Titans in this game while the offense was completely listless. Houston also converted just 4-of-15 third-down attempts.
-The Texans gashed the Titans’ defense with the run all afternoon long, with Devin Singletary tallying 121 yards on 4.7 yards per. The Titans badly missed Teair Tart and Jeffery Simmons in this one.
-The Titans did notch a turnover thanks to a pick-six from Elijah Molden, but both Eric Garror and Roger McCreary couldn’t come up with two balls that should’ve been picked and those were huge missed opportunities that could’ve changed the outcome of the game.
Instant analysis: Special teams
-Mason Kinsey replaced Eric Garror as the punt returner but only averaged 4.3 yards per return. There should have been a flag for a late hit out of bounds on Kinsey in overtime but the refs somehow missed it. I’m not sure the offense could’ve done anything with it, anyway.
-Nick Folk missed a crucial extra point in the first quarter that would’ve at least forced the Texans to have to go for two when they scored late in the fourth quarter. Folk made his second extra point and his lone field goal attempt (45 yards).
-Ty Zentner had another strong game with 45.3 yards per punt. His best came when he dropped one near the Texans’ goal line that Tennessee was able to down at the two.
Injuries
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (hip): SMB suffered the injury in the third quarter and did not return.
QB Will Levis (ankle): Levis suffered the injury in overtime when he got his leg rolled up on after a sack. He appeared to be bad at first but Levis looked fine after the game.
Highlights
BIG GAINER @will_levis ➡️ @TreylonBurks
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Bxp5U8TNP8
— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) December 17, 2023
Free play, go up and get it!#ProBowlVote + @will_levis#ProBowlVote + Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/LUIU74Fy9p— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) December 17, 2023
Capping off an 83-yard drive with a dive into the end zone #ProBowlVote + @will_levis
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/FMasbTKPH6— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) December 17, 2023
HOUSE CALL ☎️#ProBowlVote + @ElijahMolden24
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/W7BgZ7poBo— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) December 17, 2023
10th sack of the season for the Grand Ole Autry! #ProBowlVote + Denico Autry
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/JgATh0FYgi— Titans (Oilers Version) (@Titans) December 17, 2023
What's next?
After this brutal loss, the Titans now drop to 5-9 on the season and their chances of finishing with a winning record are dead. Next up is a matchup against the Seahawks at home in Week 16.
