Texans vs. Titans: 3 2nd-Half Keys to Victory for Tennessee

It took awhile to develop, but the Texans eventually began to dominate this divisional clash.  What do the Titans need to do to ensure they remain atop the AFC South? Here are three keys to victory:

1. Get Containment on Foster

The Titans' disciplined defense has done a great job so far of taking the big play out of the equation. It's no secret that Houston is a little banged up on offense, lacking its biggest weapon in the passing game in Andre Johnson.  True to form, the Texans have been finding any way possible to get Arian Foster the ball in open space.  The secondary has been effective for the most part in shutting down the long game, but stopping Foster in the trenches will be essential in the time possession battle and the field position war. 

2. Watch Out for the Play-Action Pass

I may appear to be contradicting myself here, but the Titans must find a way to stop Arian Foster and Ben Tate without biting on the play-action rollout.  Tennessee has already been burned a couple of times on the trademark play, and it cost them dearly on the Texans' second scoring drive.  They may need to be more conservative on their blitz packages while still assigning a man to keep tabs on Foster.

3. Look Short in the Passing Game 

Hasselbeck looks rusty coming off the bye week and that is a huge advantage for the Texans' defense.  The Titans' QB has not been shy in taking shots downfield and, by and large, that has set their offense back.  A couple of big hits and an interception on those long throws have rendered the Titans' long game essentially ineffective.  It may seen counter-intuitive, but the Titans have an All-Pro running back named Chris Johnson, and they need to do a better job of using him to open up a more balanced attack in the second half.