The Texans look to continue their winning ways against the visiting Titans

The Houston Texans hope their midseason malaise is behind them and get a chance to prove it when they host the lowly Tennessee Titans in an AFC South matchup on Sunday.

The Texans (7-4) hold a two-game division lead over the Indianapolis Colts despite recently losing three of four games, including blowing a 16-point halftime lead in a loss to the Detroit Lions.

But Houston roared to a dominant 34-10 road victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night, perhaps a signal the team is ready to play. In fact, the Texans visit the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 before having a bye week.

Just don’t mention the word “playoffs” anywhere near Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.

“I just want our guys to stay focused, stay locked into their assignments every week,” Ryans told reporters. “When we do that, we’re a really good football team. We can play with anybody. It’s just about getting things done.”

Quarterback CJ Stroud passed for 257 yards and had one interception against Dallas. Big-play receiver Nico Collins returned from a five-game absence with a hamstring injury to catch four passes for 54 yards.

But the big reason for the trampling of the Cowboys running back Joe Mixon, who rushed for three touchdowns and had 153 yards from scrimmage. 109 on the ground marks his fifth 100-yard outing in the past six games.

“When he was on, Joe was a force,” Ryans said. “I liked the way we just kept churning in the run game. And I’m proud of the guys for stepping up to the challenge.”

Houston expects to have star Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) back after missing two games. Anderson, who was limited in Wednesday’s practice, shared a team-leading 7.5 sacks with fellow defensive end Danielle Hunter.

The Titans (2-8) lack an identity after the offseason departure of franchise icon Derrick Henry, the star running back.

Tennessee has lost six games by double digits as it began back-to-back road games against the Texans and Washington Commanders.

Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons put on a brave face. He enjoyed the effort in last Sunday’s 23-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

“The fight that this team showed, especially in the second half, is why you want to play this game,” Simmons said. “It doesn’t matter what the record is, that’s why I come to work, and I’m ready to fight guys.”

Quarterback Will Levis passed for a season-best 295 yards against the Vikings. One third of them came on one play when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine caught a pass at his own 40-yard line and raced down the right sideline for a 98-yard scoring play.

Levis completed just 17 of 31 passes and was intercepted once. He doesn’t like that Tennessee ranks 28th in the NFL in scoring offense (17 points per game) and 25th in total offense (295.4 yards per game).

“You have to keep working, knowing that the way you approach your job and the way you approach every day are habits that make football winning,” Levis said Wednesday. “And we just have to know that if we keep doing those things, then the wins will come.”

Titans standout cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (quadriceps) will not play Sunday, according to coach Brian Callahan.

He and receiver Calvin Ridley (illness) were among nine Titans who missed Wednesday’s practice due to injury or illness. Among others to sit out are defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (biceps) and running back Tyjae Spears (concussion).

Linebacker Jack Gibbens (ankle) underwent season-ending surgery earlier this week and will be placed on injured reserve. He was injured and subsequently carted off the field in the loss at Minnesota.

Houston defensive end Denico Autry (knee/hamstring) sat out Wednesday’s session. Defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi (foot) and offensive tackle Blake Fisher (concussion) also missed practice.

The Texans have won the past three meetings. The teams will meet again in the final week of the regular season in Nashville.

–Field Level Media