Official Texans @ Titans Game Thread, 12/29/2013
 

The 2-13 Texans travel up to Nashville to take on the 6-9 Tennessee Titans at noon this Sunday. The Texans are coming off a 37-13 home loss to the Denver Broncos while the Titans are coming off a 20-16 road win at Jacksonville. The Texans won the first meeting between the two way back in Week 2 in OT 30-24.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, Adam Archuleta (who?)

The line = Titans by 7 to 7.5

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Week 17: rare 4 game weekend for the Houston area. Houston gets:

Early: Houston @ Tennessee (CBS), Carolina @ Atlanta (FOX)

Late: Denver @ Oakland (CBS), Tampa Bay @ New Orleans (FOX)

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Note: Gus Johnson is doing the Detroit @ Minnesota game......

Which to root for? One final middle finger to Bud Adams or sewing up the overall #1 pick?

I'll be rooting for the Texans to win, because I can't root against them especially against the flaming thumbtacks. With all the injuries though I expect the Texans to loose for the 14th straight time. smh

Sounds like Matt Schaub starting.

I'm thinking Texans will loose, but if win I'm sure all players would be happier.

Titans win the toss and defer. Texans to receive.

Martin has a nice run back all the way to the Texan 37.

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Schaub's pass to AJ gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Pass to AJ goes all the way to the Titan 45, 1st down.

Grimes goes right side for about 12 or 13.

Grimes for 2 on the left side. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Grimes gets 2. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins gets 7 and the 1st down.

Schaub pressured and throws it away but flag on the Titans for illegal contact. 5 yards and an auto 1st down at the Titan 18.

Grimes gets close to 10....Makes it 2nd and 1 at the 8 yard line.

Dump off to Hopkins goes to the 4 yard line. 1st and goal.

Grimes punches it in!

Texans 7, Titans 0

9:37 left in the 1st quarter.

I like how Grimes asked the ref if he could keep the ball.

The Titans have the edge in the starting QB's beard category.

Titans bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 25 yard line. Titan's ball.

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Fitz's pass is deflected at the LOS, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

CJ for 2. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Pass to Wright only gets 6 but roughing the passer on B Harris gives a 1st down at the Titan 49.

CJ for 2.

Fitz's pass to Wright is off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Fitz is pressured and throws inc. Titans have to punt.

Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 11 yard line. Texan's ball.

Nice gallup for first down by Schaub.

Grimes for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Dumpoff pass to Grimes gets 4. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Schaub can't find a receiver and scrambles for the 1st down at the Texan 24.

Short pass to G Jones gets 6.

Grimes gets 5 and the 1st down.

Schaub rolls out and the pass is deflected, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up at the Texan 35.

Pass to AJ gets 13 and a 1st down.

Pass to Griffin goes to the Titan 35 yard line.

Grimes gets caught in the backfield, loss of 4. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Pass to AJ is broken up, inc. 3rd and 14 coming up.

Flags presnap, false start Newton -5. Makes it 3rd and 19 coming up.

Schaub rolls out and can't find a receiver and throws it away, inc. Texans to punt on 4th down.

Titans fair catch the punt at their 10 yard line. Titan's ball.

2:14 left in the 1st quarter.

CJ gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Oy, deep pass to Washington gets 32 yards.

CJ for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Deep pass to Washington too long, inc. 3rd and 9 coming up. Ball at the Titan 48.

Short pass is only good for 1. Nice tackle by Tarpinian. Titans have to punt.

End of the 1st quarter.

Titan's punt and Martin fair catches at the Texan 14. Texan's ball.

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Graham gets caught in the backfield and loses 2. 2nd and 12 coming up.

Schaub is pressured and throws it away, inc. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Short pass to Grimes over the middle only gets 8. Texans to punt.

Titans bring the punt back to their 44 yard line. Titan's ball.

Pass to Wright gets about 13.

CJ gets 9 at the Texan 33.

CJ for 3 and the 1st down.

CJ for 4 but flags down.....illegal shift Titans -5. Makes it 1st and 15 with 11:35 left in the half.

Pass to Wright off the mark, inc. 2nd and 15 coming up.

Greene for 2. 3rd and 13 coming up.

Pass to Walker gets about 9.... Titans to go for the FG.

Bironas's 42-yarder is good.

Texans 7, Titans 3

9:45 left in the half.

Martin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 23. Texan's ball.

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Grimes for 1.

Dumpoff pass to Grimes gets the 1st down at the Texan 37.

Pass to Hopkins goes to the Titan 44. 19 yards.

Grimes for about 3.

Short pass to Grimes gets the 1st down but fumbles at the end..... Titans recover at their 29. Titan's ball.

6:55 left in the half.

Grimes. Looking pretty good, snake bit on the fumble.

Pass to Walker gets 11.

CJ for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

CJ for 3. 3rd and 2 coming up.

CJ gets about 4 and a 1st down in Texan territory. Ball at the Texan 49.

CJ for 4.

CJ runs for a few but holding on the Titans brings it back. Makes 2nd and 16 coming up.

Fitz's is hit as he throws and McCain INT's! Texan's ball about their 25 yard line.

3:40 left in the half.

Now Texans only -17 turnovers this season.

It has been a weird decline for the defense to not force more turnovers. Missing Cushing, Manning, and some outside pass rushing has really hurt, of course.

This stat alone is one you can point to though for a reason why the team could turnaround quickly next year even with all the holes they have. They've lost a lot of close games (until lately...) where even a +0 ratio could have a huge impact on final scores.

Graham gets almost 4. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Dumpoff to Graham goes to the Texan 41 yard line and a 1st down.

Dumpoff pass to Graham goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins is caught, then fumbled but Hopkins fall on the fumble. Still Texan's ball at the Titan 45.

2 minute warning.

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Previous play is being reviewed..... Challenge by the Titans.....I think they think it was inc.....

Play is reversed and ruled an incompletion. Time was put back on the clock. So, brings up 3rd and 10 for the Texans.

Pass to Martin off the mark, inc. Texans to punt on 4th and 10.

2nd 2 minute warning.

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Punt is fielded by the Titans but holding backs it up to the Titan 4.

CJ for 22 off right tackle.

Timeout Titans. (2 left) 1:16 left in the half.

Pass to Wright goes all the way to the Texan 38. 34 yards.

Fitz's pass to Washington off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up. 58 seconds left in the half.

Pass is good but holding on the Titans backs it up. Makes it 2nd and 20 coming up at the Texan 48.

Deep pass to Washington is broken up, inc. 3rd and 20 coming up.

Dumpoff to CJ goes the Texan 37. Bironas to attempt the FG. Titans use their last timeout with just a few seconds left in the half.

Bironas's 55-yarder is good.

Texans 7, Titans 6

Halftime.

The other side of the turnover ledger needs to be addressed, too, obviously.

Antonio S. had a pretty good first half, we are going to miss him next year. Dang I just hope he doesn't end up in our division.

Halftime stats:

Passing: Schaub 13/20, 134 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Rushing: Grimes 10/34, Graham 2/3

Receiving: Grimes 4/35, Hopkins 3/32, AJ 3/31, Griffin 1/18, Graham 1/12, G Jones 1/6

Tackles: Swearinger 4, McCain 3, Harris/KJ/Mitchell/Watt/McClain/Tarpinian 2 each

Time of possession: Texans 16:52, Titans 13:08

1st downs: Texans 13, Titans 8

3rd down efficiency: Texans 2/5, Titans 1/6

Red zone: Texans 1/1, Titans 0/0

Penalties: Texans 2/20, Titans 5/34

Turnovers: Texans 1, Titans 1

I believe the record low for takeaways in a season is 12. Texans now have 11, I believe. So, if they don't force another turnover, the record is theirs! :p

True, but last year defense had 29 turnovers, this year only 11.

But opponents have made a lot of points off Texans turnovers for sure.

The team's lack of defensive playmakers especially in the secondary is at least as big a problem as the quarterback situation.

McCain still sucks. Pass interference on team other than the Texans I'm in shock.

Eli is out, Nassib is in.

Titans bring the 2nd half kickoff back to about their 21. Titan's ball.

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CJ caught for -1. 2nd and 11 coming up.

Pass to Wright off the mark but holding on McCain gives a 1st down at the Titan 25.

CJ for no gain. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Dumpoff to Wright goes for about 15 but flags down.... offensive PI on the Titans backs it up. Makes it 2nd and 20 coming up.

Dumpoff the CJ gets 3. 3rd and 17 coming up.

Pass to Williams goes all the way to midfield. 1st down. 32 yards.

CJ gets 2.

Ball is caught over the middle, fumbled but Titans recover back at their 49.

Pass to Hunter is off the mark, inc. Titans to punt.

Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 17.

Grimes for about 3.

Deep pass to Griffin is broken up and INT'ed by the Titans (Ayers) at the Texan 35. Titan's ball.

Matt is doing his best to help get the Texans the first pick in the draft.

Greene for 4.

Greene for 3 more. 3rd and 3 coming up.

Slant to Washington gets the 1st down at the Texan 21.

Greene for no gain or -1.

Pass to Walker gets 9. 3rd and 2 coming up at the Texan 13.

CJ gets the 2 and a 1st down at the 11 yard line.

CJ goes right side for the TD. Flag on Keo for horsecollar... will be assessed on the kickoff.

Titans 13, Texans 7

5:39 left in the 3rd quarter.

Maybe thrown a bit behind him, but Schaub's pass still went right thru Giffin's hands. Matt can't catch it for him.

Watching this game is making me sick. I mean this will be 14 straight weeks of total trash. Hopefully next season with a new hc and qb will be better.

Me personally I'm done making excuses for Matt I've had enough of his act to last me a life time.

The ensuing kickoff goes out of the endzone, touchback. Texan's ball at their 20.

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R Graham for 2.

R Graham for 3. 3rd and 5 coming up.

Deep pass to AJ is broken up, inc. Texans to punt.

Punt is downed by the Texans at the Titan 34 yard line. Titan's ball.

4:07 left in the 3rd quarter.

What a crap call on Earl.

Pass to Washington goes inc but PI flag on McCain is declined.....roughing the passer on Mitchell is accepted. Places the ball at the Titan 49.

CJ caught for loss of 3. 2nd and 13 coming up.

Sack by Watt! Loss of 6. Brings up 3rd and 18.

Draw to Battle gets 16. Titans to punt on 4th and 2.

Punt is downed by the Titans at the Texan 5 yard line. Texan's ball.

Grimes for 6 up the gut. 2nd and 4 coming up.

Grimes for almost 4. 3rd and inches coming up.

G Jones gets 2 and the 1st down. Ball at the Texan 16.

End of the 3rd quarter.

Me I'm telling you that the pic was on the rookie, not Matt.

Dumpoff pass to Griffin is broken up, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Griffin goes all the way to the Texan 34, 1st down.

Schaub takes the snap and runs into the guard and fumbles. Fumble is recovered by the Titans. Titans ball at the Texan 33.