The Houston Texans are locked into the fourth seed in the AFC after securing the AFC South title, but their recent performances leave much to be desired.
Their Christmas Day clash in Week 17 saw them suffer a crushing 31-2 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens.
Sitting at 9-7, the Texans solidified their postseason position despite being soundly beaten last week. As AFC South champions, they will enter the playoffs as the conference's fourth seed.
On the other hand, the Tennessee Titans find themselves languishing at the bottom of the NFL standings, sharing the league's worst record (3-13) with the New England Patriots. This puts Tennessee in line for the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The big question ahead of Sunday's showdown is which team will have the motivation to field a competitive lineup. Notably, one of the Titans' three wins this season came against Houston. In their Week 11 meeting, Will Levis threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, leading Tennessee to a 32-27 victory over the Texans.
Week 18 always brings unique dynamics, with motivations ranging from preserving players' health to achieving individual milestones, alongside potential implications for draft positioning. These competing priorities add a layer of intrigue to the final week.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch and listen to the Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans NFL Week 18 game, plus plenty more.
Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans: Date and kick-off time
The Titans will take on the Texans in a highly anticipated NFL game on Sunday, January 5, at 1:00 pm ET/ 10:00 am PT, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Date | Sunday, January 5 |
Kick-off Time | 1:00 pm ET/ 10:00 am PT |
Venue | Nissan Stadium |
Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
How to watch Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans on TV & stream live online
TV channel: CBS
- Broadcasters: Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Jay Feely (analyst), Ross Tucker (analyst) and Amanda Balionis (sideline) are on the game call.
Streaming service: Fubo TV
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Streaming the game with a VPN
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How to listen to live play-by-play commentary of Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans NFL Week 18 game
Audio stream: SiriusXM — Home: 232 (CAR), 830 (NE) | Away: 387 (CAR), 812 (NE)
SiriusXM allows you to stream every NFL game throughout the season. Listeners will need either a Platinum or Streaming Platinum plan.
Tennessee Titans vs Houston Texans team news & key players
Tennessee Titans team news
The Titans enter this game following a 20-13 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite outgaining Jacksonville 337-295 in total yards, Tennessee lost the turnover battle and converted just 50% of their third downs. Mason Rudolph threw for 193 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Tyjae Spears contributed 95 rushing yards on 20 carries.
This recent loss was part of a five-game skid for Tennessee, which includes defeats to the Colts (38-30) and Bengals (37-27). Offensively, the Titans average 18.6 points per game, producing 193 passing yards and 110.6 rushing yards per outing. However, their defense has been porous, conceding an average of 27.3 points per game. Mason Rudolph has completed 63.5% of his passes for 1,460 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions, while Calvin Ridley leads the receiving corps with 941 yards and four touchdowns. Reports suggest Will Levis will also see action under center, so both quarterbacks may feature in this game.
Titans injury list
Player | Position | Game Status | Injury |
---|---|---|---|
C. Dowell | Wide Receiver | Physically Unable to Perform | Knee - ACL |
C. Campbell | Linebacker | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
T. McLendon | Defensive End | Injured Reserve | Toe |
M. Brown | Safety | Questionable | Undisclosed |
O. Reese | Linebacker | Questionable | Ankle |
E. Jones | Linebacker | Questionable | Knee |
M. Davidson | Defensive Tackle | Injured Reserve | Biceps |
G. Wallow | Linebacker | Injured Reserve | Pectoral |
D. Hopkins | Wide Receiver | Questionable | Undisclosed |
D. Autry | Defensive End | Questionable | Knee |
E. Molden | Cornerback | Injured Reserve | Shin |
A. Dillard | Tackle | Questionable | Concussion |
T. Spears | Running Back | Doubtful | Concussion |
C. Moore | Wide Receiver | Questionable | Knee - ACL |
K. Wallace | Safety | Injured Reserve | Ankle |
A. Hooker | Safety | Questionable | Shoulder |
L. Sneed | Cornerback | Injured Reserve | Quadriceps |
T. Gipson | Linebacker | Injured Reserve | Ankle |
S. Murphy-Bunting | Cornerback | Questionable | Toe |
K. Peko | Defensive Lineman | Injured Reserve | Pectoral |
T. Burks | Wide Receiver | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
K. Murray | Linebacker | Injured Reserve | Wrist |
T. Boyd | Wide Receiver | Questionable | Foot |
A. Rupcich | Offensive Lineman | Injured Reserve | Triceps |
T. Pollard | Running Back | Questionable | Ankle |
Q. Diggs | Free Safety | Injured Reserve | Foot |
L. Cushenberry | Center | Injured Reserve | Achilles |
A. Key | Linebacker | Questionable | Hand |
J. Gibbens | Linebacker | Injured Reserve | Ankle |
D. Johnson | Running Back | Questionable | Undisclosed |
L. Bruss | Offensive Guard | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
N. Folk | Kicker | Questionable | Abdomen |
D. Long | Linebacker | Questionable | Undisclosed |
Houston Texans team news
As for the Texans, they come into this matchup after being dismantled by Baltimore, 31-2. CJ Stroud managed 185 passing yards but threw an interception, while Nico Collins caught three passes for 59 yards.
Prior to the Ravens loss, Houston fell 27-19 to the Kansas City Chiefs but managed to secure a 20-12 win over the Miami Dolphins. Despite clinching the AFC South, the Texans have dropped three of their last five games and five of their past eight. Their offense averages 21.8 points per game, with 209.9 passing yards and 106.4 rushing yards per contest. Defensively, they allow 22.4 points per game.
Stroud has thrown for 3,677 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions this season, while Mixon has been a standout on the ground with 993 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. It's expected that Houston's starters will play limited snaps, likely no more than a quarter or half, as they prepare for the postseason.
Texans injury list
Player | Position | Game Status | Injury |
---|---|---|---|
D. Keene | Tight End | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
D. Autry | Defensive End | Questionable | Knee |
B. Hill | Safety | Injured Reserve | Leg |
J. Thomas | Tackle | Injured Reserve | Undisclosed |
C. Keenum | Quarterback | Injured Reserve | Foot |
M. Harris | Defensive Tackle | Questionable | Undisclosed |
C. Harris | Linebacker | Questionable | Ankle |
M. Ford | Cornerback | Questionable | Back |
D. Scaife | Center | Questionable | Leg |
J. Jones | Offensive Lineman | Questionable | Hamstring |
N. Brown | Wide Receiver | Injured Reserve | Torso |
J. Okudah | Cornerback | Questionable | Concussion |
G. Fant | Tackle | Injured Reserve | Knee |
D. King | Cornerback | Questionable | Undisclosed |
J. Scruggs | Offensive Lineman | Questionable | Foot |
B. Jordan | Tight End | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
F. Fatukasi | Defensive Tackle | Questionable | Ankle |
L. Johnson | Cornerback | Questionable | Shoulder |
T. Dell | Wide Receiver | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
J. Ward | Safety | Injured Reserve | Foot |
B. Brooks | Running Back | Injured Reserve | Knee - Meniscus |
K. Lassiter | Cornerback | Questionable | Quadriceps |
D. Perryman | Linebacker | Questionable | Groin |
S. Diggs | Wide Receiver | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
C. Henderson | Cornerback | Injured Reserve | Neck |
S. Mason | Guard | Doubtful | Knee - MCL |
J. Pitre | Safety | Injured Reserve | Pectoral |
K. Hollman | Cornerback | Injured Reserve | Knee - ACL |
T. Quitoriano | Tight End | Injured Reserve | Knee |