Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans Week 17: Everything we know
Final score: Titans 41, Texans 38
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Kicker Sam Sloman's 37-yard field goal hit the right upright and bounced through at the buzzer as the Tennessee Titans defeated the Houston 41-38 Sunday evening at NRG Stadium. The win lifts the Titans to their first division title since 2008 and gives them a home playoff game. The loss drops the Texans to 4-12 on the year. Here is everything we know.
Keys to the game
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Running back Derrick Henry achieved the 2,000-yard rushing mark as he tallied 250 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries. Receiver A.J. Brown also punished the Texans as he caught 10 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown, including the 52-yard YOLO ball from quarterback Ryan Tannehill to setup Tennessee in field goal range at the Houston 23-yard line. Quarterback Deshaun Watson gave the Titans defense everything he had as he completed 28 passes on 39 attempts for 365 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Watson finishes the season as the NFL passing leader and sets the Texans' single-season passing yards mark.
It was over when...
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
On a third-and-10 from the Titans' 33-yard line, Watson could not connect with receiver Chad Hansen, even though the line to gain would not have been reached anyway. Houston had to settle for a 51-yard field goal. With the Titans having all three timeouts left, even with 18 seconds left, it was only a matter of time before Tennessee would hit the big play to get into field goal range.
Players of the game
(AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Watson: 28/39, 365 yards, 3 TDs, INT; 3 carries, 12 yards David Johnson: 14 carries, 84 yards, TD; 3 catches, 36 yards Brandin Cooks: 11 catches, 166 yards, 2 TDs Henry: 34 carries, 250 yards, 2 TDs Brown: 10 catches, 151 yards, TD
What's next?
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Titans are the No. 4 seed and will host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild-card. The Texans look for their fourth full-time coach and fifth general manager in club history.
