CJ Stroud Status Still Uncertain
Texans vs Titans Stats Determined by Houston Quarterback
Houston quarterback CJ Stroud returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, the fourth phase of concussion protocol. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans couldn’t say if he would be cleared for NFL Sunday’s game with Tennessee. Stroud’s absence would be a big one, as Houston needs to win to stay in the playoff chase. The Titans are just playing out the string.
The Texans are favored by 5 points and the total is 43.5. The Texans vs Titans stats will look drastically different depending on who gets the start at quarterback for Houston.
Titans vs Texans 
Day/Time:
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
Line: Houston -5
Total: 43.5
Stream FOX
Who Will Play QB For Titans?
The Houston Texans aren’t the only ones with quarterback questions entering this game. Will Levis also returned to practice Wednesday and wants to get back out on the field. If he will play is still up in the air right now. But with him practicing, you have to think he’ll go if his ankle will allow it. Tennessee Titans will need some production from quarterback, as the Titans averaged just 2.2 rushing yards per carry against Houston two weeks ago.
For the season, the Titans are averaging 107.9 rushing yards per game and 4.1 yards per carry. The passing game has been relatively quiet, with 185.4 yards per game. The Titans average 6.3 yards per attempt against teams allowing 6.5 yards per pass.
Tennessee’s defense hasn’t been bad this season, allowing 21.4 points to NFL teams averaging 22.2 points. The Titans are solid against the run, allowing 3.8 yards per carry. Tennessee isn’t quite as good against the pass. The Titans allow 6.8 yards per pass to teams averaging 6.5 yards.
Houston Still in Decent Playoff Contention
There are three NFL division leaders in the AFC South, with Houston, Jacksonville and Indianapolis all tied at 8-7. The Jaguars hold the tie-breaker. But the Texans can’t afford to be watching the scoreboard. Houston has to take care of business on the field and let the rest take care of itself. Houston’s Super Bowl odds have climbed lately, with the Texans now at +10000. But Houston needs to make the playoffs first. Getting Stroud back here would definitely help.
Houston Texans is averaging 21.9 points per game against teams, allowing 21.9 points. The rushing game hasn’t been anything special. But the passing game with Stroud has been great. With anybody else at quarterback, the Texans take a pretty big step backward.
The Houston defense is wearing down a little bit. The Texans have allowed 30 points in two of the last three games. For the season, Houston allows 22.1 points to teams averaging 20.6 points. The run defense has been solid, allowing just 3.3 yards per carry. But the Texans have allowed some yards through the air. Houston allows 7.2 yards per pass attempt to teams averaging 6.2 yards per pass attempt.
What to Expect
What each team does here largely depends on who starts at quarterback. The Titans are more likely to throw regardless of who starts. Ryan Tannehill will go if Levis is unable to start. But the way to beat Houston is through the air. Teams typically don’t have a lot of success against Houston on the ground.
For the Texans, expect a lot of passes if Stroud gets cleared in time to play. If not, Davis Mills may get the start, and Houston will run the ball a little more. But the NFL records say this is a game the Texans can’t lose.
This is definitely a challenging game for fantasy football players, as well as bettors. The Texans vs Titans stats could drastically change depending on which QBs can get into the starting line-ups.
Who to Bet On?
The Titans haven’t been a good road team this season at all. Tennessee is 1-6 straight-up and 2-5 against the point spread. It’s hard to see them being up for this game, with next week’s home contest against Jacksonville, the one the team is probably looking forward to. That could be the final game for Tannehill and Derrick Henry in Tennessee uniforms.
But the public knows the Texans must win the game, so the point spread might be a shade high. With Stroud, the Texans -5 line is probably a bit low. But without him, it is a little bit high. He may be ready to play, but it’s a matter if he can clear the final stage on concussion protocol. With him, the Texans vs Titans stats will show a sizeable passing edge for the Texans. Without him, it’s anybody’s guess.
The total on the game climbed from 43 to 43.5, which it probably wouldn’t do without Stroud. So, at least somebody thinks he’s going to play. So, we’ll go ahead and take a shot on the Texans -5 against a Tennessee team that shouldn’t be too interested in this one.
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