This game is always a hard hitting one as the Titans used to be the Houston Oilers a long time ago.  It will be interesting to see what gives when Steve Slaton lines up against a Titans’ D that only allowed the Steelers 36 yards on 23 carries (1.6 ypc) last week.  Still, the Texans will be feeding Slaton the football as he carried the ball 42 times in two games against the Titans last season for 216 yards (5.1 ypc).  The Texans need Slaton to have a good game running the ball or the Titans will be sending everyone after Matt Schaub when he drops back to throw the ball.  The Titans had 4 sacks against the Steelers last week.  If Schaub has time to throw the ball he will likely have some success getting the ball to WR Andre Johnson down the field.  The Texans really need to have WR Kevin Walter available for this game so that he and Owen Daniels can take some of the pressure off of Johnson.

The Titans will probably come out focused but ready to punch the Texans in the mouth due to the extra rest they got this week.  The Titans will likely go back to the running game this week with Chris Johnson and LenDale White against a Texans’ D that allowed 190 yards rushing and 4.5 ypc last week against the Jets.  Veteran QB Kerry Collins will also likely have a solid game for the Titans as long as they keep DE Mario Williams of the Texans away from him.  Rookie WR Kenny Britt and Justin Gage both are looking quite dependable and they could have big games if the Titans need them to.  The Titans beat the Texans 31-12 last year in Tennessee and this game could look a lot like last season.

PREDICTION:  TITANS 27, TEXANS 17