NEXT STEPS
How Texans plan to build on success and resolve key issues ahead of Titans matchup
Nov 20, 2024, 11:27 am
The Texans host the Titans this Sunday. Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images.
Even with Nico Collins back, Joe Mixon remained the star of Houston’s offense in a win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
Mixon had another big game to lead Houston to the 34-10 victory, running for 109 yards and three touchdowns with 44 yards receiving as the Texans (7-4) ended a two-game skid.
Collins helped the Texans to the win with four receptions for 54 yards in his return after missing five games with a hamstring injury.
It was the sixth straight game with at least one touchdown run for Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, which ties a franchise record. He’s had at least 100 yards rushing in six of his eight games this season and his nine rushing touchdowns in the past six games are a franchise record for a six-game span.
“Joe has been amazing,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “He’s been somebody who came in, taught guys how to win more … he taught guys what it takes to get to that goal. We are not there yet, but we are taking strides.”
Mixon gave Houston an early lead with a 45-yard touchdown run on the first drive and he made it 14-0 with a 1-yard scamper later in the first quarter. His third score on another 1-yard run extended the lead to 34-10 in the fourth.
“Joe, when he’s on, he’s a force for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Over 100 yards, three touchdowns, I just really liked the way we just kept churning it in the run game.”
Mixon's performance helped the Texans solve the second-half woes that had plagued them in the past four games. They scored 17 points after halftime Monday after managing just 15 points combined in the second half of the previous four games.
What's working
Mixon has completely transformed Houston’s running game this season. The Texans surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark as a team just seven times last season. Houston averaged just 96.88 yards rushing a game last season and has averaged 137.75 yards rushing in the eight games Mixon has played in this season.
What needs help
Stroud threw for 257 yards Monday night, but did not have a touchdown pass. He has just one touchdown pass with three interceptions in the past three games combined after throwing four with just one interception in the previous three games.
Collins was open on a long pass in the first quarter Monday night, but Stroud overthrew him and it was intercepted on the Dallas 12.
Stock up
DE Derek Barnett had a strip-sack of Cooper Rush in the fourth quarter Monday night. The ball was recovered by Dallas offensive lineman Tyler Guyton, but Jalen Pitre knocked the ball out of his hands and Barnett picked it up and dashed 28 yards for a touchdown.
“Derek Barnett, the play he made really changed the game for us,” Ryans said. “They flipped the momentum and got everybody juiced up on the sideline. It was just a huge play.”
Barnett is the sixth defensive lineman in franchise history to score on a fumble return and the second in the NFL this season after Travon Walker had one for the Jaguars on Nov. 3.
Stock down
LT Laremy Tunsil negated a 77-yard touchdown reception by Collins on the first play of the game Monday after being flagged for being an ineligible man downfield. It was the 14th penalty of the season for Tunsil, which leads the NFL.
Injuries
DE Will Anderson Jr. missed a second straight game with an ankle injury. … T Blake Fisher could return Sunday after missing Monday’s game with a concussion.
Key number
11 — Derek Stingley had an interception Monday night to give Houston 11 interceptions in its past six games.
Next steps
The AFC South-leading Texans return to division play Sunday with a visit from Tennessee (2-8) before a trip to Jacksonville (2-9) on Dec. 1. Houston needs to take care of business against these struggling teams before its bye with a stretch of three games in 10 days against Miami, Kansas City and Baltimore coming after the off week.
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Tennessee (2-8) at Houston (7-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Texans by 8 1/2.
Against the spread: Tennessee 1-9; Houston 5-5-1.
Series record: Titans lead 23-21.
Last meeting: Texans beat Titans 26-3 on Dec. 31, 2023, in Houston.
Last week: Titans lost to Vikings 23-13; Texans beat Cowboys 34-10.
Titans offense: overall (25), rush (18), pass (29), scoring (28).
Titans defense: overall (2), rush (12), pass (1), scoring (26).
Texans offense: overall (14), rush (13), pass (14), scoring (14).
Texans defense: overall (4), rush (9), pass (6), scoring (11).
Turnover differential: Titans minus-11, Texans plus-8.
Titans player to watch
QB Will Levis. He doesn't have a win yet in his two games back since missing three straight with a sprained AC joint in his right, throwing shoulder. But the second-year quarterback has completed 64.8% of his passes (35 of 54) for 470 yards with three TD passes and only one interception. He's also been using his legs on designed runs as well as scrambling 12 times for 59 yards. He's also been sacked 12 times since his return. Last week, Levis tied the franchise record for the longest TD pass first set in 1962 with a 98-yard catch-and-run to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. That also was the longest play in the NFL this season.
Texans player to watch
RB Joe Mixon had 153 yards of offense and a season-high three touchdowns Monday night. He ran for 109 yards and had 44 yards receiving. He has had at least 90 yards from scrimmage in six straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL. Mixon has had at least 100 yards rushing in six of his eight games this season and his nine rushing touchdowns in the past six games are a franchise record for a six-game span.
Key matchup
The Texans pass rush against a Tennessee offensive line that has allowed 33 sacks, 27 of those with Levis in the game. Right tackle has been a revolving door for the Titans with three different starters and five players who've rotated into that spot. Nicholas Petit-Frere got back into the starting lineup last week only to split the reps almost evenly with Isaiah Prince, who was flagged three times for illegal formation. The Texans have sacked Levis eight times in two games last season.
Key injuries
Titans: CB L'Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) will miss a fifth straight game. ... RB Tyjae Spears is in the concussion protocol. ... Houston DE Will Anderson is expected to return after missing two games with an ankle injury. ... DE Denico Autry missed practice this week with a knee injury. ... CB Kamari Lassiter should return after missing a game in the concussion protocol.
Series notes
The Texans have won three straight in this rivalry between the team they replaced in Houston after the old Oilers relocated to Tennessee in 1997. They became the Titans in 1999, and they've been divisional foes since realignment in 2002. ... The Titans are 11-11 at NRG Stadium in Houston. ... Before the Texans' most recent win in this series, the previous four games all were decided by no more than a touchdown.
Stats and stuff
The Texans are among six AFC teams with at least seven wins or more and are chasing their second straight South title. ... This starts a two-game road swing for the Titans against teams with a combined record of 14-8. ... Westbrook-Ikhine leads the Titans with five TD catches all in the past six games. He had his third career 100-yard receiving performance last week with 117 yards. ... The Titans allowed 82 yards rushing last week with an average of 2.5 yards per carry. ... OLB Arden key has five sacks over the past five games. ... Titans K Nick Folk has made an NFL record streak of 84 field goals on attempts of less than 40 yards. ... Folk has 396 field goals and needs four more to tie for 14th-most all time. That also would make him the third active kicker with at least 400 field goals with Justin Tucker and Matt Prater. ... Texans QB C.J. Stroud threw for 257 yards and had 26 yards rushing against Dallas. Stroud is 6-1 in his past seven starts at home with a 90 or better passer rating in six of those games. Stroud has thrown 14 TD passes and rushed for another score with a 114.5 passer rating in eight starts in the AFC South. ... WR Nico Collins has had at least 50 yards receiving in each of his six games this season and his past 10 overall, including the playoffs. ... DE Danielle Hunter had three TFLs and two sacks last week. He has 7 1/2 sacks this season and is only the seventh NFL player since 1982 with at least six sacks in each of his first nine seasons. ... DE Denico Autry had a sack last week. Autry had 28 1/2 sacks over his past three seasons with the Titans. ... CB Derek Stingley is tied for third in the NFL with 12 passes defended this season.
Fantasy tip
Collins had four receptions for 54 yards last week in his return after missing five games with a hamstring injury. He would have had a lot more, but a 77-yard touchdown reception on the game's opening play was called back because of an ineligible man downfield. He leads the NFL by averaging 103.5 yards receiving a game.