HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans rushes with the ball as Karl Klug #97 of the Tennessee Titans pursues in the second quarter at NRG Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
The Tennessee Titans (5-5) stood by as their grip over the previously dismal AFC South slipped through their fingers, and now stand in third place ahead of Monday night’s crucial matchup against the division-leading Houston Texans (7-3).
The final game of the season between the two teams may rest on the shoulders of Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has been remarkable when healthy. Though he exited last week’s game against the Colts early with a stinger, the team’s success has largely hinged off of his competence, regardless of the opponent. Mariota’s excellence against the Cowboys on a previous Monday night game bodes well for the Titans in another primetime matchup.
The Texans are boasting a seven-game win streak, and look to be in a three-way battle for the AFC South division with the Colts and Titans, and can decidedly thrust ahead with a two-game lead with a win. Titans coach Mike Vrabel has been daring and bold in his time at the helm, touting a swarming defense that has given trouble to the likes of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in the earlier matchup this season. They’ll have to contain him again to avoid playing catchup in a thundering NRG Stadium.
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Conversely, the Texans may have no problem terrorizing Mariota and thwarting any chance of an upset. Mariota has been sacked 29 times in nine games this season — tied for ninth most in the league — despite missing a game and parts of three others. The rabid pass rush tandem of Jadeveon Clowney and JJ Watt, who have combined for 16.5 sacks this season, should have no problem raising Mariota higher on that list.
The game is set to kickoff at 8:15 p.m. EST on ESPN.
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