The Texans fell 24-17 to the Tennessee Titans in the final game of the 2016 regular season.
Tom Savage started the game but left early in the second quarter, and was ruled out with a concussion at halftime. He was 5-of-8 for 25 yards. Brock Osweiler, who finished the game, was 21-of-40 for 253 yards, passing for one touchdown and rushing for another. DeAndre Hopkins led all Texans receivers with seven catches for 123 yards.
The Texans defense, which was without starters Jadeveon Clowney, Johnathan Joseph, Brian Cushing, and John Simon, was led by cornerback Denzel Rice with a team-high nine tackles. Rookie Joel Heath recorded his first two career NFL sacks.
On the Texans opening series, a sack on Savage resulted in a fumble recovery in the endzone by Titans defensive end Daquan Jones. Tennessee took an early 7-0 lead with 9:57 left in the first quarter.
With 7:19 left in the second quarter, Quintin Demps intercepted Matt Cassel and added a 19-yard return to knock the Titans out of field goal range. This was Demps fourth straight game with an interception.Â
Cassel threw his first touchdown pass with 0:23 left in the first half. Rishard Mathew's two-yard catch gave the Titans a 14-0 lead heading into halftime.
Osweiler orchestrated the Texans first touchdown drive of the day on the opening drive of the second half. On fourth-and-goal, C.J. Fiedorowicz caught a four-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 13-play, 81-yard drive. The Texans converted five first downs, including two on big plays to Hopkins and Will Fuller V. Houston trailed 14-7 with 10:39 left in the third quarter.
Tennessee responded with a two-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry on the next drive to extend the Titans lead, 21-7.
With 3:11 left in the game, Osweiler ended a 14-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard scramble into the endzone. Houston cut the Titans advantage to 24-17, but were unable to complete the comeback.
Houston, after earning back-to-back division titles, returns home for the AFC Wildcard Playoff game at NRG Stadium.
The Texans faced the Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) passes as guard Oday Aboushi (78) blocks Tennessee Titans nose tackle Antwaun Woods (75) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) stands on the sideline after coming back onto the field in the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Savage was taken off the field earlier in the game to be examined after being shaken up on a play. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Houston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
