Nov 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) on the sidelines during the game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The trouncing of the Titans was a beautiful scene. As one who grew up a huge Oilers fan, the remnants of that storied franchise imploding in Houston to the Texans was just sweet, sweet karma. Ryan Fitzpatrick responded to being benched by leading the Texans to a 21-45 victory against a team he once played for. 6 touchdown passes over on 24/33 passing with no INT is something special. J.J. Watt’s aces catch with his arms stretched beyond the defender was even better. The defense making the Titans afraid to throw for fear of picks and unable to run was even better. Mallett might have only had one good game, but that game the offensive line really played well, and they’ve played that well for three games now.
Let’s not kid ourselves though, this was a 2-10 Titans team that imploded before an onslaught of above average play. The Texans are only 6-6, they are on the outside of the playoffs needing a lot of help just to get in. Sorry, have to keep this win in perspective as there is a lot of work to go. Next week the Texans face off against another 2-10 team in Jacksonville. A good win there means little in the grand scheme of things but it does keep slim hope alive for another week. That slim hope then goes with Houston as the travel to the stadium where dreams die and wins have never come. Indianapolis. The Texans have to pull off a victory to keep any prayer of making a wild card spot. After that win, come the Ravens to town. We all watched the Texans put it all together against the Titans, the next four games are the test of the players discipline and desire.
More from Houston Texans News
- Houston Texans: Can Sean Payton really be the next head coach?
- Houston Texans Draft: Michael Mayer should be a no doubter at pick 12
- Houston Texans already telling fans the Davis Mills era is over
- Houston Texans have hand forced, waste no time in firing Lovie Smith
- Houston Texans: Pros and Cons of keeping Head Coach Lovie Smith
If the Texans are 9-6 at that point, get excited. Happily, what we saw Sunday against the Titans was how the team should operate, and might just be that game it all comes together. Romeo Crennel’s defense managed to put together a miserable day for the Titans with 3 interceptions and a fumble recovered it was a game the defense can point to and say “this is how we roll”. Can they do that against Luck? Against Flacco? Such remains to be seen but having a game where you get everything right makes it easier to do again.
The Texans 2014 campaign has been more painful, and more fun then we anticipated so far. The rise of J.J. Watt as an offensive threat certainly wasn’t foreseen, but the struggles of Ryan Fitzpatrick were almost a given. Right now the Texans have the chance for a chance to play a little extra football in the post season, what they did to the Titans, they need to build on moving forward.
Keep your browsers here to the Torotimes for all your Texans news and insight!
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or Twitter!