Texans Wire Countdown to Titans: 10 factors for Week 8
WHEN: 3:05 p.m. CT
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RED — Pittsburgh at Philadelphia
BLUE — New England at NY Jets
GREEN — Las Vegas at New Orleans
ORANGE — Miami at Detroit
YELLOW — Tennessee at Houston
10. Titans' takeaways
George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports
The Titans may be without Ryan Tannehill under center, but their defense has been one of the big reasons for their success this season. The Titans are tied for the ninth-most takeaways in the NFL this year with 10. Houston has to protect the football.
9. Titans' rank for blitzes
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee has dialed up 50 blitzes, good for the ninth-fewest in the league. In other words, the Titans aren’t going to bring exotic looks to try to get to the quarterback. If Houston can handle their blocks up front, they should give Davis Mills enough time to throw.
8. Titans' rank for missed tackles
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Titans are tied with the Chicago Bears for the eighth-most missed tackles in the league with 50. If Tennessee continues to have tackling issues, it should provide rookie running back Dameon Pierce plenty of chances to turn his dirty yards into chunk plays.
7. Malik Willis' jersey number
George Walker IV-USA TODAY NETWORK
The Titans are depending upon their third-rounder from Liberty to improve upon Tennessee’s first place standing in the AFC South. The Texans have to find ways to make Willis look like a rookie. Houston had trouble in the end in Week 3 against another mobile quarterback in Justin Fields.
6. Dameon Pierce's rank for rushing yards
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Pierce has generated 504 rushing yards, good for the sixth-most in the NFL. It is safe to say that Pierce is the most consistent weapon on the Texans’ offense. If the former Florida product is able to have a big day, it should bode well for Houston’s offense.
5. Derrick Henry's rushing touchdowns
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Henry has scored five rushing touchdowns, tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. The All-Pro back will have to stay at a high level to help out his rookie quarterback.
4. Davis Mills' rank for passing rating
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mills has the fourth-lowest passer rating among quarterbacks who have started every game at 83.6. The second-year signal caller has to find ways to drive the ball down the field and not stay content with the underneath stuff.
3. Titans' rank for red zone trips
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Strangely the Titans haven’t had very many red zone trips with just 15 on the season, the third-lowest in the NFL. With a rookie quarterback, it could be possible the Texans find themselves in a low-scoring slugfest with Tennessee. Maybe, as was the case in Week 2 at the Denver Broncos, first team to score a touchdown wins.
2. Jalen Pitre's interceptions
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Pitre got his first two interceptions going against Justin Fields. With an even more inexperienced signal caller in Malik Willis starting against Houston, perhaps the second-rounder from Baylor can find a way to add to his pick total.
1. Titans' rank for third down conversions
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
No defense in the NFL is better on third downs than the Titans. Tennessee only gives up 27.8% of their third downs. In order to have a chance on third down, Houston will have to improve their execution on first and second downs.
