Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans. 1/1. Noon. CBS. **Official GameDay Thread**

[ThaShark316]

The Tennessee Titans enter their season finale needing a victory and plenty of help to reach the postseason.

The AFC South champion Houston Texans hope they won’t be carrying a three-game losing streak into their first playoff appearance.

Tennessee visits slumping Houston on Sunday hoping to set up a rematch in the wild-card round the following week, though the Titans will have to contend with Texans star wide receiver Andre Johnson.

The Titans (8-7) avoided a third straight loss with a 23-17 victory over Jacksonville on Saturday, staying in the hunt for their first trip to the playoffs since 2008.

One thing helping the Titans is that the Texans seem to be only a shell of the team that routed Tennessee 41-7 on Oct. 23.

Houston got 234 total yards and three touchdowns in that contest from running back Arian Foster, who was named to his second straight Pro Bowl on Tuesday.

That victory began a club-record seven-game winning streak for the Texans (10-5), though they’ve lost two straight since clinching their first division title with a 20-19 win at Cincinnati on Dec. 18.

Houston allowed a touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining in a 19-16 loss Dec. 22 to lowly Indianapolis despite 158 yards and a touchdown rushing from Foster.

Houston received the news Friday that Johnson will make his return for this game, though he’ll be on a play count. Johnson has played only six games this season after missing six in a row with a right hamstring injury that required surgery.

What I want to see

Come out throwing!

I always preached this with Schaub around. I scaled back on that when he went down, and even more with T.J. at the helm. No more. Come out, let the Tacks know that you mean business. Get Andre involved early, find Owen Daniels and Joel Dreessen in the match-ups you want vs. their LBs, and hit Arian out of the backfield for some screens. We know we can run on these guys, so lets make them pay for stacking the box.

Like the last time, stuff CJ2k

Last time we saw Chris Johnson, he was a non-factor. Cush, OTN, Watt, and Meco were key in doing that. This time around, he's on a gimpy ankle. That said, he's still capable of doing some things vs. any defense. Let's make him wish he never walked into Reliant Stadium and hit him hard, early and often.

Contain Jared Cook.

This will be something we didn't see last time. Cook is starting to become a serious go-to-guy for the Titans and QB Matt Hasselbeck. Glover Quin needs to do some of his best defending vs. another dynamic TE. He's done OK in these situations, so a key in this game is to contain Mr. Cook and not let him get the huge plays he got vs. Jacksonville.

Momentum, Momentum, Momentum.

To sort of calm the "one and done" talk, the Texans need to build some of that. Force some turnovers, execute in all 3 phases, and of course capitalize on opportunities in the red zone when you have them. Field goals are nice when you are up 17, so let's make all possessions count!

LETS GET TO 11-5, baby!!!!

[LEATHERHEAD]

Happy New Year Fellow Texans Fans....see ya at the Tailgates

[dream_team]

I'm hoping for a win... But what's more important to me are no injuries, and Yates & AJ showing some good chemistry.

[Showtime100]

doot...see ya tomorrow.

[TimeKiller]

Goodnight 2011.

Texans need to stomp a hole so big in Titans' butt Munchak rethinks going to Penn State.

Hello 2012!

[TheDream34]

My question is, how the hell are the titans still in a playoff race. They looked so horrible after our beatdown on them and I thought at that moment they were done.

[ObsiWan]

From NBC's Profootball Talk...

Titans at Texans
Florio’s take: Technically, it’s a meaningless game for the Texans. But with two ugly losses in a row, the AFC South champs need to build some confidence and momentum before the postseason begins. Though Tennessee still has a shot at the postseason, they’re not ready to beat a quality-yet-flawed team on the road.
Florio’s pick: Texans 24, Titans 16.

Rosenthal’s take: I believe Gary Kubiak when he says he’ll play this game like any other. The Texans don’t want to hit the playoffs on a three-game losing streak. T.J. Yates needs his defense and running game to carry him. They will on Sunday.
Rosenthal’s pick: Texans 21, Titans 17.

I'm not convinced Yates can exceed the 16-17 pts/game he's been averaging. Unless the Foster/Tate combo has a big game we won't win.

That has nothing to do with Kubiak's conservatism but Yates' what I see as hesitancy to make mistakes and thereby let his teammates down. The youngster has yet to learn to keep his eyes downfield while moving around in the pocket. Check out the AFC playbook video here... They all picked the Titans to win; I sure hope they're wrong.

[Wolf]

Should be interesting. I read somewhere that their was a quote that the titans said they underestimated the Texans the first time around

[NitroGSXR]

Also... this is probably the end of the Finnegan/Andre rivalry. I'm hoping to see these two mix it up today. I'll never forget what happened at Reliant last year.

AN-DRE! AN-DRE! AN-DRE!

[MightyTExan]

It just sunk in that it's the last game of the season and Texans are going to continue playing meaningful games.......................

[CloakNNNdagger]

HoustonTexans Houston Texans
Ben Tate will start at RB, Joel Dreessen at TE, Jason Allen at CB #Texans
4 minutes ago

Houston Texans
HoustonTexans Houston Texans
#Texans inactives: 7 QB Garcia, 22 CB McManis 23 RB Foster, 24 CB Joseph, 33 FS NOlan, 65 G Brisiel, 81 TE Daniels
5 minutes ago

[Wolf]

looks like a rest for some.. They will be ready for next week though

[Maddict5]

damn missing alot of players... this would be a great win when we're this shorthanded. not confident though

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by CloakNNNdagger

HoustonTexans Houston Texans
Ben Tate will start at RB, Joel Dreessen at TE, Jason Allen at CB #Texans
4 minutes ago

Houston Texans
HoustonTexans Houston Texans
#Texans inactives: 7 QB Garcia, 22 CB McManis 23 RB Foster, 24 CB Joseph, 33 FS NOlan, 65 G Brisiel, 81 TE Daniels
5 minutes ago

That answers that.
So much for going all out to win a meaningless game.

I wonder if Delhomme will get some snaps...?


Edit:
...let me go change that pick 'em

...and so much for Foster getting to 2K from scrimmage

[EllisUnit]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

That answers that.
So much for going all out to win a meaningless game.

I wonder if Delhomme will get some snaps...?


Edit:
...let me go change that pick 'em

...and so much for Foster getting to 2K from scrimmage

The Titans need A LOT of help to get in, so regardless of if the titans win or lose they prob wont make it.

[JCTexan]

Tate needs 155 yards on the ground to reach 1,000.

[NitroGSXR]

Originally Posted by ObsiWan

That answers that.
So much for going all out to win a meaningless game.

I wonder if Delhomme will get some snaps...?


Edit:
...let me go change that pick 'em

...and so much for Foster getting to 2K from scrimmage

Sounds like we're trying to keep his value down for when he hits FA next season or we will find ourselves in a position where we are unable to match. I can also see him rightfully butting heads with Rick Smith about it. I hate to say it but there is a solid chance next week will be Foster's last game with the Texans.

I'm not calling for his head but I am not a very big Rick Smith fan.

[HTown2ATX]

Let's go TEXANS!!!!!!!

Will be at home BBQing up some NY Strips I rubbed and have marinating since last night, jalapeno sausages, potatoes, etc....going all out for last game of the reg season!

Hope everyone had a great and safe New Years and here's to the Texans kicking the door shut on these punk ass inbreds from Bumblescum Mountain today!

[ChrisG]

Who is our PR today? Didn't catch the name or number. Just know it wasn't Jones

[playa465]

Originally Posted by ChrisG

Who is our PR today? Didn't catch the name or number. Just know it wasn't Jones

Shiloh Keo #31