NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans travel to Houston on Sunday to face the Texans.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
**
Kendall's impact
The Titans have been without receiver Kendall Wright since the start of training camp, and they've missed him. Wright's quickness makes him tough to defend, and his return should help the offense. Through three games, running back DeMarco Murray leads the team in receptions (17), while receiver Tajae Sharpe is the team leader in yards (157). Wright should provide a boost with play-making ability. The Titans are hopeful tight end Delanie Walker will be back as well, but we'll have to wait until Sunday to be sure.
Texans without Watt
Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt has made life miserable for the Titans – and every NFL club for that matter. He won't be in action on Sunday after he was placed on Injured Reserve. Texans coach Bill O'Brien said on Friday that Watt's out for the season. But the Texans are plenty good even without him. The Titans need to find a way to slow down talented linebackers Whitney Mercilus (2 sacks), Jadeveon Clowney (1.0), Benardrick McKinney (2) and John Simon (2.5). Mercilus had 3.5 sacks in a game against the Titans last year.
Mariota vs Texans D
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will face the Texans for the first time in his career. He missed both games vs Houston last year with injuries, and Zach Mettenberger stepped in. Mariota has proven to be a gamer on the road. Can he keep it going? In seven career road games, Mariota has thrown for 1,612 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two interceptions, with a 104.9 rating. A week after turning the ball over three times against the Raiders, cutting down on the mistakes is on his mind.
Defending Hopkins
Another week, another big-time receiver the Titans have to find a way to slow down. A week after facing Oakland's Amari Cooper, the Titans will see Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Hopkins is a beast. He can fly, but he's also top-notch in winning one-on-one battle when the ball is anywhere in range. Hopkins has 24 catches for 449 yards (149.7 per game) and four touchdowns in the past three meetings vs the Titans. He had a career-high 238 yards (9 catches, 2 TD) in a 2014 game against the Titans. The Titans can't let this happen again.
Johnson's return
Titans receiver Andre Johnson doesn't like to admit it, but Sunday's game will be special. Johnson played 12 seasons in Houston, and was named to seven Pro Bowls with the Texans. He's the franchise's leader in catches (1,012) and yards (13,597) and TDs (64). In his return to Houston a year ago, when he was with the Colts, Johnson had a season-high six catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Will he make himself feel at home again with the Titans? It's also a return trip for Titans center Ben Jones, who spent his first four seasons with the Texans.
Running game**
Against the Raiders, Murray became Tennessee's first 100-yard rusher in a game since the 2013 season. The Titans would like to establish the run – and slow down Houston's pass rush – by getting Murray and fellow running back Derrick Henry cranked up on Sunday. The Texans are ranked fifth in the NFL in total defense, but they're just 26th in rushing defense through three games, allowing 125.7 yards per game. There could be an opportunity.
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)