   
|
 |
Titans Beat Texans, Secure #2 Seed
With the Oakland Raiders securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Titans secured the #2 seed and received a first round bye after defeating the Texans 13-3 Sunday at Reliant Stadium. The Titans are now heading into the playoffs with a five game winning streak and winners of their last 10 of 11 after beginning the season at 1-4.
A game on paper where one would think that the Titans would dominate the Texans turned into a defensive struggle. The Titans came into this game needing a win to receive a first round bye, while a loss could have dropped them into becoming a number four seed and a wild card team.
Despite being outgained offensively and dodging bullets through three-quarters, the Titans were able to break through and put the game out of reach with an 8-play 57-yard drive. The drive ended on a 4-yard touchdown run by Eddie George with 5:10 left in the fourth quarter to give the Titans a 13-3 lead.
Titans running back Eddie George finished with 25 rushes for 102 yards and one touchdown, recording his fourth 100 + rushing yard game of the year.
The only touchdown of the day was setup by a third down and 24 completion from Titans quarterback Steve McNair to wide receiver Drew Bennett for 53 yards.
Titans wide receiver Drew Bennett had two receptions for 58 yards while Texans wide receiver Jabar Gaffney had six receptions for 73 yards.
Neither team was able to generate much offense in the third quarter until the Texans put together a 14 play 29 yard drive which ended on a 42-yard field goal by kicker Chris Brown. The field goal pulled the Texans within three points at 6-3 with 0:52 left in the third quarter.
The situation could have been much worse for the Titans as the Texans Chris brown hit a 38-yard field goal but was negated due to a 15-yard leverage penalty called on Albert Haynesworth. The Texans got new life starting deep in Titans territory at the Titans five yard line. The Titans defense then stepped up and stuffed a first down and recorded two huge sacks, which pushed the Texans back and forced them to kick the field goal.
The Texans received their first chance of the day to tie the game up at three a piece as they drove down to the Titans two-yard line in the second quarter. However, Titans safety Tank Williams blocked the 19-yard field goal attempt by Texans kicker Chris Brown to preserve the Titans lead at 3-0.
The Titans continued to apply their swarming defensive pressure as Rocky Boiman broke through the line and blocked a Texans punt, which was recovered by the Titans Donald Mitchell on the Texans 22-yard line.
The blocked punt was able to setup a field goal attempt for Joe Nedney as he connected from 26-yards on his second field goal of the day to give the Titans a 6-0 lead with 2:54 left in the second quarter.
The Titans began the game by going three and out as the Texans looked to take the early lead. The Texans then drove to the Titans 33-yard line to setup a 50-yard field goal attempt by Texans kicker Chris Brown where he hooked it wide left.
The Titans quickly responded with a drive of their own which lasted for seven plays and 51 yards. The drive ended on a Joe Nedney 28-yard field goal with 3:58 left in the first quarter to give the Titans an early 3-0 lead. The drive was setup by a reception to Titans wide receiver Justin McCarreins from quarterback Steve McNair for 36-yards on the Texans 11-yard line.
Titans quarterback Steve McNair finished the day 8 of 22 for 148 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions while Texans rookie quarterback David Carr was 21 of 40 for 214 yards no touchdowns and one interception.
The Titans now end their regular season at 11-5 and look toward the playoffs with a first round bye and the #2 seed, while the Texans end their season at 4-12.
|
