Yes, it's Week 14 of the NFL season, and the Texans have yet to play one of their biggest rivals. That changes on Sunday.
That's because the Texans visit Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans. Both teams are 8-5 on the season, and after a bad loss to Denver last Sunday, the Texans find themselves tied with Tennessee at the top of the AFC South. Wide receiver Deandre Hopkins knows there is a lot on the line and doesn't mind the high stakes situation the team finds itself in.
"I love it. I love the pressure. The team likes it as well," Hopkins said.
The Titans have turned their season around. After a 4-5 start the team has reeled off four consecutive wins. Ryan Tannehill has replaced Marcus Mariota as the Tennesse quarterback and performed like the first round pick the former Texas A&M star was before he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Running back Derrick Henry has ran for more than 1,200 yards and has scored 13 touchdowns. The Titans are coached by former Texans assistant Mike Vrabel, and his old boss, Bill O'Brien, isn't surprised at his success.
"He did a great job here. He's doing a really good job there. He's a great leader. He's a good football coach," O'Brien stated.
Quarterback Deshaun Watson says the Texans will need to avoid the kind of mistakes they were unable to avoid last Sunday if they want to be the Titans on the road.
"The biggest thing is really just no self inflicted penalties," Watson stated.
The Texans and Titans will also meet in the regular season finale on December 29th. Sunday's kickoff is at Noon.