HOUSTON – Malik Willis made his first career start for the Titans here on Sunday.
But this was a day made for a King.
Titans running back Derrick Henry ran for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries in the team's 17-10 win over the Texans in a record-setting performance.
"Am I tired?," Henry said after the game. "I'm winded, but I'm all right."
Henry was more than just all right on the field.
With the two touchdown runs, Henry set the franchise record for career touchdowns (75), breaking the mark previously held by former Titans running back Eddie George.
Henry racked up 124 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in the first half, and he kept pounding in the second half as the Titans established their dominance.
Henry has now gone over the 200-yard mark, with two TDs, four times vs the Texans.
Henry gave the Titans an early 7-3 lead on a 29-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and his one-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal in the third quarter gave the Titans a 14-3 lead.
"Credit to those guys up front, and all the guys blocking – o-line, receivers, tight ends, fullback," Henry said. "Just making the sacrifice to go out there and block and allow us to have success. I give all the credit to them, and I just have to go out there and do my job … and we were able to win as a team."
Willis, playing in place of starter Ryan Tannehill, completed 6-of-10 passes for 55 yards with an interception on Sunday, and he threw just one pass in the second half.
"It was good – we got a W," Willis said. "That's all you want to go out there and do. Yeah, there's things you want back, but it was my first start, so I can't be too critical of myself. … But I'm definitely appreciative, and Derrick, congrats to him. He got a new record, so that's cool. It's just cool to see our team fight back from setbacks."
The Titans were also suffocating on defense in this one, as the Texans managed just 161 yards and 10 first downs.
Bud Dupree, Jeffery Simmons and DeMarcus Walker all recorded sacks in the contest, and cornerback Kristian Fulton came up with an interception.
"Our mindset is we just wanted to come out and be a physical defense," Fulton said. "We wanted to make them earn everything."
With the win, the Titans improved to 5-2. It was the team's fifth straight win after starting the season 0-2. The Titans have now beaten the Texans in five of their last six meetings.
"Just trying to separate ourselves right now with the opportunities that we have, playing division opponents," Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said. "It's not going to get easier, but I am proud of the fact we have been able (to win). I told the guys: We won one game in a row five times. It's going to be a bigger challenge next week."
It was a struggle early.
The Titans had a chance to get some points early, but a 47-yard field goal by kicker Randy Bullock sailed wide right on the team's first possession.
Fulton stepped in front of Texans receiver Brevin Jordan and intercepted a pass thrown by quarterback Davis Mills on Houston's first possession, giving Tennessee the ball at their own 31-yard line midway through the first quarter.
But after a three-and-out from their defense, the Titans made another blunder, this time fumble by Robert Woods on a punt return. The turnover gave the Texans the ball at the Tennessee 41, but the defense got another stop to keep the game scoreless after one quarter.
Willis made a big mistake early in the second quarter when his pass intended for receiver Cody Hollister was late and errant, and picked off by Texans defensive back Steven Nelson, who returned it to the Tennessee 11-yard line.
But the Titans got another big stop on defense, including a sack by Dupree, and the Texans managed just a 33-yard field goal by Ka'imi Fairbairn to take a 3-0 lead with 10:40 left in the quarter.
Then came Henry's 29-yard touchdown run, which came after a defensive stop and a nice punt return by Woods.
The Titans led 7-3 at the half, when they outgained the Texans 183 to 35 in total yards.
The Titans dominated the second half.
The one-yard touchdown run by Henry capped a nine-play, 65-yard drive that included plenty of runs by Henry, and some nice production from running back Dontrell Hilliard as well.
The Titans, who didn't throw a pass in the third quarter, stretched the lead to 17-3 on a 29-yard field goal by Bullock with 11:08 left in the contest. The kick capped a 12-play, 81-yard drive that saw Henry go over the 200-yard mark once again.
The Texans scored on a pass from Mills to running back Dameon Pierce with 17 seconds left to make it 17-10.
The Titans return to action next Sunday at the Kansas City Chiefs.
"We just have to keep it going," safety Kevin Byard said. "Celebrate this one, flush it, because we have a huge challenge next week."
The Tennessee Titans take on the Houston Texans in Week 8 at NRG Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Cameron Faulkner/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans play at NRG Stadium on October 30, 2022 in Houston, TX Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
