NFL Update: Week 12 Matchup Preview: Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
In the week 12 of National Football League season 2010, the Tennessee Titans (5-5) will begin four games in a row, as the Titans will travel to Houston to take on their rival Houston Texans (4-6). It will be significant matchup of AFC South Division that
will determine if the Texans can outride in the AFC playoff picture in the second half.
By beating Jacksonville Jaguars, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills in their last three-game win streak, the Titans have entered the primetime affair. In Week 10, the Titans defeated Buffalo 41-17 with quarterback Vince Young. It was a victory that incited
the ole salute from Titans owner Bud Adams from his luxury box.
At 4-6 the Houston Texans are in fourth place. The Texans have lost their last four games with the last two coming in especially difficult fashion. Last week they travelled to take on the New York Jets, and despite trailing 23-7 at one point in the fourth
quarter, they stormed back to take a 27-23 lead. However, Jets prevailed 30-27, when Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez delivered a touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes in last 10 Seconds of game.
Titans will be playing for pride and starting positions. The Titan’s key players will be focusing on the Titans defence. Players worth watching out for are rookie Corner Back (CB) Alterraun Verner, Defensive Tackle (DT) Jason Jones (who stands out as one
of the most promising and imposing young Titans defenders) may not be healthy enough to pay after spraining his ankle last week and Defensive End (DE) Jason Babin, he is relentless pass rusher with a non-stop motor who will look to provide depth at defensive
end for the Titans.
Titans had to deal with the issues since about the fourth week of the season which include QB Vince Young, who injured his right thumb in the third quarter of the last Sunday’s 19-16 and Mike Heimerdinger who is an offense coordinator has also left the team
for his cancer treatment. After these issues, any logical person obviously will have doubts about this team for the rest of the season.
NFL’s top offenses are owned by the Texans. They have players at the top of several statistical categories. Running Back (RB) Arian Foster has become the first player this season to reach the 1,000-yard mark with 1,004 rushing yards. QB Matt Schaub (2010
AFC Offensive Player of the Week 6) has gained eighth position in the NFL with 2,574 passing yards and Wide Receiver Andre Johnson has got fifth with 813 receiving yards.
The Texans offense is grounded on QB Matt Schaub and the passing game which is why the Texans are 3rd in the NFL in passing yards per game at 283.7. The problem with the Texans offense is that they often become too dependent on the passing game, which is
why the running game suffers. The good thing for the Texans offense is that they might not have to set up the run this week, since the Titans defence is ranked 30th overall and 31st versus the pass.
It’s an important chance for the Titans to show that they are legitimate playoff competitors. Their 2010 season has been a mix of impressive performances so far. However, their greater concern will be the fact that now they have an un-drafted rookie Rusty
Smith as Venice Young’s replacement for this game that might be the distraction for this team. Houston Texans’ defence has been the reason that they could not win games on a consistent basis. Texans’ defence must strengthen as the Titans make their living
running the football.
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