The Tennessee Titans got off to a hot start and held on to defeat the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 32-27.
First Quarter
A huge opening kickoff return by Dameon Pierce set up a short opening drive for the Texans. Stroud opened up the defense before floating a pass to Cade Stover as he galloped into the right corner of the endzone for the first score of the game.
The Titans responded with a 51-yard field goal from Nick Folk, but after Houston punted the ball back to Will Levis the Titans QB hit Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a 38-yard TD.
Second Quarter
Once again the Texans only snagged a single first down before punting back to the visitors. Again, Levis drove his team down the field, this time starting on his own five yard line. Tony Pollard finished off the drive with a ten-yard TD scamper.
C.J. Stroud promptly took his team back down the field, driving 73-yards before firing a dart into a tight window to Nico Collins in the endzone.
A seven-play Tennessee drive ended in a fumble and the Houston offense marched into Tennessee territory to set up Ka'imi Fairbairn's 28-yard field goal.
The half ended with a 56-yarder from Folk.
Third Quarter
Levis opened the half with a 13-play drive that set up Folk's third 50+ yarder of the day, a 51-yard strike.
Stroud was picked off again but on the next Titans drive, Jimmie Ward read Levis' eyes and took an interception back 65-yards to the house.
Fourth Quarter
After the teams exchanged punts, Fairbairn stepped up from 54-yards out and nailed a record-setting kick.
It was the kicker's 12th 50+ yard field goal of the season, setting a new NFL single-season record.
Chig Okonkwo responded by taking the ball 70-yards to the house on the first play of the next Titans drive.
More punts went back and forth before Fairbairn stepped up again but this time the kicker could not connect from 54-yards out.
Houston forced the visitors to punt, but the Titans quickly forced Stroud out of the back of the endzone for a safety.
The Texans now head to Jacksonville on December 1 before entering their bye week.
