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Keys to Victory: Texans vs Titans Week 11

by terrancespitz | 3 years ago | 0 Comments

Keys to Victory: Week 11

Texans (6-3) vs Titans (7-3) Nashville, TN

 

      Greetings RedZoninans! Welcome to the latest installment of "Keys 2 Victory", the first for season 70 of the new cycle.! As my pleasure as always, I am giving you a complete breakdown of the week's top matchup with predictions, analysis, and of course, KEYS 2 VICTORY! We kick things off live from  Nashville, Tennesse, home of the Country Music Hall of Fame where a ton of square dancing and boot scootin' will take place on the gridiorn, as the Titans host divison rival Texans, winner taking sole posession of first place in the AFC South. Both teams are surging at this juncture of the season, looking to pulll away and make a deep playoff run.

 

 

       The Texans are one of the biggest surprises in RedZone this season. Led by a first year head coach, Coach Biggs has an underwhelming roster overachieving and playing great football. At 6-3 coming off of a bye, The Texans have pulled out very close games, showing the fight and mental fortitude of a team destined to shock the league. Rookie QB Davis Mills is leading the offensive attack—though average numbers—sporting an impressive 10 passing TDs to just 2 INTs. Shaking off the rookie angst and growing pains, Mills and the Texans are primed to continue the upward trajectory and claim the AFC South title. Across the field, the mighty Titans are standing at 7-3, riding the wave and trident of Poseidon himself, Derrick Henry. Through 10 games, Henry has amassed 1280 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, both league highs, respectively. The Titans go as Henry goes, and sitting atop the AFC South, the team is looking to run away with the divison title, a so far attainable feat, led by rising star coach, Andrew Vandosoballofabuloso (I think it's Dutch). With what is shaping up to be a stellar game, here are my Keys 2 Victory for Week 11: Texans vs Titans.

 

Keys 2 Victory for HOU: 11-man boxes! Force 3rd Down

 

     Pretty wild, right? How else do you contain the strength and dominance of Derrick Henry? Though playing without a safety may be sacrilegious in every circumstance, this will be the Texans only attempt at limiting Henry and claiming victory. The Texans are capable of just that, sitting 3rd in the league against the run, giving up just 90.3 yards/game. It will be a tough task, but if the Texans are able to neutralize Henry and force the Titans to 3rd and long, they will have a great chance to win. The Titans convert just 42% of their 3rd downs, putting them in the bottom half of the league. QB Ryan Tannehill isn't exactly an imposing force to secondaries, completing just 59% of passes and 29th in the league among all qualifying quarterbacks with 1,897 passing yards. If the Texans can force the Titans into 3rd and long and dare Tannehill to pass the ball, they can escape Nashville with a victory. 

 

Keys 2 Victory for TEN: Cover 1 and send 5!

 

    Behind the Texans' success lies a glaring discrepancy—albeit the scheme and playing to the roster—they cannot stretch the field. Led by Davis Mills who has played considerable well, the Texans average just 6.6 yards per pass attempt, the lowest in the league. The top receiving threat, Tylan Wallace, averages just 49.4 receiving yards per game on 4 catches. The Key for the Titans is to press their corners, play single-high safety, and send 5+ pass rushers at Mills. The Texans rely on quick hitting drags and short routes to the flats. If the Titans play aggressively and take away the underneath route, I don't trust Mills or any Texans' receivers to beat coverage over the top. I expect the Titans to take risks in the secondary and make Davis Mills beat them with the intermediate-to-deep ball. 

 

Predictions: Texans eke out a tight game 17-13 over the Titans. 

 

    The Texans have proven time and time again, they can win the tough, scrappy games. With a gaudy rush defense and a ball control offense, I believe the Texans will find a way to negate Derrick Henry and force Ryan Tannehill to tread high waters in trying to lead with his arm. A feat that Tannehill is not accustomed to, ultimately the lackluster passing game will lead to defeat for the Titans, while the Texans take sole posession of 1st place, atop the AFC South. 

 

Let's see how it pans out, folks!