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The Texans drop to 0-2, but not ready to panic

The Texans locker room was somber, frustrated after their second dramatic loss in as many weeks.

But definitely not panicked.

"We've got a lot of great leaders in here," DeAndre Hopkins said. "I'm not worried about this team at all."

The Texans fell to 0-2 after two games on the road, but Sunday's loss to the division rival Tennessee Titans stung. Time expired as Deshaun Watson found DeAndre Hopkins for a first down, Houston was unable to kick a game-tying field goal at Tennessee and lost 20-17.

"We tried to take a shot, we didn't have any timeouts," Watson said. "They were guarding the sideline very well. My instincts took over, tried to get the ball (out). Time ran out."

Houston fell into an early 14-0 hole after a Titans fake punt returned for a touchdown and a number of wildcat formations that seemingly neutralized the Texans pass rush.

However, both offense and defense began clicking as the Texans scored 17 unanswered points of their own. The Texans offense gained 437 total net yards (148 rushing and 289 passing), the most total net yards gained in a game for Houston since Week 8 against Seattle last year (509 yards). Both DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller V had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown each.

The Texans defense forced four consecutive three-and-out drives for the Titans final drive of the first half through the third quarter. In fact, the Texans outgained the Titans 107-8 in total net yards in the third quarter.

"Guys just buying into it, and just taking it one play at a time," Johnathan Joseph said.

The Titans two field goal drives in the fourth quarter would prove costly, including the final one that lasted 5:41 and gave the Texans the ball back with just one minute remaining.

"Obviously we had the one drive in the first half where they went wild cat and we gave up too much," J.J. Watt said. "The last drive at the end for them to get the field goal. We can't give up those two drives."

In his second game back from last year's season-ending ACL surgery, Watson completed 22-of-32 for 310 yards, two touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 107.6. He also rushed five times for 44 yards.

"We're fine," Watson said. "I mean, if you're one of the guys or one of the people, one of the fans hitting the panic button, then that's on you. Don't hop on the train later on in the season. No point in panicking. I know I'm not going to panic, especially where I came from in my childhood so it comes with it. I've taken losses before. Take it under the chin and try to get better from it."

So where do the Texans go from here?

They will correct their mistakes and move forward, much like they did in 2015 after a tumultuous 0-2 start that ended in an AFC South championship.

"We've got to keep fighting," head coach Bill O'Brien said. "It's a long season."

The Texans will host their home game of the 2018 season on Sunday when they face the New York Giants.

Check out photos of the Houston Texans taking on the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium for Week 2 of the NFL season.

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