No one ever said it was going to be easy. And it wasn't. But somehow, the Texans have climbed their way back to .500, with a monster game against Buffalo coming up on Thursday.
When Mathew Wright kicked a 35-yard game-winning field goal against Tennessee, it ended a stress-filled afternoon that saw the Texans scrape and claw their way to 5-5.
As with last week, Davis Mills and the offense would need a late drive to win it. After an improbable game-tying drive by the Titans, featuring a 3rd and 17 conversion to Texans villain Chig Okonkwo, Houston put together a drive of its own.
The play of the game was Mills finding Nico Collins on the right sideline to turn a 3rd and 16 situation into a first down at the Titans' 41. Then, Mills worked the Stanford connection, hitting Dalton Schultz for seven yards, before Woody Marks added three runs for a total of 17 yards, to get a closer field goal.
Collins was brilliant again, with nine catches for 92 yards and a TD. He's one of the best receivers in the league and is once again on pace for a 1,000+ yard season.
The defense ate well with three sacks and a feast of stops in the 4th quarter until Tennessee finally broke through with the equalizing drive. Danielle Hunter picked up a sack and a half and has five in the last two games. Will Anderson Jr. had another.
Bottom line is that you knew this one could be tough. You were going to get whatever the best version is of the 2025 Titans, coming off a bye and self-scout. Cam Ward had some struggles but made some big throws. And Jeffery Simmons and Arden Key came back right on cue to make life tough for the Texans offense.
This could have been big trouble but the Texans made the big plays when they needed to and carved out a nice win to set up Battle Red night.
The Buffalo Bills will enter NRG Stadium after a high-scoring victory over Tampa Bay. It'll be up to the Texans to be rude hosts and fight their way to a winning record, something that's evaded them the entire season.
