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Sport
Mark Lane

Texans Wire Countdown to Titans: 10 factors for Week 8

WHEN: 3:05 p.m. CT

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RED — Pittsburgh at Philadelphia

BLUE — New England at NY Jets

GREEN — Las Vegas at New Orleans

ORANGE — Miami at Detroit

YELLOW — Tennessee at Houston

Source: 506 Sports

10. Titans' takeaways

George Walker IV-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans may be without Ryan Tannehill under center, but their defense has been one of the big reasons for their success this season. The Titans are tied for the ninth-most takeaways in the NFL this year with 10. Houston has to protect the football.

9. Titans' rank for blitzes

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee has dialed up 50 blitzes, good for the ninth-fewest in the league. In other words, the Titans aren’t going to bring exotic looks to try to get to the quarterback. If Houston can handle their blocks up front, they should give Davis Mills enough time to throw.

8. Titans' rank for missed tackles

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans are tied with the Chicago Bears for the eighth-most missed tackles in the league with 50. If Tennessee continues to have tackling issues, it should provide rookie running back Dameon Pierce plenty of chances to turn his dirty yards into chunk plays.

7. Malik Willis' jersey number

George Walker IV-USA TODAY NETWORK

The Titans are depending upon their third-rounder from Liberty to improve upon Tennessee’s first place standing in the AFC South. The Texans have to find ways to make Willis look like a rookie. Houston had trouble in the end in Week 3 against another mobile quarterback in Justin Fields.

6. Dameon Pierce's rank for rushing yards

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Pierce has generated 504 rushing yards, good for the sixth-most in the NFL. It is safe to say that Pierce is the most consistent weapon on the Texans’ offense. If the former Florida product is able to have a big day, it should bode well for Houston’s offense.

5. Derrick Henry's rushing touchdowns

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Henry has scored five rushing touchdowns, tied for the fifth-most in the NFL. The All-Pro back will have to stay at a high level to help out his rookie quarterback.

4. Davis Mills' rank for passing rating

Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Mills has the fourth-lowest passer rating among quarterbacks who have started every game at 83.6. The second-year signal caller has to find ways to drive the ball down the field and not stay content with the underneath stuff.

3. Titans' rank for red zone trips

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Strangely the Titans haven’t had very many red zone trips with just 15 on the season, the third-lowest in the NFL. With a rookie quarterback, it could be possible the Texans find themselves in a low-scoring slugfest with Tennessee. Maybe, as was the case in Week 2 at the Denver Broncos, first team to score a touchdown wins.

2. Jalen Pitre's interceptions

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Pitre got his first two interceptions going against Justin Fields. With an even more inexperienced signal caller in Malik Willis starting against Houston, perhaps the second-rounder from Baylor can find a way to add to his pick total.

1. Titans' rank for third down conversions

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

No defense in the NFL is better on third downs than the Titans. Tennessee only gives up 27.8% of their third downs. In order to have a chance on third down, Houston will have to improve their execution on first and second downs.

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