Scout.com > Houston Game Preview: Texans at Titans Story URL: http://hou.scout.com/2/791942.html Charlie Bernstein BattleRedNation.com Sep 18, 2008 Game preview for the Houston Texans as they travel to Nashville to play the Tennessee Titans. Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans Sunday, September 21st, 2008, 1:00 p.m. LP Field, Nashville, TN Records: Houston 0-1, Tennessee 2-0 Series History: Tennessee leads 10-2; Tennessee won both meetings last year, 38-36 in Houston, and 28-20 in Tennessee. The Titans have won six straight in the series. Tennessee offense 20th overall (23rd passing, 6th rushing); Scoring- T17th- 20.5 ppg. vs. Houston defense 15th overall (2nd passing, 29th rushing); Scoring- 30th- 38.0 ppg. The Titans offense is predicated on a strong running game with some timely play-action passing when everything is going well. Although their offensive line is one of the league’s best, they are playing with a backup quarterback in Kerry Collins. Collins supplanted the injured (both physically and mentally) Vince Young, and offers more of a pocket passer for the Titans offense. Tennessee has a wealth of talent at running back with 1100 yard rusher LenDale White, who is a powerful, yet nimble back that can run between the tackles; First-round pick Chris Johnson has blazing speed, and some experts compare his abilities to Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook; Former second-round pick Chris Henry has struggled since coming into the league, but he has speed and power. The passing game is where it gets dicey for the Titans. Collins will make due with a lack of talent at wide receiver. Justin Gage may be the Titans best returning wide receiver along with Justin McCareins, and Brandon Jones. The Titans use the tight ends in the passing game as Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler are solid targets. The Texans biggest question mark on defense is their pass rush, as they have few people that can get after the quarterback aside from Mario Williams. Nobody aside from Williams recorded a sack or even much pressure in the Texans season opener. Amobi Okoye seems poised to take the next step toward being one of the elite DT’s in the game in just his second season. Best offensive matchup for Tennessee: Titans offensive line vs. Texans defensive line- It’s no secret that the Titans like to run the football behind one of the best offensive lines in the game. It’s strength vs. weakness here. Best defensive matchup for Houston: Any Texans defensive back vs. any Titans receiver- The Titans receivers are simply not very good. Houston offense 28th overall (20th passing, 26th rushing); Scoring- 22nd- 17.0 ppg. vs. Tennessee defense 2nd overall (7th passing, 2nd rushing); Scoring- 1st 8.5 ppg. The Houston offense has a few more questions this week than a week prior, as Matt Schaub was very inaccurate and looked anything like a top-ten passer (like he’s being paid to be). The running game is where the Texans have some more questions, as Ahman Green has been injury-prone over the last three seasons, and hurt his ankle during the opener. Backing up Green is rookie Steve Slaton, who has game-breaking speed, but there are questions if he can be effective running between the tackles. Attempting to clog up the middle will one of the best DT’s in the game in Albert Haynesworth. Along side Haynesworth is the underrated Tony Brown, with pass rushers Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse on the outside. Tennessee has big play linebacker Keith Bullock along with Ryan Fowler and former Indianapolis Colt, David Thornton. The Titans secondary is very solid, as cornerback Cortland Finnegan is a budding star and Nick Harper is above average. Safeties Chris Hope and Michael Griffin are hard hitters, but vulnerable to play-action. The passing attack is where Houston can really do damage, as Matt Schaub has one of the best WR’s in the NFL in Andre Johnson. Johnson is a complete receiver, as he runs great routes, has no fear of going over the middle, and has deep speed. Opposite Johnson is Kevin Walter, who is an overachieving receiver, as well as Andre Davis, who is a deep threat. Schaub has a nice option over the middle, as tight end Owen Daniels routinely makes third down catches. Best offensive matchup for Houston: Wide receiver Andre Johnson vs. cornerback Nick Harper- Johnson is a mismatch for any corner in the league, and the Titans will be forced to roll coverage to Johnson’s side. Best defensive matchup for Tennessee: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth vs. center Chris Myers- Haynesworth is an impact player that must be double-teamed as he can both clog up the run, and rush the passer. Special teams Tennessee: PK Rod Bironas, P Craig Hentrich, LS Ken Amato, KOR Chris Henry, PR Cortland Finnegan Houston: PK Kris Brown, P Matt Turk, LS Bryan Pittman, KOR Andre Davis, PR Jacoby Jones Special teams advantage: The Texans have some advantages in the return game, as Andre Davis and Jacoby Jones have game-breaking speed, and both kickers are solid. Houston has a very slight advantage in the punting game. Charlie Bernstein is the Editor-in-Chief of Sports Media Interactive, covering multiple teams in the National Football League, NCAA, and National Basketball Association. Charlie is a regular syndicated contributor to FoxSports and Sirius NFL Radio, and has been featured on the NFL Network. Charlie is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Feel free to contact him -HERE- with questions or comments. For more, go to: BattleRedNation.com Copyright © Scout.com and BattleRedNation.com