NFL Week 3: Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans

Two Monster D-linemen lead their team against their arch rivals as the Texans take on the Titans!

Texans vs. Titans Preview:

The Houston Texans must shake the memories and effects of Hurricane Ike as they travel to Nashville to face the former Houston Oilers in the Tennessee Titans. Since the Houston Texans began their existence in 2002 there has been a powerful rivalry between the two teams. A constant war of words between players and a general dislike between fans has turned this AFC South struggle into a marquee match up around the NFL.

Houston Texans Overview:

Rookie RB Steve Slaton will be counted on to carry the load for the Houston Texans offense. Drawing comparisons to Clinton Portis and Reggie Bush, Steve Slaton is a versatile weapon in the passing and running games. QB Matt Schaub has not faired well against the Tennessee Titans in the past, but backup Sage Rosenfels has had career days against them. WR Andre Johnson is one of the best in the NFL and can burn defenses at any time. Coach Alex Gibbs is trying to implement his zone-blocking scheme with a rebuilt offensive line.

Mario Williams is a monster on the Texans defensive line and will be a problem for any offensive lineman. LB DeMeco Ryans joins Mario Williams as the nucleus of the Houston Texans defense. The Houston Texans have a good front seven and are searching for defensive linemen to join Mario Williams and Amobi Okoye. DT Frank Okam might be the answer to the Houston Texans weakness against the run. The Houston Texans secondary is not of high quality, however, and a pass rush is needed to protect it.

Tennessee Titans Overview:

Vince Young is out with injury, but QB Kerry Collins is a grizzled veteran who has an accurate arm. RBs LenDale White and Chris Johnson are quickly becoming a dangerous thunder-n-lightning combination in the backfield. TEs Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife are the basis for the Tennessee Titans passing offense and make up for a weak receiving corps made of Justin Gage and Brandon Jones. The Tennessee Titans offensive line is big, powerful, and made for the running game.

Like Mario Williams for the Houston Texans, DT Albert Haynesworth is the major defensive force for the Tennessee Titans. Albert Haynesworth is the quintessential defensive tackle and always takes two or more blockers. LB Keith Bullock has a killer instinct and is another outstanding playmaker. S Michael Griffin is the leader of the Tennessee Titans secondary while CB Courtland Finnegan is becoming a shutdown corner.

Houston Texans Key to Victory:

The Houston Texans must control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Stopping the impressive Tennessee Titans run game will be difficult due to the Houston Texans general lack of size at the defensive tackle position. DT Frank Okam has the beef to be a run stopper and could rotate in for DT Travis Johnson. Offensively, Steve Slaton must get the running game going to open up Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels. C Chris Meyers must contain Albert Haynesworth if Steve Slaton is to have a chance to run the ball.

Tennessee Titans Key to Victory:

The Tennessee Titans must run the football early and often. A strong running game will keep Mario Williams in check and will open up the weak Houston Texans secondary to the air attack of Kerry Collins. RB Chris Johnson has proved to be a true weapon on offense and must factor into the passing game as well. One of the Tennessee Titans receivers must step up. Albert Haynesworth must play at a high level and stop Steve Slaton and get into Matt Schaub’s head.

Texans vs. Titans Outlook:

With Hurricane Ike and the Vince Young saga working as distractions for both teams, it will be difficult to focus on the game itself. Albert Haynesworth has added fuel to the fire by talking a great deal of smack in the week leading up to the game. If Albert Haynesworth can back up his words on the field, the Houston Texans will lose. With an entire city on their backs however, it will be too early to write the Houston Texans off as underdogs.