The Houston Texans was in great spirits after a win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.
This took about three hours until reality took hold.
The Titans' second-year quarterback threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, including a 70-yard touchdown pass to Chig Okonkwo en route to a 32-27 victory over the Texans at NRG Stadium.
“The coolest thing about this game was just the way our team fought,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said. “It was a back and forth game. Our guys did a good job of not flinching and keeping their blinders on. We’ve been in games like this before and failed to make a play, but this week we made a play.”
CJ Stroud also threw two early touchdown passes. He also had two interceptions in Houston territory, which led to the Titans scoring. An offensive line that didn't allow a sack in the first 30 minutes allowed four sacks in the second half.
The Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie the game with less than two minutes left, but Ka'imi Fairbairn's 28-yard field goal attempt went wide of the left net. Even after a strong defensive stop, Stroud couldn't stop acting like Dan Orvlosky when Harold Landry sacked him in the end zone for a safety, securing the 5-point game.
handed out player grades for those who witnessed Houston's embarrassing loss in the Lone Star Showdown, and we've broken them down by offense and defense. Below are the five highest and lowest grades on both sides based on the Texans' most confident performance of the regular season.
There were few surprises among the top and bottom scoring players on both offense and defense. In fact, most of you can already guess who created outstanding and terrible fashion.
Here's a look at Houston's performance as it prepares for its final matchup against the Jaguars in Jacksonville before the bye week.
Top 5 offenses
November 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) receives the ball as Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (29) attempts a tackle during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
- WR Nico Collins. – 81.3
- OT Tytus Howard – 71.1
- WR Tank Dell – 70.6
- WR Robert Woods – 69.1
- OT Laremy Tunsil – 67.7
Bottom 5 attack
November 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (7) under center against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
- OL Juice Scruggs – 45.6
- OL Jarrett Patterson – 47.8
- RB Dare Ogubowale – 53.2
- OL Shaq Mason – 56.3
- TE Dalton Schultz – 54.8
Top 5 defense
November 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) celebrates with cornerback Kamari Lassiter (4) after a tackle in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
- DE Will Anderson – 90.5
- LB Devin White – 85.2
- DE Derek Barnett – 84.6
- DB Jimmie Ward – 84.0
- DL Dylan Horton – 81.6
Defending the bottom 5
November 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. (97) celebrates after a fumble recovery in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
- DB Eric Murray – 37.5
- DB Derek Stingley Jr. – 43.5
- DB Jalen Pitre – 47.8
- DL Mario Edwards Jr. – 50.9
- DL Denico Autry – 56.5
Other personalities
November 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; The Houston Texans defense huddles against the Tennessee Titans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory attribution: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
- DE Danielle Hunter – 77.7
- DL Kurt Hinish – 67.1
- DB Calen Bullock – 69.4
- LB Azeez Al-Shair – 58.4
- DL Tommy Togiai – 62.7
- WR Xavier Hutchinson – 63.1
- TE Cade Stover – 65.2
- WR John Metchie III – 62.1
- QB CJ Stroud – 63.2