Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans: NFL experts make Week 11 picks

As the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans prepare to face off in their Week 11 matchup, NFL experts from around the league are weighing in with their predictions for the game. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs this season, making this game an intriguing matchup for fans and analysts alike.

The Titans come into this game with a solid 6-3 record, sitting atop the AFC South standings. Led by star quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry, the Titans have been one of the most explosive offenses in the league this season. Tannehill has been efficient and effective, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns so far this season. Henry, on the other hand, has been a force to be reckoned with in the running game, rushing for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. With weapons like wide receivers A.J. Brown and Julio Jones at his disposal, Tannehill has plenty of options to keep the Texans defense on their toes.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Titans have been solid but not spectacular. They have given up their fair share of points this season, but they have also been able to come up with key stops when it matters most. Linebacker Harold Landry has been a standout performer for the Titans, recording 7.5 sacks so far this season. The secondary, led by veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins, has also been solid, intercepting 8 passes and holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 85.5.

On the other side of the ball, the Houston Texans come into this game with a disappointing 1-8 record, sitting at the bottom of the AFC South standings. The Texans have struggled on both sides of the ball this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in both points scored and points allowed. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been serviceable when healthy, throwing for over 1,000 yards and 5 touchdowns in limited action. However, injuries have plagued Taylor this season, forcing the Texans to rely on backup quarterbacks Davis Mills and Jeff Driskel for much of the year.

The Texans’ running game has also been subpar this season, with running back David Johnson failing to make much of an impact. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been a bright spot for the Texans, leading the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. However, the lack of a consistent running game has put a lot of pressure on the passing attack, making it easier for opposing defenses to key in on Cooks and disrupt the Texans’ offense.

Defensively, the Texans have struggled mightily this season, giving up an average of over 400 yards and 30 points per game. The pass rush has been virtually nonexistent, with the Texans recording just 11 sacks as a team. Linebacker Zach Cunningham has been a bright spot for the Texans, leading the team in tackles and interceptions. However, the lack of playmakers on the defensive side of the ball has been a major issue for the Texans all season.

As the Titans and Texans prepare to face off in Week 11, NFL experts are divided on who will come out on top in this matchup. Some believe that the Titans’ high-powered offense will be too much for the Texans to handle, while others think that the Texans’ defense will be able to contain Tannehill and company. Ultimately, the outcome of this game will likely come down to which team can make the most plays on both sides of the ball.

One key factor to watch in this game will be the battle in the trenches. The Titans’ offensive line has been solid this season, giving Tannehill plenty of time to make plays in the passing game. However, the Texans’ pass rush has been lackluster, which could give Tannehill even more time to pick apart the defense. On the other side of the ball, the Titans’ defense will need to find a way to generate pressure on Taylor and disrupt the Texans’ passing attack. If the Titans can win the battle in the trenches, they should be able to come out on top in this game.

Another key factor to watch will be the turnover battle. The Titans have been relatively good at protecting the football this season, with Tannehill throwing just 4 interceptions. However, the Texans’ defense has been able to force turnovers at times this season, with 7 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries. If the Texans can win the turnover battle and give their offense some short fields to work with, they could pull off the upset in this game.

In terms of coaching, the Titans have a clear advantage with Mike Vrabel at the helm. Vrabel has done an excellent job of getting his team prepared each week and making in-game adjustments when needed. On the other hand, Texans head coach David Culley has struggled in his first season with the team, making questionable decisions at times and failing to put his team in the best position to win. If Vrabel can outcoach Culley in this game, the Titans should have a significant advantage.

Ultimately, this game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair, with both offenses capable of putting up points in a hurry. The key for the Titans will be to establish the running game early with Henry and then let Tannehill take shots down the field to Brown and Jones. If the Titans can build an early lead and force the Texans to become one-dimensional on offense, they should be able to control the game and come out with a win.

On the other hand, the Texans will need to find a way to slow down Henry and force Tannehill into mistakes. If the Texans can get pressure on Tannehill and force him into turnovers, they could keep this game close and give themselves a chance to pull off the upset. However, if the Texans’ defense struggles to contain the Titans’ offense and their own offense sputters, it could be a long day for Houston.

In the end, the Titans are the clear favorites in this matchup, with their high-powered offense and solid defense giving them the edge over the struggling Texans. While the Texans have shown flashes of potential at times this season, they have been unable to put it all together consistently. Barring a major collapse by the Titans, it is likely that Tennessee will come out on top in this game and continue their push for a playoff spot. However, in the NFL, anything can happen on any given Sunday, so fans will have to tune in to see how this exciting matchup unfolds.

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Source: USA Today