Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans: Complete Week 8 Preview for Houston

Through seven weeks of the 2014 season, it has become obvious that the Houston Texans have a special skill; unfortunately, that skill is finding unique and creative ways to blow games and crush the spirits of their fans.

It's not a skill that I enjoy watching from week to week.

Chicken soup for the team that has lost three in a row, though, could be facing the Tennessee Titans, who have struggled even more than the 3-4 Texans this season.

The Titans have lost five out of their last six games and rank in the bottom third of the league in both points scored and points allowed per game. Setting the table even more for a big bounce back is the fact that the Titans will be starting a rookie sixth-round quarterback.

If the Texans can't win this game, well, you know how to finish that thought.

They need this win badly.

Maybe my read on them is off, but at times they seem like a team that lets momentum build against them quickly once a setback happens. It' as if they think "Here we go again," and suddenly a massive snowball has formed to crush them in its path as it rolls down the mountain.

Winning this game doesn't mean that they're a great team or improve their playoff chances drastically, but it would even up their record for the year. Not being below the .500 mark at the halfway point of the season would be psychologically important as the Texans head into the second half.

Week 7 Recap

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

At some point the sting of crushing defeats like one the Houston Texans suffered against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week will fade into apathy of their results, but I'm not there yet.

After 12 full seasons and almost half of this one of dealing with the same type of result, the normal human response would be to move on, but I can't quit the Texans no matter how badly they treat fans week to week and year to year.

If I ever do reach the point of apathy, then it will be time to find something else to do on Sundays during the fall, but I love football and this city, so I don't imagine I'll ever reach that point. If you're a big enough fan to read an article like this, I'm sure you feel the same way.

It's funny how as football fans we have more patience with our team than we do with many people in our life. That's probably not a good thing, but it's our reality. We're hooked on it like a batch of the blue stuff.

What makes this three-game losing streak even more frustrating is that the Texans had legitimate chances to win each game. If they get blown out and are clearly the inferior team, then it's easy to write off a loss, but that hasn't been the case recently.

During the three-game losing streak—to the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts and Steelers—the Texans were only outscored in one quarter of each game. The problem against the Colts and Steelers was that in the one quarter they were outscored, they were outscored by a combined 42 points.

There isn't much to point out specifically as positives from last week, but not surprisingly Arian Foster once again had a great game on the ground. He finished with 102 yards, which was the fifth time out of six starts this season that he went over the 100-yard mark.

One interesting note on the running game from last week was that Foster ran for 76 yards on nine carries—8.4 yards per carry—to the right side compared to just 25 yards on seven carries—3.5 yards per carry—to the left side.

Many of you are probably wondering what might cause that discrepancy and my answer would be that it's the play of left guard Ben Jones, who is just too small and not strong enough to play guard in the NFL. It's time for the second-round rookie Xavier Su'a-Filo to get more playing time.

Su'a-Filo had some bad plays in pass protection when he started against the Colts a couple of weeks ago, but the team also had great success running behind him with Foster and Alfred Blue. He's their future at the position, while Jones clearly is not; the rookie needs to start and go through the growing pains.

A couple of other players who played well beside the obvious one of J.J. Watt were Ryan Pickett and Whitney Mercilus.

Pickett has excelled as the nose tackle against the run since signing with the team in September. He routinely takes on double-teams and can split the gap or more often plug up potential holes by not giving up any ground, which allows for the linebackers to make a play. 

"

Big Pickett! #Texans https://t.co/ytGkCzOf1G

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 21, 2014"

If there has been a silver lining of sorts from the absence of Jadeveon Clowney, it's that Mercilus has finally started elevating p his level of play.

The former first-round pick hasn't suffered from the same frequent bouts of confusion on the field recently that seemed to plague him and make him look slow to react earlier in his career. Against Pittsburgh, Mercilus came away with two sacks and a forced fumble.

If he continues to produce—a big if—once Clowney gets back, then suddenly the Texans pass rush, which had been Watt or bust, could transform into a heck of a group.

That was pretty much the end of the list on positives from the game.

On the negative side there were miscommunication and blown assignments again. 

"

Swearinger is telling someone to get out there. But who? #Texans https://t.co/SJWGBAnHe0

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 21, 2014"

There were also times when the coverage just got beaten. 

"

JJo shook. #Texans https://t.co/cdrYBTDROw

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 21, 2014"

Perhaps worst of all, there were too many turnovers with the Texans finishing at minus-two for the game. In their wins this season, the Texans have been able to mask some of their shortcomings by causing turnovers.

Not only did they lose the turnover battle, but their three turnovers led to 17 points for the Steelers, who gained a combined total of 28 yards on those three scoring drives.

It's hard to blame the defense for those 17 points when the Steelers only had to drive 28 yards combined to put them up. Offensive turnovers gave up more points to Pittsburgh than the defense did—17 to 13—and was easily the biggest reason for the defeat.

Needless to say, the Texans' margin for error from week to week is very small because of who they have at quarterback. Being minus-two in the turnover battle is going to result in a loss nearly every time.

News and Notes

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Will He or Won't He Play with Jadeveon Clowney

My guess is that first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney will play, but he'll probably be limited. Much like how Aldon Smith was used by the San Francisco 49ers during his rookie season, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel indicated that Clowney might be limited to playing only as a rusher in passing situations.

"

When Clowney returns, #Texans will use him on third downs to rush the passer, Romeo Crennel says.

— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) October 23, 2014 "

"

Jadeveon Clowney says he would be surprised if he didn't play this weekend vs Titans. #Texans

— Daniel Gotera (@DTGoteraKHOU) October 23, 2014"

The skill of getting after the quarterback is obviously what led to his selection, but everyone would like to see him on first and second down as well.

However, why would the team want to rush him back?

The team and its fans have wanted to see someone like Clowney raise hell for 10 years or more, so risking the long term for one game against the Tennessee Titans would be shortsighted. I'm not saying they should baby him, but there's no reason to rush him back if he's not ready.

This isn't a playoff team, so the future is more important than Week 8 this year.

Brian Cushing Could Be Out for Several Weeks

There seems to be some confusion as to if or how long Brian Cushing will be out, but I'd be surprised if he plays again before the game against the Cleveland Browns after the bye week.  

"

O'Brien said there isn't any accuracy to @ProFootballTalk report about Brian Cushing being out vs. #Titans and likely out through bye week.

— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) October 23, 2014"

"

BRIAN CUSHING @HoustonTexans current L knee issues will not be solved with one week rest. Likely cartilage issue, at best return after bye.

— David J. Chao, MD (@ProFootballDoc) October 24, 2014"

If you watch him play for one series, it's obvious that something isn't right.

He lacks any of the explosion he had before. His change of direction and lateral movement seem several steps slower than before, and he doesn't get off blocks as well, which could be due to a lack of lower-body power with a knee injury. 

"

Sigh. #Texans https://t.co/pFzHzgFPfr

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 21, 2014 "

"

According to STATS Ice, the leaders at LB in “missed tackles” are: 1. Brian Cushing (7), 2. Nate Irving (7), 3. Julius Peppers (7)

— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) October 21, 2014"

The Texans can defeat the Titans without Cushing; they've already defeated three other bad teams when he might as well have been sitting out because of how poorly he played.

Don't Hold Your Breath While Waiting on Ryan Mallett to Start

We can ask, plead and beg, but Bill O'Brien isn't going to start Ryan Mallett anytime soon. 

"

Bill O'Brien says Ryan Mallett is much improved but Ryan Fitzpatrick is the Texans QB. Offensive problems are not to be blamed on one person

— Drew Shirley Sports (@DrewShirleyKHOU) October 21, 2014"

To some extent Coach O'Brien is right; the Texans' issues are more than just one position. Taking it one step further, the Texans are more than just a good quarterback away from being a great team.

Considering how they have struggled to protect the passer at times and how slow Mallett is in comparison to Fitzpatrick, starting him right now might lead to a short-term disaster. However, as I've pointed out before, the benefit to starting Mallett soon is about the future and not for immediate results.

Chances are that Mallett is not the future at the position, but he has a significantly better chance of being that guy than Fitzpatrick. Mallett has the size and arm strength to play the position, is younger than Fitzpatrick and was drafted four rounds earlier.

College success or failure doesn't mean much in terms of predicting NFL success, but since Mallett hasn't played yet in the NFL, that's nearly all we have to go on.

Speaking of that, I'm tired of hearing about his inexperience as a reason not to play him; all quarterbacks start off with zero starts or snaps. If having zero starts disqualified players from consideration, then how do rookies ever get any playing time?

Lack of experience might be worth taking into consideration if Mallett was stepping into a starting role for a playoff contender, but the Texans aren't one. Identifying the strengths, weaknesses and the building blocks for the future should be the more important goal this year than making the playoffs.

Reaching and winning playoff games is always the objective, but that goal isn't obtainable this year with this roster. To make that goal more attainable for 2015 and beyond, the Texans have to play their young players at positions where there isn't an established starter. That certainly includes quarterback.

Mallett will be a free agent when the season is over; shouldn't the team get a look at him on the field before it has to make the decision to let him walk or offer a new contract?

What's the worst-case scenario if Mallett played—maybe a 5-11 record? Would you really remember a 7-9 season with Fitzpatrick that much more fondly than a 5-11 season with Mallett? Of course not—no one will remember in five years, and the two extra losses might get the Texans a better draft pick.

If Mallett is a train wreck, then the team can always go back to Fitzpatrick or perhaps even give Tom Savage a shot. Maybe I'm alone on this one, but I see no downside to starting Mallett and no upside to continuing to start Fitzpatrick considering what the goals of this season should be.

Injury Report

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Brian Cushing	Knee	Out
Jadeveon Clowney	Knee	Questionable
A.J. Bouye	Illness	Questionable
Darryl Morris	Ankle	Questionable
Johnathan Joseph	Knee	Questionable
Mike Mohamed	Calf	Probable
Jeff Tarpinian	Knee	Questionable
Brooks Reed	Groin	Questionable
Andre Johnson	Ankle	Questionable
Tim Jamison	Groin	Probable
John Simon	Ankle	Questionable
Jerrell Powe	Shoulder	Probable

Information via Pro Football Reference after Thursday's practice.

X-Factor and Matchups to Watch

Joe Sargent/Getty Images

Texans' Linebackers and Safeties in Coverage Against Delanie Walker

This team going back for several years now has struggled to cover good tight ends, and the Titans have one with Delanie Walker. He ranks first on the team in receiving yards and second in receptions and receiving touchdowns behind Kendall Wright.

Brian Cushing struggled last week trying to cover running backs and tight ends, and now he might be out for the next several weeks. Who will get that responsibility now? Justin Tuggle or Mike Mohamed? I don't have much faith that either player can stay with Walker consistently.

Luckily for Houston, the Titans will have a quarterback making his first career NFL start trying to throw him the football.

Texans' Interior Offensive Line Against Jurrell Casey

Jurrell Casey is the Titans' J.J. Watt.

Settle down, I'm not saying he's as good as Watt—who I believe to be without a doubt the best defensive player in the league—but Casey is their most disruptive pass-rusher. He made the Pro Bowl last season at defensive tackle.

Casey collected 10.5 sacks last season, which is impressive for an interior lineman, and leads the Titans this season in sacks with four. If the Titans have any chance of causing turnovers or stuffing the run with penetration into the backfield, it will come from Casey.

If I were designing the defensive game plan for the Titans, I would line up Casey right over Ben Jones, who is an undersized guard and really shouldn't be starting.

Ryan Fitzpatrick scrambles well, and Arian Foster is nifty with his feet, but neither player will make a play if a 300-pound lineman is constantly getting penetration right up the gut.

X-Factor of the Week: Ryan Pickett

The addition of veteran nose tackle Ryan Pickett has been a breath of fresh air for the run defense. By no means have the Texans been the "Steel Curtain" or anything close to that, but their run defense improved dramatically once Pickett was signed a couple of weeks into the season by general manager Rick Smith.

Pickett is a true nose tackle who plays big and nasty unlike some of the undersized players that Wade Smith used in years past. Watch him for any series, and you'll see Pickett taking on double-teams constantly and not giving an inch. 

"

Nose tackle time? Ryan Pickett splitting the double team. #Texans https://t.co/kQ4yoxguH1

— PDS (@PatDStat) October 23, 2014"

If an opponent finds a hole in the run defense, it's not because Pickett is giving it up. Failures in run defense have most often this year been due to the other defensive end opposite of Watt getting pushed off the line and into a linebacker, or because Watt's tendency to freelance and split gaps opened up a lane.

With the Titans starting a rookie quarterback this week, most will expect them to lean on their running game. Their rushing attack hasn't been that great this year—the team ranks 22nd in yards—but with Cushing out, the Texans will need their massive nose tackle to eat up blocks and keep guys off the linebackers even more.

If Pickett plays well and the Texans are able to stop the run and make the Titans one-dimensional with the pass, then they'll have a great chance to sack Zach Mettenberger and force him into making few turnovers. If that happens, Houston will win the game easily.

Prediction

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Predicting how the Texans will do from week to week this season has been pretty easy.

Whenever they've faced a quarterback equal to or worse than their own quarterback, they've won. Whenever they've faced a team with a better quarterback—Eli Manning, Tony Romo, Andrew Luck and Ben Roethlisberger—they've lost.

This week the Texans will face Zach Mettenberger, who will be making his NFL debut. He may turn out to be a great quarterback, but I don't see any way for a rookie picked in the sixth round with the players he has around him to win his first start.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is a liability most weeks, but he could be in for a good game this week facing a Titans defense that ranks 21st in passing yards allowed per game, 20th in passing touchdowns allowed and 21st in passing plays over 20 yards allowed.

The Titans have been equally porous against the run with a rank of 22nd and 20th, respectively, in rushing yards allowed per game and rushing touchdowns allowed, so Arian Foster could also be in for a big day. 

Prediction: Texans 24, Titans 13

Follow me on Twitter for more Texans opinion and analysis: @sackedbybmac