Coach DeMeco Ryans Left 'Proud' of Short-Handed Houston Texans vs. Tennessee Titans: Notebook

Despite being short-handed on both sides of the ball, the Houston Texans were relentless in their 19-16 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans.

With no Will Anderson Jr., Nico Collins, or C.J. Stroud, the injury-riddled Houston Texans improved their record to 8-6 following a 19-16 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans. Veteran Case Keenum recorded his first win as the Texans' starting quarterback since 2014, but Houston's victory fell upon the play of its defense.

"This was a huge win for us," coach DeMeco Ryans said. "To show up how they showed up today, it took four quarters and the entire overtime period for us to come through with this win.

"I am proud of all of our guys. But the defense played really great today. They got after the quarterback, kept down the explosive plays, and held them in the run game. I thought the defense played really good football all day." 

Outside of giving up 83 yards and a touchdown on the Titans' first offensive drive, Houston held Tennessee to 121 yards, which included five consecutive punts. Houston's most suitable play on the defensive side came due to their ability to stop the Titans' rushing attack. 

Headline by Derek Henry, who finished with nine yards on 16 carries, Houston held the Titans to 66 yards on 30 attempts. Henry came into the Week 15 averaging 203.6 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns over the previous five games against the Texans.

But as great as Houston's run defense was against Henry, the Texans' defensive line unit had a massive performance getting after rookie quarterback Will Levis with seven sacks.

The Texans' secondary also had a massive game, where they held All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to 21 yards on two catches.

The Texans' win over the Titans may have marked the team's best defensive performance of the year, given the number of key players out due to injuries. Ryans credited the outstanding defensive performance to each player who stepped onto the field at Nissan Stadium.

"We have a deep group," Ryans said. "The one thing we continue to preach — it doesn't matter who is out there, our guys do not blink. Whoever steps onto that field, we expect guys to give their best."

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) runs against the Houston Texans during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 :: Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK

Devin "Motor" Singletary puts on a show at Nissan Stadium

The Texans' offense looked different without the services of Stroud. However, running back Devin Singletary carried Houston's offensive load Sunday afternoon. Singletary finished the game with 121 yards on 26 carries, which marked his third 100-plus-yard performance of the season.

"Motor is my guy," Keenum said. "I've said that over 100 times. He made some incredible moves. I don't know if anyone else has the view of what I do — he had little subtleties of movements to set blocks while making guys move around their blockers.

"He is an impressive guy and an awesome human being. I love Moter. He is so crucial to this team and has come alive at an incredible time of the year. I am excited for him."

To understand the importance of Singletary's performance, the lackluster drives the Texans had to start the game was a great example. 

Before Singletary found his rhythm in the rushing attack, Houston had accumulated 70 yards and a turnover during its first four offensive drives. At the time, Singletary had 11 yards on three attempts. 

It wasn't until the Texans took over at the 5:38 mark of the second quarter when Singletary began to find his groove. Houston's offensive drive resulted in the veteran running back accounting for 40 of the Texans' 57 yards, which ended in a 23-yard field goal made by Fairbairn.

Since helping the Texans record a Week 10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 12, Singletary has established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the league — rushing for 502 yards and three touchdowns on 105 attempts.

"That was our plan, try to run the ball," Ryans said. "They have a tough defensive front, and we knew it wasn't going to be easy. Motor did a really nice job, the O-line did a really nice job of staying after their blocks and finishing. But Motor, he had the hot hands, and we continued to ride with him."

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Why Case Keenum over Davis Mills?

When Stroud exited Houston's Week 14 loss with a concussion, Davis Mills replaced the rookie quarterback to close the game. Stroud remained in concussion protocol for an entire week, and it appeared that Mills would receive his first start of the 2023 season. 

However, the Texans started Keenum despite the veteran quarterback being inactive through the first 12 games. Ryan said the decision to play Keenum over Mills came down to experience.

"Case did a really nice job today," Ryans said. "He was very efficient by keeping us moving. And there was no play bigger than the one he had at the end. Seeing him scramble around to find Motor for the big explosive pass to put us in field goal range. 

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"It shows that Case is a true professional. Even though he hasn't played in a while, he is always ready for the moment. He let our guys know that he was ready for the moment. He showed up and made big time plays for us."  

Keenum, despite throwing a pick-six late in the first quarter, threw for 229 yards while going 23 of 36 with one passing touchdown.