The Houston Texans have no incentive to rest healthy starters in Week 17
By Jair Lopez
The Houston Texans still have a lot on the line in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans.
Despite securing a playoff berth in Week 16 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a narrow 23-20 win, the Houston Texans still have a lot to play for in Week 17. The Texans still have an outside opportunity to move into the third seed of the AFC if specific results tilt their way.
The Texans have impressed this season by winning big games against very tough opponents, and they have the opportunity to match their best win-loss record in Bill O’Brien’s tenure as the Texans’ head coach.
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No matter what is said in the media, this game against the Tennessee Titans means a lot to both teams besides the obvious franchise ties between both cities because of the history O’Brien and Titans’ head coach Mike Vrabel share.
There is a particular rivalry with Vrabel coming up under O’Brien’s tutelage and coaching his first NFL team with the Titans. The Texans will be doing the Titans no favors by allowing Tennessee to clinch a playoff spot by defeating Houston.
Although it’s unlikely the Texans play banged-up players in the final game of the regular season, several healthy starters could see some action in this game if they are good to go.
Deshaun Watson revealed in the press conference that he has no intention of sitting out this game with the playoffs just around the corner. “I don’t want to take a day off. I’m not expecting it, just going out there to do my job, find a way to get 11 wins, and continue this momentum going into the playoffs.”
The Texans still have several questions to answer in their offense with Watson throwing for 719 yards, three touchdowns to five interceptions, and only completing over 60 percent of passes once in the last three games.
Next. Max Scharping has been well worth a 2nd-round choice. dark
Texans are putting the finishing touch in their playoff rotations, and this game can serve as a great test against a competitive team that has a playoff spot on the line.