The Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans will do battle in Week 15 at Nissan Stadium in what will be the first of two meetings between these division rivals.
Adding a little extra juice to this game, the Titans will be rocking their Oilers throwbacks, which is sure to set off Houston sports fans even more than it normally does.
The Titans enter this game with a head of steam after knocking off the Miami Dolphins in Week 14 in what was the biggest upset in the NFL this season and one of the most improbable comebacks in league history.
Tennessee is looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this year, and for the first time since Weeks 10 and 11 of last season.
The Texans are coming off what was their worst showing of the season after they lost to the New York Jets, 30-6. Adding to that, Houston lost some key players who may not suit up in this game.
The most notable, of course, is Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite, C.J. Stroud, whose absence would rob us all of a fantastic matchup between two of the league’s up-and-coming quarterbacks, with Will Levis being the other.
Now a look at six things to know for this contest.
It's Oilers week!
Texans fans — and Houston sports fans in general — are not thrilled that the Titans are able to wear Oilers throwbacks, so the fact that they’ll be wearing them against the Texans in Week 15 will only them more angry.
On top of rocking Oilers jerseys, the Titans will also be inducting franchise legend Billy “White Shoes” Johnson into the franchise’s Ring of Honor.
This is the second game this season in which the Titans have worn their throwbacks, with the first coming in a Week 8 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Titans are favored
The Titans being favored over an opponent has been a rare occurrence this season, but according to BetMGM, Tennessee is a three-point favorite over Houston for Week 15.
The main reason behind that is the fact that the Texans have injury concerns with some of their best players (more on that shortly).
The Titans and Texans have identical records when it comes to covering the spread (6-7) and hitting the over (5-8).
Head-to-head history
This will be the 43rd meeting between these two franchises, with the Titans sporting a 23-19 record over their division rival. Houston won the last meeting in 2022, but the Titans have won five of the last seven.
Texans' injury concerns
As we previously mentioned, Houston has some major injury concerns on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion), wide receiver Nico Collins (calf) and edge rusher Will Anderson (ankle) are all in danger of missing this game after not practicing the first two days of the week.
Not practicing Blake Cashman, Will Anderson Jr., Nico Collins, George Fant, C.J. Stroud and Tavierre Thomas. Practicing today Laremy Tunsil, Shaq Mason, Dalton Schultz, Noah Brown, Robert Woods.@KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/CbzFO3JZFx
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 14, 2023
If Stroud sits, veteran Davis Mills will take the reins under center, but he’s a clear downgrade from the rookie phenom. Collins’ absence would be a huge blow to Houston’s offense, no matter who is under center, as Houston is already without impressive rookie wideout, Tank Dell.
And, it goes without saying Tennessee’s suspect-at-best offensive line will have a much easier time dealing with the Texans’ pass-rush if Anderson doesn’t play.
In three career games against Tennessee, Mills has completed 63.3 percent of his passes for 631 yards and five touchdowns to two picks, but the Texans are just 1-2 in those contests.
Derrick Henry's past dominance
Henry has dominated the Texans in recent years. Here are his per-game averages over the last five contests against Houston:
Touches: 29.6
Total yards: 215.8
Yards per touch: 7.3
Touchdowns: 2.0
Henry isn’t the only concern at running back the Texans have in this game, though. His backfield mate, Tyjae Spears, has been impressive in his rookie campaign, with the Tulane product ranked third in scrimmage yards among first-year backs.
The Texans have been good against the run, ranking eighth. However, not having Anderson and/or linebacker Blake Cashman could make for a much different showing from Houston’s run defense in this game.
Texans linebacker Blake Cashman and corner Tavierre Thomas are out at least this game against #Titans per sources, and perhaps a few weeks with strained hamstrings. @KPRC2 https://t.co/KMMxCKwLJW
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 14, 2023
DeAndre Hopkins revenge game
Hopkins became one of the best receivers in the NFL during his years with the Texans, and that was with Houston trotting out some lackluster signal-callers during his time there.
Since leaving Houston, Hopkins has faced his old mates once, tallying seven receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown in 2021 as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
While many were writing him off before the season started, Hopkins is still very much at the top of his game and has been particularly good since Levis took over the starting job in Week 8.
Nuk is currently on pace for 1,175 receiving yards, which would be the third-highest total in the Titans era. He likely would be on pace for much more had Levis been the starter from Week 1.
WR DeAndre Hopkins is on pace to have one of the best receiving season in the #Titans era.
Hopkins is currently on pace for 1,175 receiving yards, which would be the 3rd highest total since the team rebranded in 1999. pic.twitter.com/52rAIWflXs
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) December 14, 2023
