NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Houston coach DeMeco Ryans is navigating the challenge of keeping his Texans healthy for their AFC wild-card playoff game while also addressing the need to shake off rust ahead of Sunday’s regular-season finale.
A win against the Tennessee Titans would provide some positive momentum as the Texans head into the postseason, especially after suffering two consecutive losses since securing their second straight AFC South title.
Houston (9-7) has had an 11-day break since being routed 31-2 by Baltimore on Christmas Day. A victory on Sunday would give the Texans a chance to address some lingering issues before they host a wild-card game as the No. 4 seed. Ryans confirmed he plans to play his starters, though he did not specify how long they would stay on the field
“We’ll see how the game goes,” Ryans said.
On the other hand, the Titans (3-13) are in a completely different situation. Their playoff hopes were dashed with a loss to Jacksonville on December 8, and Tennessee has now dropped five straight games. The Titans are currently positioned to secure the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. If they lose and New England defeats Buffalo, Tennessee would land the No. 1 overall pick for the first time since 2016.
First-year coach Brian Callahan is focused on improving his team, not contemplating the idea of a lottery system that could prevent teams from tanking for better draft positions. He said it was an interesting question but one better addressed in the offseason. Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons emphasized his focus remains on winning games.
“I’m not going out there with a losing mentality for the draft,” Simmons said. “That’s out of my control. What we do and who we get in the draft, that’s not up to me.”
The Titans made the decision to bench second-year quarterback Will Levis after his four turnovers led to 24 points in a loss to Cincinnati on December 15. Veteran Mason Rudolph started the last two games, but couldn’t help Tennessee snap its seven-game slide, which includes a 20-13 defeat to Jacksonville last week.
The lone win during this stretch came when Levis started a 33-27 victory at Houston on November 24, giving the Titans a chance to sweep the Texans. Levis has earned another shot at starting after showing promise following his benching, and he’ll likely get one more opportunity to prove himself before the team decides on its quarterback situation in the offseason. Coach Brian Callahan plans to announce his starter later this week.
Levis is just happy for the opportunity to play again and hopes his last pass at Nissan Stadium isn’t another pick-six.
“All I’m trying to do is play quarterback the best I can, and it’s a good opportunity to try to end the season on a positive note,” Levis said.
Receiver Diontae Johnson is expected to make his debut for Houston on Sunday after being signed last week following his release by the Ravens. The Texans needed added depth at the position after Tank Dell joined Stefon Diggs on the injured list with a season-ending knee injury on December 21.
Johnson appeared in four games for Baltimore after being traded from Carolina but was suspended for refusing to enter a game and subsequently released on December 20. Over the course of his six-year career, which began in Pittsburgh, he has accumulated 4,726 receiving yards. Ryans isn’t concerned about his past.
“As I told him, it’s a clean slate with me,” Ryans said. “What matters is what happens here, not what’s in the past or the narrative around you. You come here for a fresh start, and we’ll see how he can contribute to the team both on and off the field.”
Meanwhile, the Titans have long planned to wear their Oilers throwback uniforms on Sunday when they face the team that replaced them in Houston. These uniforms feature the light blue and red that the Texans have since incorporated into their own color scheme, with Houston fans still upset that the late Bud Adams took all the Oilers’ history and branding with him to Tennessee in 1997.
Simmons is eager to wear the throwbacks and honor the former players who wore those uniforms. He also knows the Texans will be motivated to hand the Titans a loss while wearing those jerseys.
“It’s been a challenging season, but to close it out in those uniforms would be a fitting way to finish,” Simmons said.
Leave a Reply