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Tennessee Titans: Three things to watch for vs. Texans

By Colton Pickard

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans on the field after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans on the field after a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Titans are heading to the oil derricks of Houston to take on division-rival Texans and need a win to make the playoffs.

There’s a lot the Tennessee Titans need to correct from its past two games if it wants to return back to the playoffs after losing last year’s win-or-go-home game against division rival Colts.

If the Titans can make the playoffs, there’s a pretty good chance we could see Ryan Tannehill in Nashville long-term, along with a couple of other key players.

If not, then the Titans’ front office will reexamine some things before the 2020 season. Let’s hope it’s the former as we enter the final weekend of the regular season, and not the latter.

Some may already believe that Tannehill has already earned a contract with the Titans, and I agree with them, but he needs to show out on Sunday and get the win to earn a big, long-term contract.

Tannehill had a chance to break a record against the Saints but did not perform his best, so he didn’t reach the mark necessary. Record or not, Tannehill needs to finish off his season with a win.

If Tannehill can put up big numbers against the Texans, then the Titans might not be able to throw the game away. One thing the offense needs to focus on is turnovers.

The Titans rarely lose when they win the turnover battle, but with the Texans’ high-powered offense, the Titans need to keep turnovers down to zero on Sunday.

If the Titans offense can do that, then the defense will be able to play with a little more comfort. Titans’ safety Kevin Byard already seems like he’s ready to lock down the Texans’ offense.

If he can lead the secondary to shut down the Texans, then that will be a big, big step towards getting the win.

Watch for the Titans’ secondary on Sunday. If they come out early and don’t allow anything through the air, then Sunday could be a good day for the defense. If they allow the Texans’ offense to do whatever they want through the air, then I don’t think the Titans’ offense will keep up.

The final thing to watch for is, can Derrick Henry continue the momentum on the ground? For the offense to be successful, the run game needs to be productive so Tannehill can run play-action and feel comfortable in the pocket throughout the game.

If the run game can offer comfortability to Tannehill, then he’ll be able to sling the ball throughout the game. That’s the biggest thing to watch for in the Titans’ matchup on Sunday.

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It’s creeping up on us, and it will be a season-defining game for the Titans and Tannehill. Will the Titans be playing on Wild Card Weekend in 2020?

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