The Houston Texans face off against division (and historical) foes the Tennessee Titans in Nashville this afternoon, and we’re here on Sunday morning, getting ready for day to unfold. Most wouldn’t expect a team from Tennessee to be a natural rival for a team from Texas (we’ve got the Southern Oklahoma Silver Stars to loathe and despise, as well as the Neckbeard Horseshoes) but the Titans control the Oilers’ history, and our loyalty is to Houston, and so, we rejoice in their general sh.ttiness any hope it continues for eternity. These two teams have faced one another 32 times since our inception. The wrong team has won 17 times. In our first decade, the Titans won 12 of the 16 matchups, but since the 2010 season, our guys have won 11 of 16 games played. This is where we’re counting down until the action begins. The first quarter open thread launches at 11:45 Central Time. Until then, marinate here and discuss anything Texans-focused.<doc-sep>Winslow Townson/Associated Press The Houston Texans (0-1) will be on the road for the second consecutive week on Sunday when they visit the Tennessee Titans (0-1) as small underdogs at sportsbooks. The Texans and Titans both lost by identical 27-20 scores away from home last week, with the former falling to the New England Patriots and the latter to the Miami Dolphins. NFL point spread: The Texans opened as 2.5-point favorites; the total was 45.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report) NFL betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 21.1-21.0 Texans (NFL picks on every game) Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week’s top sports betting news. Why the Texans can cover the spread Video Play Button Videos you might like First of all, Houston has won nine of the past 12 meetings with Tennessee, according to the OddsShark NFL Database. The Texans also have nothing to be ashamed about in losing to the defending AFC champion Patriots 27-20 in Week 1. They battled back in the second half and outscored the Patriots 14-6 to almost cover the spread as 6.5-point road underdogs. That said, Houston will have an easier opponent this week, but it is a divisional foe who will not be underestimated by either the coaches or players. Why the Titans can cover the spread The Titans also lost 27-20 to the Dolphins in a game that featured two lightning delays and was the longest since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger at a little more than seven hours. Like the Texans, they had their moments and simply could not come through at the end of a game that closed as a pick'em. Tennessee now returns home to host a Houston team that has lost eight straight games on the road by an average margin of 13 points. The Titans made the playoffs last season and obviously do not want to regress in this spot by dropping to 0-2, so look for them to play harder for their home fans on Sunday. Smart betting pick The status of Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota (elbow) is worth monitoring closely before betting on this AFC South matchup, but he did practice on Wednesday and looks like he will be able to start barring any setbacks. That is great news for the Titans, although the Texans also have a dangerous offensive weapon under center in Deshaun Watson. Five of Tennessee's last seven home games have gone over the total, and this one will also finish above the number in another high-scoring affair. NFL betting trends The Texans are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games against the Titans. The total has gone over in five of the Titans' last seven games at home. The Titans are 1-5 SU in their last six games at home in September. All NFL odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app.<doc-sep>The heavy waves of optimism were rolling for both the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans coming into the 2018 season. At the outset of training camp both teams had taken aim at winning the AFC South and positioning themselves for a deep playoff run. But after disappointing showings in their respective season openers (matching 27-20 losses), both squads are coming into a pivotal Week 2 divisional matchup with more questions than answers. The Texans came out flat on both sides of the ball against New England. What was supposed to be a rousing return of defensive stars JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus, both of whom appeared in only five games last season due to injury, was almost too faint to notice. The former All-Pros combined for five tackles and two quarterback hits in their comeback as Tom Brady picked apart the Houston defense for three passing touchdowns. The reappearance of quarterback Deshaun Watson was almost as lackluster. Watson, who missed nine games last season with a torn ACL, didn’t show any flashes of the player who turned so many heads in his rookie campaign, completing 17-of-34 passes for 176 yards and two turnovers (1INT, 1 fumble). Of course, it’s wildly unfair to judge Watson based off his first game back from major knee surgery and in only the eighth start of his young NFL career. Watson has the opportunity to bounce back this Sunday against a Titans defense that allowed Ryan Tannehill to complete over 70 percent of his passes at more than eight yards a clip after not taking a regular season snap in 637 days. Last Sunday’s third quarter in Miami proved to be the quarter from hell for the Titans. Quarterback Marcus Mariota was pulled from the game in favor of Blaine Gabbert after throwing back-to-back picks, a likely symptom from an elbow injury sustained earlier in the quarter. The Titans’ best offensive lineman , left tackle Taylor Lewan, was knocked out cold on a dirty, blindside block during an interception return that immediately sent him into concussion protocol, and he's listed as questionable for this week. And sadly, Mariota’s best target and team captain, tight end Delanie Walker, was lost for the season after being carted off the soggy Miami sod with a gnarly ankle injury. On top of all the misery the third quarter offered the Titans on Sunday, the game officially took seven hours, eight minutes to play, making it the longest game in NFL history thanks to nearly four hours' worth of lightning delays. I think it’s safe to say that Week One was not exactly the start of the Mike Vrabel era that most Titans fans were expecting. Houston at Tennessee Kickoff: Sunday Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. ET TV: CBS Spread: Texans - 2.5 Three Things to Watch 1. Texans' O-line woes continue Last season the Texans had one of the worst, if not the worst offensive line in the NFL, ranking 31st in sacks allowed (54) and allowing their quarterbacks to be hit an unhealthy 117 times. The Texans zeroed in on their blocking woes this offseason by signing three free agent starters in Seantrel Henderson, Senio Kelemete, and Zach Fulton. But the Texans old problems have been made new again after Henderson, the starting right tackle, was lost for the season after suffering a severe ankle injury against the Pats. Starting left tackle Julie'n Davenport moved into Henderson’s spot while rookie Martinas Dankin took over on the left side, promptly giving up a sack on his second snap of the game, one of three allowed (along with 12 QB hits) by the Texan’s O-line last week. So the offensive line that was so badly beaten last year, and allegedly fixed in the offseason, has already faltered and been shuffled before the horn on Week 1 sounded — not great if you’re Deshaun Watson trying to regain your rhythm. 2. A tale of two quarterbacks, part I Week One didn’t get off the greatest start for the Titans’ franchise quarterback. Mariota lost his best receiving option in Delanie Walker and his Boss Hogg-impersonating, blind side pass protector in Taylor Lewan. Walker is gone for the season, thrusting the responsibility of getting open to an unproven and unreliable group of wide receivers that only caught seven passes last week — six of which were by wide receiver Corey Davis. Vrabel has yet to commit to Lewan’s playing status as of yet, but the fifth year lineman has not participated in any sort of practice and was actually sent home early by the training staff earlier this week. On top of all that, Mariota is dealing with health issues of his own after taking a low hit from the Dolphins’ William Hayes after a handoff, a hit that the NFL now says was flag worthy. Mariota complained he had no sensation in his hand and couldn’t grip the ball, which likely lead to interceptions on consecutive third quarter drives. After resting earlier in the week, Mariota was back at practice on Wednesday and said he felt fine after throwing, but how fine he feels come Sunday with a hungry Texans front seven chasing after him remains to be seen. 3. A tale of two quarterbacks, part deux Without trying to sound too hot-takey (it’s a word, look it up), Deshaun Watson looked like a fraction of his 2017 self last week against a marginal Patriots defense. Here’s where the hot-takitude (another real word) ends: Deshaun Watson should be just fine. Watson took the blame for the Houston offense’s inability to function properly last week, and he should, at least a portion of it. He never looked comfortable in the few clean pockets that he did have, leading to poor decision making, including forcing a throw into the end zone that was intercepted on what he thought was a free play. Last season Watson thrived on third downs and in the red zone, completing over 86 percent of his passes, but against New England he was just 3-of-8 in those situations. Like Mariota, Watson is dealing with his own health problems and is listed as questionable with concussion like symptoms, but is expected to play on Sunday. Watson is looking to get his 2017 groove back this weekend against a Titans’ secondary that is as deep as any on paper; but as proven against Miami, it's still susceptible to giving up the big play — a Watson specialty. Final Analysis A lot can and does happen throughout the course of an NFL season, so it might be hyperbole to pontificate about a Week 2 divisional matchup being a must-win game for any team. Coaches and players would say it’s the NFL and every game is a must win. I guarantee that’s what they’re saying in the Titans’ and Texans’ meeting rooms this week — Sunday’s game is a must-win. With two ailing offensive lines, and two banged up quarterbacks, this game will likely come down to whose defense can make the most plays. It’s time for Houston’s D to come back to life. Give me the Texans by a hair. Prediction: Texans 20, Titans 18 — Written by Jake Rose, who is a part of the Athlon Sports Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @JakeRose24.<doc-sep>
The Texans Wire staff gives their predictions for the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans. See who picked Houston and who picked Tennessee, and be sure to give The Texans Wire a follow on Twitter. Chris Nalls — The Texans should bounce back big this when facing the Tennessee Titans. Watson will have wide receiver Will Fuller again and also some added motivation from last weeks loss to the New England Patriots. The Texans defense should have a huge day as well since both starting tackles for the Titans will be missing Sunday’s game. Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota is another name to monitor during Sunday morning warm-ups as he has been dealing with an elbow injury. With all this taken into account, I predict 31-17 Texans 27-10 Texans Harry Latham-Coyle — Were Tennessee not missing their starting tackles and Marcus Mariota fully healthy, I think this game would be a real battle that the Texans ultimately drop. But under those circumstances? The Texans take it. Houston showed they can move the ball on the ground last week even with Deshaun Watson having a presumed off-day, and the Texans’ front-seven has the ability to take over this game and make Mariota miserable. An early defensive score helps the Texans jump-out to a lead and they notch a confidence-booster on the road. Mark Lane — The onus is on the Titans offense to move the ball and score points without their starting tackles, Conklin and Lewan, to protect Mariota. That also means the onus is on the pass rush to get home and force the field general with a hurt throwing elbow to evade the pressure and keep his eyes downfield. All Deshaun Watson has to do is avoid giveaways and help the offense be more efficient on third down. 27-16 Texans Anthony Wood — The Texans simply have to win. We may only be one game into the season, but with Jacksonville looking as strong as ever, Houston has to catch up if they are to stand a chance of winning the AFC South. Key this Sunday? The defense. With both Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan out of the usually formidable Titans offensive line, the Texans have a real chance here to get to quarterback Marcus Mariota and force him to pass. The Texans secondary should be able to keep a Delanie Walker-less Titans receiving corps quiet, so it’s down to J.J. Watt and company to do the rest. 27-17 Texans Cole Thompson — The Titans are going to have fight back against the Texans pass rush. Without Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan, this could be a long day for Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbertt. The Texans offense will need to rely on Lamar Miller to score on the ground with the Titans secondary expected to cover deep. In the end, expect J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus to lead the charge and give the Texans their first win. 34-17 Texans