Official Texans @ Titans Game Thread, 12/29/2013

[Arky]

The 2-13 Texans travel up to Nashville to take on the 6-9 Tennessee Titans at noon this Sunday. The Texans are coming off a 37-13 home loss to the Denver Broncos while the Titans are coming off a 20-16 road win at Jacksonville. The Texans won the first meeting between the two way back in Week 2 in OT 30-24.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), noon CST, Sunday

Announcers = Andrew Catalon, Adam Archuleta (who?)

The line = Titans by 7 to 7.5

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Week 17: rare 4 game weekend for the Houston area. Houston gets:

Early: Houston @ Tennessee (CBS), Carolina @ Atlanta (FOX)

Late: Denver @ Oakland (CBS), Tampa Bay @ New Orleans (FOX)

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Note: Gus Johnson is doing the Detroit @ Minnesota game......

[HPF Bob]

Which to root for? One final middle finger to Bud Adams or sewing up the overall #1 pick?

[BigBull]

I'll be rooting for the Texans to win, because I can't root against them especially against the flaming thumbtacks. With all the injuries though I expect the Texans to loose for the 14th straight time. smh

[Nconroe]

Sounds like Matt Schaub starting.

I'm thinking Texans will loose, but if win I'm sure all players would be happier.

[Arky]

Titans win the toss and defer. Texans to receive.

Martin has a nice run back all the way to the Texan 37.

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Schaub's pass to AJ gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Pass to AJ goes all the way to the Titan 45, 1st down.

Grimes goes right side for about 12 or 13.

Grimes for 2 on the left side. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Grimes gets 2. 3rd and 7 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins gets 7 and the 1st down.

Schaub pressured and throws it away but flag on the Titans for illegal contact. 5 yards and an auto 1st down at the Titan 18.

Grimes gets close to 10....Makes it 2nd and 1 at the 8 yard line.

Dump off to Hopkins goes to the 4 yard line. 1st and goal.

Grimes punches it in!

Texans 7, Titans 0

9:37 left in the 1st quarter.

[Warren]

I like how Grimes asked the ref if he could keep the ball.

[Warren]

The Titans have the edge in the starting QB's beard category.

[Arky]

Titans bring the ensuing kickoff back to their 25 yard line. Titan's ball.

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Fitz's pass is deflected at the LOS, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

CJ for 2. 3rd and 8 coming up.

Pass to Wright only gets 6 but roughing the passer on B Harris gives a 1st down at the Titan 49.

CJ for 2.

Fitz's pass to Wright is off the mark, inc. Brings up 3rd and 8.

Fitz is pressured and throws inc. Titans have to punt.

Martin fair catches the punt at the Texan 11 yard line. Texan's ball.

[Nconroe]

Nice gallup for first down by Schaub.

[Arky]

Grimes for about 2. 2nd and 8 coming up.

Dumpoff pass to Grimes gets 4. 3rd and 4 coming up.

Schaub can't find a receiver and scrambles for the 1st down at the Texan 24.

Short pass to G Jones gets 6.

Grimes gets 5 and the 1st down.

Schaub rolls out and the pass is deflected, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up at the Texan 35.

Pass to AJ gets 13 and a 1st down.

Pass to Griffin goes to the Titan 35 yard line.

Grimes gets caught in the backfield, loss of 4. 2nd and 14 coming up.

Pass to AJ is broken up, inc. 3rd and 14 coming up.

Flags presnap, false start Newton -5. Makes it 3rd and 19 coming up.

Schaub rolls out and can't find a receiver and throws it away, inc. Texans to punt on 4th down.

Titans fair catch the punt at their 10 yard line. Titan's ball.

2:14 left in the 1st quarter.

[Arky]

CJ gets 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

Oy, deep pass to Washington gets 32 yards.

CJ for 1. 2nd and 9 coming up.

Deep pass to Washington too long, inc. 3rd and 9 coming up. Ball at the Titan 48.

Short pass is only good for 1. Nice tackle by Tarpinian. Titans have to punt.

End of the 1st quarter.

[Arky]

Titan's punt and Martin fair catches at the Texan 14. Texan's ball.

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Graham gets caught in the backfield and loses 2. 2nd and 12 coming up.

Schaub is pressured and throws it away, inc. 3rd and 12 coming up.

Short pass to Grimes over the middle only gets 8. Texans to punt.

Titans bring the punt back to their 44 yard line. Titan's ball.

[Arky]

Pass to Wright gets about 13.

CJ gets 9 at the Texan 33.

CJ for 3 and the 1st down.

CJ for 4 but flags down.....illegal shift Titans -5. Makes it 1st and 15 with 11:35 left in the half.

Pass to Wright off the mark, inc. 2nd and 15 coming up.

Greene for 2. 3rd and 13 coming up.

Pass to Walker gets about 9.... Titans to go for the FG.

Bironas's 42-yarder is good.

Texans 7, Titans 3

9:45 left in the half.

[Arky]

Martin brings the ensuing kickoff back to the Texan 23. Texan's ball.

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Grimes for 1.

Dumpoff pass to Grimes gets the 1st down at the Texan 37.

Pass to Hopkins goes to the Titan 44. 19 yards.

Grimes for about 3.

Short pass to Grimes gets the 1st down but fumbles at the end..... Titans recover at their 29. Titan's ball.

6:55 left in the half.

[Nconroe]

Grimes. Looking pretty good, snake bit on the fumble.

[Arky]

Pass to Walker gets 11.

CJ for 5. 2nd and 5 coming up.

CJ for 3. 3rd and 2 coming up.

CJ gets about 4 and a 1st down in Texan territory. Ball at the Texan 49.

CJ for 4.

CJ runs for a few but holding on the Titans brings it back. Makes 2nd and 16 coming up.

Fitz's is hit as he throws and McCain INT's! Texan's ball about their 25 yard line.

3:40 left in the half.

[Nconroe]

Now Texans only -17 turnovers this season.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Now Texans only -17 turnovers this season.

It has been a weird decline for the defense to not force more turnovers. Missing Cushing, Manning, and some outside pass rushing has really hurt, of course.

This stat alone is one you can point to though for a reason why the team could turnaround quickly next year even with all the holes they have. They've lost a lot of close games (until lately...) where even a +0 ratio could have a huge impact on final scores.

[Arky]

Graham gets almost 4. 2nd and 7 coming up.

Dumpoff to Graham goes to the Texan 41 yard line and a 1st down.

Dumpoff pass to Graham goes inc. 2nd and 10 coming up.

Pass to Hopkins is caught, then fumbled but Hopkins fall on the fumble. Still Texan's ball at the Titan 45.

2 minute warning.

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Previous play is being reviewed..... Challenge by the Titans.....I think they think it was inc.....

Play is reversed and ruled an incompletion. Time was put back on the clock. So, brings up 3rd and 10 for the Texans.

Pass to Martin off the mark, inc. Texans to punt on 4th and 10.

2nd 2 minute warning.

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Punt is fielded by the Titans but holding backs it up to the Titan 4.

CJ for 22 off right tackle.

Timeout Titans. (2 left) 1:16 left in the half.

Pass to Wright goes all the way to the Texan 38. 34 yards.

Fitz's pass to Washington off the mark, inc. 2nd and 10 coming up. 58 seconds left in the half.

Pass is good but holding on the Titans backs it up. Makes it 2nd and 20 coming up at the Texan 48.

Deep pass to Washington is broken up, inc. 3rd and 20 coming up.

Dumpoff to CJ goes the Texan 37. Bironas to attempt the FG. Titans use their last timeout with just a few seconds left in the half.

Bironas's 55-yarder is good.

Texans 7, Titans 6

Halftime.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by Keith

It has been a weird decline for the defense to not force more turnovers. Missing Cushing, Manning, and some outside pass rushing has really hurt, of course.

The other side of the turnover ledger needs to be addressed, too, obviously.