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NASHVILLE, Tenn. –** The Titans face the Texans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
The Titans are coming off a 20-16 win over the Colts, a win that improved the team's record to 7-4.
The Texans are 4-7, and coming off a 23-16 loss to the Ravens.
This week, I caught up with John McClain, who covers the Texans for the Houston Chronicle. You can follow John on Twitter @McClainonNFL, and join over 135,000 others.
Here's how our conversation went…
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Wyatt:** Hey John. I appreciate you taking the time. Right out of the gate, what's the mindset of the Texans, now 4-7 with five games to go?
McClain: *Well, in Deshaun Watson's six starts they were 3-3, and averaged 34 points per game. In his last five starts, they averaged 39 points per game. In his three losses, they lost by 4.2 points per game, and that included three points losses in New England and at Seattle. So he goes down, and everyone is thinking: It's time for Tom Savage to be better. It's the last year of his contract, and he has a chance to make a lot of money. And in his four starts, they are 1-3 and the offense has scored just one touchdown in three of those games, including Monday night. He is throwing too many interceptions, he has given up too many strip sacks, and their offensive line is terrible. Their running game has suffered, and they've had injuries. Now they've had bright spots. DeAndre Hopkins has been playing great – he has abused Patrick Peterson and Jimmy Smith the last two games. He has been tremendous, and he is doing it with Tom Savage. And Jadeveon Clowney has been great on defense. Hopkins and Clowney have been their two best players. *
Wyatt: I saw where linebacker Brian Cushing returned to team after his suspension. What's his status for Sunday?
McClain: *They have a one-week exemption for him, so we'll see. I know he is in great shape physically, but that is not football shape. They got back this week a rookie linebacker in Dylan Cole, and he was playing a lot until he got hurt. And then he came back against Baltimore, but he didn't play much, because they wanted to take their time getting him back in. They need all the help they can get. But Cushing has never played when he wasn't the starter. If he is in really good shape on the field, I think he'll come back and be the starter and Cole and Zach Cunningham will come off the bench. Until they watch him run around, it's just hard to know. *
Wyatt: Cunningham, of course, went to Vanderbilt. After 11 games he is fourth on the team with 43 tackles. How has he been in his rookie season?
McClain: He has been OK. They like him. Early in the season he made some plays, but you don't see him as much. I don't know if he is hitting the proverbial rookie wall or what, but you don't see him making a lot of plays. He plays, but you don't see him knocking down passes or tackling guys in the open field like some of the others. But the coaches love the guy.
Wyatt: I want to swing back to Savage for a minute. How has he been overall since replacing Watson, and can he put it together down the stretch?
McClain: *He makes bad decisions. He had two interceptions against Arizona, and both were thrown into coverage – just bad decisions. Coach (Bill) O'Brien said that – you can't make bad decisions. He makes some good ones, but he makes some bad ones. People like him, and they respect hm. He is tough. He got knocked down eight times against Baltimore. He is not mobile, and he is not going to run for yards. Every once in a while he'll roll out to the right and throw it away. I would say overall he has been a disappointment, and it's because of the turnovers. *
Wyatt: Last question here. The Texans play the Titans on Sunday, and in two weeks they face the Jaguars. Can they be a spoiler in the AFC South?
McClain: Unless Savage protects the ball, which he has been unable to do, I don't see it. They may beat San Francisco (in Houston on December 10), but I don't see them playing the role of a spoiler against the Titans or Jaguars. They play both of them on the road, and they play Indy on the road. The only one they have beaten is the Titans, and that was with Watson. So this team is a whole lot different with Savage instead of Watson. It has impacted the running game, and the passing game. So I don't see them causing either one of those teams a problem.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series against the Houston Texans. (AP Photos, Donn Jones)
Tennessee Titans tackle Jack Conklin (78) pass blocks in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
A general fisheye view of Nissan Stadium from midfield home of the Tennessee Titans before a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Delanie Walker, tight end de los Titans de Tennessee, anota pese al intento de derrribo por parte de Kevin Johnson, de los Texans de Houston, en la segunda mitad del encuentro realizado el domingo 3 de diciembre de 2017 (AP Foto/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans never have played at University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, but Mariota has, though. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans cornerback LeShaun Sims (36) make a game sealing interception while covering Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in action Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Houston Texans in action against the Tennessee Titans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) runs for yardage after a catch in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) leaves Houston Texans outside linebacker Gimel President (53) behind as he runs 75-yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Henry says he didn't want to be caught from behind. Well, nobody caught the Tennessee running back as the Heisman Trophy broke loose for a 75-yard run and was clocked at 21.64 mph, tied for the fifth-fastest ball carrier this season. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
The Tennessee Titans line of scrimmage against the Houston Texans during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) carries the ball as he scrambles during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans' kick returner Adoree' Jackson (25) breaks a tackle by Houston Texans' Brian Peters (52) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) tries to get past Houston Texans defensive back Johnathan Joseph (24) in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. Quarterback Marcus Mariota has been carrying the Tennessee run game during two of the Titans' last three victories in this winning streak. They hope to get Henry and Dion Lewis going against Buffalo after facing some very stingy defenses to start the season. (AP Photo/James Kenney, File)
Houston Texans center Nick Martin (66) prepares to snap the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) prepares to snap the ball against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson plays against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Also defending for the Titans is defensive back Kevin Byard (31). (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (92) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis is chased by Houston Texans defensive end Angelo Blackson (97) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, on the ground, in the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) scores a touchdown ahead of Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) runs a route against Houston Texans defensive back Johnathan Joseph (24) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a 42-yard field goal against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Holding is Brett Kern (6) and defending for the Texans is Johnson Bademosi (23). (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hugs center Ben Jones (60) before an NFL football game between the Titans and the Houston Texans Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) passes against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank (29) gets past Houston Texans defensive back Natrell Jamerson (31) as Cruikshank scores a touchdown after catching a pass on a fake punt play in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans celebrate with Tennessee Titans' Dane Cruikshank (29) after he scored a touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank runs for a touchdown after catching a pass on a fake punt play against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert passes against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Dane Cruikshank catches a pass on a fake punt play as he runs 66 yards for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Fans and teammates celebrate with Tennessee Titans' Dane Cruikshank (29) after he scored a touchdown on a fake punt against the Houston Texans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
