Most Important Game of the Season: Houston Texans Host Tennessee Titans

Granted, similar claims could be made nearly every week in 2009, but this is the most important game of the season for the Houston Texans.  Coming off of a heartbreaking loss, the Texans are hosting the hated Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football.

We don't need to go into all the nitty gritty details, but, it's safe to say these teams have history and don't like each other. 

Highlighted by Titan's owner Bud Adams yanking the Oilers out of Houston to head to, well, let's just call them "other pastures" in Tennessee, and the drafting of Vince Young, these two teams have developed into bitter rivals. 

When you throw in the borderline dirty play of Titan standouts in recent years, such as Albert Haynesworth and Courtland Finnegan, the word "hate" almost seems too nice.

Houston plays host to Monday Night Football for the second time in franchise history, but none is bigger than this game.  The Texans must defeat the Titans.  This is a must win game.  It cannot be clearer.

After losing to the Colts in what could have been a winnable game, the Texans must return to their winning ways in their march towards the playoffs.  A record of 6-4 would help the Texans stick around in the race, but 5-5 would all but doom the team.

We know that the Texans must win the game, but how can they go about winning the game?  Second, can the Texans win this game?

To answer the second question first, yes, the Texans can win this game.  The Texans should win this game.  Now, let's explore the how.

The insertion of Vince Young into the Titan's lineup has re-energized the team.  Young has peeled off three straight wins.  His return to Houston makes for a great story line, but this might make victory easier.  It will surely make victory that much sweeter.

With Young's return, the Titans have become more of a run oriented team.  With the electric Chris Johnson in the backfield, this would seem like a no-brainer.  But, the Texans have become one of the best defenses at stopping the run since these two teams last tussled in Tennessee. 

Let's face it.  Young is still not a game changing quarterback with his arm.  He is still uniquely skilled at making plays with his legs and keeping plays alive.  However, most of Young's completions are safe passes that don't challenge the defense.  The Texans can take away the passing game and force the Titans to be one dimensional.

Here's how Young's insertion helps the Texans.  Against a mobile QB, the Texans will play more zone and will use a spy.  There was no reason to play this way against Kerry Collins.  With the zone and spy techniques, there will be more eyes on Young and the backfield.

This brings us back to Chris Johnson.  It's arguable he's the best running back in the league.  If I can quote Bum Phillips, Johnson might not be the head of the class, but it sure doesn't take that long to call role. 

With more eyes on Young, there will be more eyes on Johnson.  Johnson is less likely to dominate the game against a zone.  Granted, not many players in the league can keep up with him, but with 11 guys flowing to the ball and none looking away from the backfield, I like the Texans' chancec.

Even with Johnson's amazing skills and his recent history of dominance against the Texans, the Texans can win this matchup.  Bernard Pollard and Brian Cushing are largely responsible for the better defensive play since earlier in the season.  Both their physical strength and style have made this a better defense.

Coordinator Frank Bush has shortened his learning curve and is now calling a great game plan from week to week.  The Texans have the players to stop the run.  The entire game goes down to that old adage: stop the run, win the game. 

Further, good defenses can take away the opposition's strength and force them to do what they don't want to do.  Clearly, Johnson is the team's strength and forcing Young to pass to win is what the Titans don't want to do. 

The path to victory and the playoffs is easy to follow.  The Texans must continue to make one step after another.  The next step that must be taken is beating the resurgent Titans.  It's the biggest game of the season.  Till next week.