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| Running back Chris Johnson is expecting to get more carries than he did against the Texans in the Nov. 28 matchup at Houston. |
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Houston's Arian Foster rushed 30 times for 143 yards, and the Texans' defense held Johnson to a career-low of 5 yards on seven carries. Houston held Tennessee to 24 rushing yards and became the only opponent to shut out the Titans this season on Nov. 28.
Johnson and the Titans (5-8) want redemption Sunday when they host the Texans (5-8). Tennessee will try to snap a six-game losing streak and keep its slim playoff hopes alive. The Titans must win their final three games, Jacksonville must lose its final three games, and Indianapolis must beat Jacksonville Sunday then lose its final two games for Tennessee to make the playoffs.
"I feel like we're going to stay on the field more this game than at their place," Johnson said earlier this week. "I had seven carries, so there's really nothing I can do with that."
Foster leads the NFL with 1,330 yards this season, and Johnson ranks sixth with 1,137 rushing yards. The first meeting was a departure for Johnson from both games against the Texans last season. In 2009 he ran for 197 yards in a loss and 151 yards in a win en route to rushing for a league-best 2,006 yards.
Houston kept the ball nearly twice as long as Tennessee did in the first meeting this season, and stuffed the run as rookie Rusty Smith made his first start at quarterback for injured QBs Vince Young and Kerry Collins. The Titans will benefit from Collins' 16 years of experience Sunday, but want to establish the run early.
"In order for us to be a good team and get wins we've got get things running early," Johnson said. "I'm always motivated when there's a good running back on the other side."
Titans try to solve difficulties at home
Tennessee will finish its 2010 home schedule Sunday, and try to avoid tying its worst home record (2-6 in 2004) since LP Field opened in 1999. This is the Titans' fourth losing season at LP Field, and they've never made the playoffs when finishing .500 or below at home.
Titans coach Jeff Fisher said the difficulty at home is a function of other things that have kept the Titans from winning more games this season.
"We're frustrated we haven't been able to win games for our fans here, but it's not a home-away thing," Fisher said. "It's just a result of the issues that we've had."
Opponents have scored first in six of the Titans' seven home games this season. In the past two games, Jacksonville led 17-0 at halftime, and Indianapolis scored the first 21 points in a 30-28 win.
Linebacker Gerald McRath said the Titans will try to have a better start against the Texans.
"You get your crowd in it, you get momentum," McRath said. "Momentum is very big. You have the ball bouncing in your direction on both sides of the ball and on special teams. Good things start to happen.
"If you get that momentum on our side early in the game, everything else will take care of itself," McRath continued. "It's one thing that you never know. Play our hearts out for the fans that come out and support us."
Linebacker Will Witherspoon said a good start is important, but so is keeping the crowd involved and playing with consistency from start to finish.
"That's a big part of where your home-field advantage lies if you can disrupt communication of the other team," Witherspoon said. "It doesn't come down to who scores first. I think it's making sure the livelihood of the environment stays throughout all four quarters."
Stevens hauls in second TD grab
Tight end Craig Stevens recorded his second career touchdown last week against the Colts. The third-year pro grew up in Southern California and caught his first TD against San Diego earlier this season in front of family and friends. His second helped Tennessee's surge in the second half against Indianapolis.
Stevens missed Tennessee's game against Washington with a knee injury, and the Titans' offense missed its primary run-blocking tight end and threat in the passing game. He said he was glad to return to game action.
"I don't like having to see other people do my job, so I'm just happy to be out there," Stevens said.
