Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans : 5 Keys to Victory

by Aditya T (smashville) on Nov 21, 2009 8:00 AM CST in Previews Comment 17 comments

Be inVINCEable. I know the Texans fans hate it, but Vince really has something in him that makes his teams win. Jimmy said he'll never lose in Houston, and so far so good, but we'll see. Vince just needs to continue playing efficiently and we'll be okay. Our stellar offensive line has only allowed 7 sacks, so Vince should have time to use that new found accuracy.
Run, as always. The Texans defense may have improved since last time, but the Titans offense has also improved. Chris Johnson currently has a four game streak of 100+ yard games, and his goal this week is to get 200 after he was stopped just short in Week 2. I would expect more of Lendale White than we have seen in past weeks to tire the defense.
Play better pass coverage. Last time we played this team, Andre Johnson torched our defense for 149 yards. Then again, he was being covered by Nick Harper. This time he should be covered by Rod Hood. That immediately gives us a better chance. If the pass rush puts Matt Schaub on the ground though, he won't even have to opportunity to make throws. The defense needs to think pass first. We catch a huge break with Owen Daniels out.
Don't get distracted. Yes, it's Monday Night Football. Yes, the fans will be riled up. Yes, it will be exciting. But the players need to remember it's just another game. Also don't regard the Texans as harmless, because this is arguably the best team in their history. Every game from here on out is a playoff game, because to have any real chance at the playoffs, we need to win out.
Win the turnover battle. Matt Schaub and the Texans offense is very prolific. In fact, they are third best in the league through the air, only behind the Patriots and Colts. As it's been said numerous times, the only way to stop an offense is by not allowing them to get on the field. The Titans have an 8-1 edge in turnover ratio after the bye week, a considerable improvement from the losing streak. With a struggling run game, Schaub has had to pass an awful lot, and that has led to nine interceptions this season. And the reason he has to pass so often? Fumbling problems by Steve Slaton.

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started off slow

but you finished strong.

& #5 are spot on.

re:#2
I guess 3200 yards rushing should be no problem next season for CJ, since he can just “talk” his way to 200 yards each game, huh?

I think Monday will be fun. I can’t wait.

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Nov 21, 2009 9:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

autoformatting fail

that “1.” should say #4…

Smushiak will take us to the playoffs in 2009.

by texanphil on Nov 21, 2009 9:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just Curious

Why put hood on Andre when we have Cortland on the other side. Wouldn’t it be better to match them both up together?

by StupidFresh_11 on Nov 21, 2009 9:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

It will actually depend on where Johnson lines up

Cortland plays the left and Hood plays the right.

Not sure what will happen if/when Harper is back in there, because it was reversed then.

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Retire #9!

by gramsey712 on Nov 21, 2009 10:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the biggest keys here are...

putting Matt Schaub on the ground and preventing Andre Johnson to have a big game.

On our last two losses against them, AJ and Schaub really torched our secondary. If we can somehow pressure Schaub consistently, limiting his time in the pocket and not giving them the chance to throw the long passes, I think we have a very good chance of winning.

"I finished the game. In my mind, if I finished the game, I can play next week." - Steve McNair RIP

by Pinoy Titan on Nov 21, 2009 9:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

amen bro, cant pass if your on your back...or running for your life.

"hey, quit reading these ridiculous words of wisdom and get back to work!"

by stetix01 on Nov 21, 2009 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you guys will get Schaub once or twice this game. Our pass protection is really good now, but Schaub holds the ball too long sometimes.

I would be surprise if your front four get him, we have faced far better lines this year, but I can see him holding the ball and getting sacked under a blitz.

That said, Schaub has really come around this year in terms of hurting the blitz with the dumpoffs to the RB/TE. I think a large part of this game comes down to the Titans ability to get pressure while simultaneously defending the dumpoff.

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by TexansForever on Nov 21, 2009 6:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

the Titans can live with the dump offs

it’s the long ball that kills us

"I finished the game. In my mind, if I finished the game, I can play next week." - Steve McNair RIP

by Pinoy Titan on Nov 22, 2009 8:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

pass rush = turnovers

If we get pressure we win. I would love to see the return of the games where we knock Schaub down repeatedly. Up until the last two meetings this was the case.

Back To The Future

by Voluntitan23 on Nov 21, 2009 9:55 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I have nothing against Nick Harper but....

I would rather see Rod Hood as the starter since he has proven to be a playmaker for the last three games! And considering that Harper got destroyed last time we played Texans! It’s crucial we will this game and we shouldn’t just toss him back into the mix so soon!

by datboybevans on Nov 21, 2009 10:07 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I have something against Nick Harper.

He sucks.

"We really feel like we can go 10-0 in these last ten games...we’re trying to do something nobody has ever done." Chris Johnson
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Nov 21, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 8 recs

Amen

Old and slow – not good qualities in a db

Back To The Future

by Voluntitan23 on Nov 21, 2009 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Turn that one green

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

by Jimmy on Nov 21, 2009 11:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

can you make it greener?

"hey, quit reading these ridiculous words of wisdom and get back to work!"

by stetix01 on Nov 21, 2009 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

6. Be the more physical team and hit the QB

We didn’t sack Schaub once in the first matchup and he lit us up. That stands in stark contrast to the beatings he was dealt in the good ‘ol Albert days. If I recall correctly, we knocked him out of both starts in 2007, and in his 4 previous starts to 2009, we sacked him 9 times and he went 48/90 for 583 with 1 TD and 3 INTs. Fortunately, we’ve got 10 sacks in the last 3 games. With Daniels out and Moats in place of Slaton, we can probably afford to be a bit more aggressive with blitzes. Schaub doesn’t have a huge arm, so he’s not likely to torch you if you’re out of position, his success is more predicated on timing and placement. Disrupting that timing is key, given the earlier struggles of the secondary.

Houston has solidified on both lines from years past and Pollard and Cushing have improved their toughness on D, but I believe we can establish ourselves as the more physical team. By virtue of Vince and CJ’s explosiveness, the Houston defense is going to be focused on gap discipline and recognition, so it’s key to take the fight to them. As much as we hear about Vince and CJ, I think guys like Mawae, Hall, and the defensive front are going to be key. Guys will need to step up and make plays, but this game will be won or lost in the trenches.

by WC22 on Nov 21, 2009 11:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs