Tennessee Titans clinched AFC’s No. 1 seed — now the actual fun starts

HOUSTON — To these who were certain, even at halftime, that the Tennessee Titans would stroll by way of NRG Stadium on Sunday to seize the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs, that’s just not how this rivalry works.

It wasn’t heading to be that simple. Absolutely nothing is for the Titans versus the Houston Texans.

Given that, it’s complicated to quibble with an important 28-25 victory.

Even if it definitely should not have been as stressful as it proved to be in the second fifty percent.

Even if the Titans flinched offensively and eased up defensively, just about choking away a 3-landing halftime guide versus an opponent a day from the golf program.

Even if a legitimately significant fish and Super Bowl contender shouldn’t wrestle to set absent a minnow like the Texans with so significantly on the line.

Even if it took a miraculous, tide-turning perform by quarterback Ryan Tannehill on third down to spin away from a sack and discover wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for 36 yards, extending the 75-garden travel that resulted in the 1st Titans touchdown capture for Julio Jones (!) that finished up as the sport-successful rating.

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“We sort of sleepwalked by means of the third quarter and the fourth as nicely,” Titans security Kevin Byard reported.

Ought to we be anxious about that? About such an sick-timed lapse?

In the end, a period-turning near call won’t subject any additional than it did last calendar year in this stadium.

These Titans (12-5) are in a much much better placement, much too, as the normal time ends. They will not have a playoff sport outdoors of Nissan Stadium until eventually the Tremendous Bowl, and that’s a sweet edge for a workforce that appeared right until halftime Sunday to be peaking at the great time.

And still accomplishing it, for now, without the need of Derrick Henry.

Had the Titans messed close to and actually lost to the Texans, their determination not to activate Henry – who practiced this past 7 days – would have been 2nd-guessed eternally.

It was a calculated gamble. Because if we’re being genuine, who could be absolutely sure the Titans…