Texans vs. Titans: 5 Keys to a Houston Victory in Sunday's Game

The Houston Texans are going to need to play a lot better in different aspects of the game if they hope to beat the Tennessee Titans.

This is a huge game for Houston. 

A win against the division leader would shorten the gap between the teams more effectively than against any other team as it is a guaranteed full game gain for Houston in the standings. 

Conversely, a full game loss for Tennessee.

A win also prevents a three-game losing streak for Houston. 

This team does have talent beyond injured star LB Mario Williams and WR Andre Johnson. And that depth must show up on Sunday.

1. Protect Matt Schaub

QB Matt Schaub took a David Carr-type beating against the Baltimore Ravens last week.

He was sacked four times and was absolutely beat up all game.

Luckily it does look like his injuries are not serious and the MRI results have been positive.

The loss of Andre Johnson means defenses have been able to devote an extra player to the run because Houston now lacks a deep threat to keep the defense honest against the pass.

Schaub needs to be protected in order to be at his best. He is at his best when he is able to drop back and make his progressions.

He can scramble, but he is not good enough at it to be doing it as often as he does.

The line will have a slightly easier task this week facing a Titans defense that has only registered 11 sacks this season.

However, this includes a bye week for them so that stat can be a little misleading.

With players like Barrett Ruud and rookies Akeem Ayers and Karl Klug, Houston will need to not let down their guard.

2. The Running Game

The last two games, Houston has been missing not just Andre Johnson but a running game as well.

No Johnson means no deep threat for Houston. This allows the defense to focus more on the run, and the Texans offensive line and Arian Foster have not risen to the occasion.

After coming up big after Johnson left the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Foster has made a disappearing act.

He rushed for 68 yards against the Oakland Raiders and just 48 against the Baltimore Ravens.

He has kept up his receiving numbers up, with 116 receiving yards against Oakland and 52 against Baltimore.

However, Houston needs the running version of their star RB.

If he is unable to get things going then Houston will be in a world of hurt like they were the last two weeks.

However, with a successful running game, pressure is taken off of the hurting passing game. Schaub will get to use play-action again and that is what he is best at to take the blitz pressure off of him. 

3. Defensive Front 7

In the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, QB Matt Hasselbeck was sacked three times and hit seven more times and Hasselbeck was unable to keep pace with Steelers offense. 

The Texans will need to duplicate that kind of pressure and not let Hasselbeck sit pretty in the pocket. 

With the loss of stud pass rushing linebacker Mario Williams, Houston will rely on the depth that they have on the front seven to make up for it.

Last week Houston saw some good play from a few players.

LB Connor Barwin was able to hit Ravens QB Joe Flacco three times despite not recording a sack and DE Antonio Smith continues his good 2011 season with two QB hits himself to go along with two tackles for a loss.

The surprise came from DE Tim Jamison.

He recorded the Texans only two sacks for the game. He also forced a fumble and recovered one.

However, the rest of the Texans defense needs to step up. 

DE J.J. Watt will need to do more than his three tackles and LB DeMeco Ryans must do more than his four tackles. 

They must be a disruptive force in the backfield with sacks and tackles for loss. 

LB Brooks Reed played well in his first career start, with six tackles and a QB hit.

However, Reed will need to get better at getting after the QB, something he can do very well. He just has to show it on the field.

4. TE Play

Without Andre Johnson, the Texans have been trying to find some way to fill the void he leaves. 

Last week, in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Texans were without FB/TE James Casey and TE Owen Daniels was not very effective. 

Daniels was just targeted three times and caught the ball just twice for 13 yards. 

I know Daniels is now being paid more attention by the opposing defenses but that should not be an excuse. 

Daniels absolutely needs to get open and be available to be a consistent option for QB Matt Schaub. 

If not, then Schaub is going to have a harder time and you will see the Texans offense sputter like they did against Baltimore. 

This game, I look to see Daniels get more involved and to correct this mistake. 

Especially since the Titans defense is no Baltimore. 

A healthy James Casey would be nice too. 

His versatility adds so much more to this offense. He can catch, run and block for the Texans.

No matter where he lines up, he has a chance to make a play and cause something good to happen on the field. 

5. Continue Chris Johnson's Poor Season

I know RB Chris Johnson has not been having a good year. 

He has only averaged three yards per carry and with just 250 yards rushing. 

And the Houston Texans' rushing defense is pretty solid. They rank 10th in the NFL in yards allowed on the ground. 

However, keeping him quiet will not be an easy task. 

Johnson has all the talent to break off a big game and the Texans cannot allow this game to be that game. 

The best case for Houston would be if Johnson is kept at bay early and force the Titans to have Hasselbeck drop back and pass. 

This will put guys like rookie LB Brooks Reed, DE Antonio Smith, DE J.J. Watt and LB Connor Barwin in the best position to succeed and get to the QB, which is the strength of this defense. 

This means LB Brian Cushing and LB DeMeco Ryans must be a presence inside and shut down the rushing lanes.