Six things to watch for Titans in Sunday's game against Texans

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Titans will face the Houston Texans Sunday at Nissan Stadium.

Here's a look at six things to watch in Sunday's match:

Run the ball

The Texans are ferocious in the front, with a race to the pass designed to wreak havoc in the backfield. The best way to slow it down, while removing the pressure on the quarterback? Run the ball and keep the guys like J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus are no longer there and come after the QB. On Friday, Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he was expecting two quarters Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert to play on Sunday. Offensive Derrick Henry said he was "pissed off" by his performance in the first game of the season, and he promised to be better. The Titans will need the tandem of Henry and Dion Lewis to set the tone and move the football.

S & D after Delanie

A guy will not replace Titan's finisher Delanie Walker, who is now in the injured reserve. It will take a group effort. Jonnu Smith is on the point of getting additional representatives, but other members of the group will also have to intervene. In reality, the burden will not only fall on the ends. A young receiver corps led by Corey Davis, Tajae Sharpe and Taywan Taylor will also have to prove themselves, the veteran of the end-of-competition team now being a spectator. And I would wait to see Rishard Matthews more involved.

Pressure, and contains Watson

Well, I hate to even remind everyone what happened the last time the Titans faced quarterback Deshaun Watson. It did not go well – Watson threw four touchdowns and ran for another win in a 57-14 win. On Sunday, the Titans must put Watson at ease while generating more passes than we saw in Miami. And when Watson escapes from the pocket, the Titans must make sure he does not hurt them with prolonged games. It's easier said than done, of course, but it's a big key.

Evans and Landry

The Titans should get a boost in defense in their first two picks – linebackers Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry. Both players practiced in full this week, which was a great sign. And on Friday, Vrabel said he was expecting the two recruits to play. The presence of these two teams adds more speed and play to a defense that will try to slow down Watson and a Houston game that has earned 150 yards per run last week.

Pass protection

I mentioned that the Houston pass was coming out of the door. The Titans did a great job slowing down the Miami pass race in the first week, and the challenge is even bigger this week against Watt and Co. How is that for a scary statistics line? ? Watt has 14.5 sacks in the last nine games against Tennessee & Co. Things are even more difficult for the Titans because they have a strong offensive line. Left-left forward Taylor Lewan was out of the game with Jack Conklin. Dennis Kelly has not practiced two days this week and his status is uncertain. Some guys will have to intervene.

The beginnings at Vrabel's house

Vrabel will make his home coach debut Sunday against the Texans, his former team. His former boss, Texans head coach Bill O'Brien. There is no doubt that Vrabel has unique knowledge of the Texans as the team's defensive coordinator, and that certainly helps to some extent. But his OC (Matt LaFleur) and DC (Dean Pees) will have to find ways to contain Houston's weapons on both sides of the ball, while taking full advantage of their own players.