| In Houston's 41-7 win over Tennessee in October, Texans RB Arian Foster became just the fourth player since the AFL/NFL merger to run for at least 100 yards, have at least 100 receiving yards and get three TDs in the same game. (AP) |
Titans at Texans -- Week 4
Where: Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas (natural grass, retractable roof).
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Texans by 12
Forecast: Temperatures in the high-70s with a high chance of rain and thunderstorms.
Records: Titans (Overall: 1-2, AFC South: 0-0); Texans (Overall: 3-0, AFC South: 1-0).
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Jan. 1, 2012: Titans 23, Texans 22; Oct. 23, 2011: Texans 41, Titans 7. Series record: Titans lead series 13-6.
What matters: AFC South positioning. Sunday’s matchup against the Texans is almost a playoff game for the Titans. A loss to Houston would leave the Tennessee three back in the loss column and would present Mike Munchak’s team with an uphill battle to win the division. The Texans are one of three unbeaten teams in the NFL.
Who matters: TE Jared Cook and WR Kenny Britt. Both are nursing injuries, Cook, a sore shoulder and Britt a sprained left ankle. Although Cook is expected to play, Britt is listed as questionable. Facing a complex 3-4 scheme, the Titans will hope to spread out Wade Phillips’ defense to limit blitzes off the edge.
The Texans are banged up in the secondary. CB Johnathan Joseph (groin) and S Quintin Demps (thumb) missed practice time this week. Joseph is regarded for his press coverage, and he disguises his looks as well as any corner in the league. If Britt plays, he can expect frequent cover-3 looks (with a deep safety) and cover-4 alignments (with four defensive backs). For the Titans, it’s critical that both Britt and Cook are active.
Key matchups: Line play on both sides of the ball. Titans-Texans games are known for being a battle of attrition in the trenches. The Texans’ offensive line is adept at opening creases for RBs Arian Foster and Ben Tate on change-of-direction runs by employing cut-blocking against the front four. Titans DLs Jurrell Casey and Kamerion Wimbley said they must remain on their feet when the Texans attempt to block them low.
If not, the Texans can create pile-ups where a defensive lineman trips and takes several of his teammates out of the play. The Titans may have to pick their poison against the Texans’ offense. If Jerry Gray’s defense overcommits against the run, Texans’ QB Matt Schaub could burn them on play-action fakes and bootlegs.
On offense, the Titans’ zone-blocking scheme features many of the same concepts used by the Texans’ offensive line. RT David Stewart and RG Leroy Harris must prevent DE J.J. Watt from pushing them back four to five yards with his bull rush.
Injuries of note: LB Colin McCarthy (ankle) has resumed running individually but didn’t participate in team drills all week. McCarthy will be out for the third straight week. RB Javon Ringer could be active for the first time this season after suffering an elbow infection in Week 1. Schaub hasn’t experienced any reverberations from a vicious hit by Broncos LB Joe Mays last week. Schaub has practiced all week, despite shoulder and elbow injuries. Foster was limited by a knee injury Wednesday but was a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. Texans WR Andre Johnson has been limited by a groin injury all week.
Inside stuff: Sunday’s officiating crew is headed by referee Carl Cheffers. When Cheffers earned a promotion from side judge to referee in 2008, then NFL head of officiating Mike Pereria described Cheffers as being “very knowledgeable of the rules." Still, even the regular referees aren’t perfect. Cheffers appeared to be confused of the proper call on an unnecessary roughness penalty in the fourth quarter of a Texans-Cowboys’ game in 2010.
Connections: Munchak was selected by the Oilers in the first round of the 1982 NFL Draft and was later named to the 1980s NFL All-Decade Team. Munchak was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Offensive line coach Bruce Matthews also enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the Oilers (1983-2001) and spent two seasons with the Texans as an offensive assistant (2009-2010). Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips served as a defensive assistant with the Oilers (1976-80) under his father, Bum.
Stat you should know: Against an explosive Lions’ offense last week, CB Alterraun Verner allowed just 4.8 yards on six receptions, according to ProFootballFocus.com. The third-year cornerback has been spectacular this season. Verner will face another challenge Sunday if he’s lined up against Johnson. Houston TEs Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham are an integral part of their offense. Their presence might prevent Gray from playing his safeties 20-25 yards off the line. If that’s the case, the Titans’ secondary may be susceptible to the deep ball vs. Johnson.
Record watch: Tennessee hasn't allowed a sack in each of the past two weeks. The Titans haven't gone three consecutive games without allowing one since 2008.
Looking ahead: The Titans don’t have a bye until mid-November but have the Thursday night game in Week 6. After facing the Steelers on Oct. 11, the Titans will have 10 days off.
Prediction: Texans 34, Titans 31.
For more up-to-the minute news and analysis on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.