The Houston Texans delivered exactly what head coach DeMeco Ryans wanted in their regular season finale in Nashville—a 23-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans and a healthy roster heading into the playoffs.
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud was efficient, completing all six of his passes for 50 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive before taking a seat for the rest of the game. The Texans (10-7) snapped a two-game skid and avoided being swept by the Titans, earning their first win since clinching the AFC South title on December 15 against Miami.
“We’ve earned the right to play postseason football, which is always our goal,” Ryans said. “Now we’re excited for the next opportunity, whoever that may be.”
That opponent will be the Los Angeles Chargers, who secured the AFC's fifth seed after defeating the Raiders later Sunday. The Texans, seeded fourth, will host the Chargers in a highly anticipated wild-card game.
Building Momentum
Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins emphasized the importance of entering the playoffs on a high note. "Great momentum heading into next week," Collins said. "I feel like we needed that home-field advantage. There’s no better feeling."
The Texans opened the game with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took over seven minutes and ended with Stroud connecting with Collins for a 2-yard touchdown. That was all Stroud and Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon needed to show. Mixon tallied five carries for 23 yards on the drive before calling it a day, finishing the season with more than 1,000 rushing yards for the fifth time in his career.
Dameon Pierce took over and delivered a career performance, rushing for 176 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown in the second quarter. It marked his second rushing score of the season and gave Houston a commanding 13-0 lead.
Defensively, the Texans made a statement with a big-play highlight from Derek Barnett, who returned a botched Titans handoff 36 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was Barnett’s second defensive touchdown this season and added to a strong performance that included a sack.
Titans End on a Low Note
For the Titans, the loss capped a miserable 3-14 season, tying their franchise record for losses since moving to Tennessee. However, the silver lining for first-year head coach Brian Callahan was securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, thanks to New England’s win over Buffalo.
“It’s not a position I ever want to be in again,” Callahan admitted.
Quarterback Will Levis showed flashes but remained inconsistent, finishing with 175 yards, a touchdown, and a costly fumble returned for a Texans score. While Levis’ future as the Titans’ quarterback remains uncertain, his 49-yard touchdown pass to Tay Martin late in the fourth quarter provided a glimmer of hope in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Injuries
Texans wide receiver John Metchie entered concussion protocol after a late third-quarter hit that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. Linebacker Jake Hansen left the game with an ankle injury. For the Titans, tight end Chig Okonkwo aggravated an abdominal issue in the first quarter.
What’s Next?
The Texans will host the Chargers in the wild-card round, looking to advance past this stage for the second consecutive season under Ryans. Meanwhile, the Titans face a pivotal offseason with questions surrounding their quarterback situation and how to utilize their top draft pick. As they prepare for a massive rebuild, the team’s focus will shift toward turning their fortunes around for the future.
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