Post-Game Analysis of the Tennessee Titans' Loss to Texans

The Tennessee Titans’ 27-17 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 11 wasn’t just a divisional defeat—it was a game that laid bare the tactical, personnel, and mental flaws that have derailed their 2024 season. While the scoreboard suggests a competitive contest, a deeper dive into the game film, statistics, and post-game comments reveals a Titans team outcoached, outexecuted, and unable to fix longstanding issues when it mattered most. From questionable playcalling on offense to defensive lapses that let the Texans control the tempo, every aspect of the Titans’ performance highlighted why they sit near the bottom of the AFC South. Post-Game Analysis of the Tennessee Titans' Loss to Texans breaks down the key factors that led to the defeat, offering insights into what the team must address to avoid further disappointment.

A critical factor in the Titans’ loss was their offensive playcalling, which lacked creativity and failed to exploit the Texans’ defensive weaknesses—especially in the red zone, where scoring chances turned into missed opportunities. Film review shows the Titans relied heavily on predictable running plays with Derrick Henry (22 carries for 89 yards) even when the Texans stacked eight defenders in the box to stop him. On third downs, the offense repeatedly turned to short, safe passes that rarely converted: quarterback Ryan Tannehill completed just 2 of 10 third-down attempts, with most throws going to running backs or tight ends within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. The red zone was even more problematic: on two trips inside the Texans’ 20-yard line, the Titans called three running plays that gained a total of 3 yards, forcing them to settle for field goals. Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke later admitted his team “knew exactly what was coming” on most Titans drives. Post-Game Analysis of the Tennessee Titans' Loss to Texans emphasizes that this lack of tactical flexibility isn’t just a one-game issue—it’s a season-long trend that has left the Titans’ offense ranked 26th in the NFL in points per game.

Another key takeaway from the post-game analysis is the Titans’ defensive failure to adjust to the Texans’ run-heavy game plan, which let Devin Singletary dominate time of possession and wear down the defense. The Texans ran the ball 35 times for 182 yards—well above their season average of 128 yards per game—because the Titans stuck to a base 4-3 defense that couldn’t handle Houston’s zone-blocking scheme. Film shows the Titans’ defensive linemen were often caught out of position, with Texans guards pulling to create holes for Singletary. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, filling in for the injured David Long Jr., missed three tackles and took poor angles on Singletary’s 25-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Even more concerning: the Titans made no meaningful halftime adjustments—Houston rushed for 98 yards in the second half, compared to 84 in the first—allowing the Texans to control the clock for 35:21, nearly 10 minutes more than the Titans. Post-Game Analysis of the Tennessee Titans' Loss to Texans notes that this inability to adjust is a hallmark of a defense lacking leadership and tactical awareness, two issues that have plagued the unit all season.

For the Tennessee Titans, post-game film also highlights the critical role of turnovers in swinging momentum—and how poor decision-making from key players cost them dearly. Ryan Tannehill’s first-quarter interception was a avoidable mistake: film shows he locked onto wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was double-covered by Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Jalen Pitre, instead of checking down to an open running back. The interception set the Texans up at their own 25-yard line, leading to a field goal that gave Houston a 10-3 lead. Later, Derrick Henry’s fourth-quarter fumble—his third of the season—came when he failed to secure the ball after a hit from Texans defensive tackle Maliek Collins. The fumble was recovered at the Titans’ 30-yard line, and three plays later, Singletary scored to put the game out of reach. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged after the game that “turnovers kill momentum, and we gave them two big ones.” For the Tennessee Titans, these mistakes aren’t just about luck—they’re about mental discipline, a trait the team has struggled with all season. Post-Game Analysis of the Tennessee Titans' Loss to Texans explores how these turnovers turned a game the Titans could have won into a lopsided defeat, underscoring the need for more careful decision-making from their veteran players.

The Tennessee Titans’ special teams performance, while overshadowed by offensive and defensive struggles, also played a role in the loss, as missed opportunities and costly penalties gave the Texans favorable field position throughout the game. The Titans’ kickoff return unit averaged just 18 yards per return, forcing their offense to start drives deep in their own territory (their average starting field position was their own 22-yard line). Punter Ryan Stonehouse had a particularly rough day, with one punt traveling just 28 yards and another that went out of bounds at the Texans’ 45-yard line—giving Houston short fields to work with. Special teams penalties also hurt: a holding call on kickoff coverage in the second quarter gave the Texans a first down at the Titans’ 40-yard line, leading to a field goal. Post-game comments from special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman suggested the unit “didn’t execute the basics,” a problem that has plagued the Titans all season (they rank 29th in the NFL in special teams DVOA). For the Tennessee Titans, special teams might seem like a minor issue, but in a game decided by 10 points, better field position and fewer penalties could have changed the outcome. Post-Game Analysis of the Tennessee Titans' Loss to Texans emphasizes that special teams can’t be an afterthought—especially for a team that struggles to score points on offense.

Finally, the post-game analysis reveals the Titans’ mental fragility, as they collapsed under pressure in the second half and failed to mount a sustained comeback—an issue that has defined their season. After trailing 17-10 at halftime, the Titans had a chance to tie the game early in the third quarter, but a 4th-and-1 run by Henry was stopped at the Texans’ 35-yard line. Film shows the Titans’ offense looked disjointed on the drive, with Tannehill and Henry failing to communicate on a handoff that gained just 1 yard. From that point on, the Texans took control: they scored 10 unanswered points, and the Titans’ offense didn’t record another first down until the fourth quarter. Post-game interviews with players revealed a sense of frustration: Hopkins admitted the team “stopped believing” after the failed fourth-down attempt, while Byard said “we didn’t have the energy to come back.” For the Tennessee Titans, this mental fragility is perhaps their biggest issue—it’s one thing to have tactical flaws, but it’s another to let those flaws break your confidence. Post-Game Analysis of the Tennessee Titans' Loss to Texans concludes that until the Titans fix their mental approach—learning to stay focused and fight back when things go wrong—they’ll continue to lose games they should win. This loss wasn’t just about X’s and O’s; it was about heart—and the Titans came up short.