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In what’s seemingly shaping into another lost season, the Houston Texans added a rare bright spot: A 22-13 upset win over the division and conference-leading Tennessee Titans on Nov. 21.
The Texans avoided extending their losing skid to nine games by notching a surprising victory – their second of 2021 – on the turf of Houston’s former NFL franchise.
Fourth-year safety Justin Reid couldn’t be happier.
"Victory tastes so sweet. Great team WIN!!" Reid, a Stanford product, tweeted postgame.
The team, which returned from a bye week, did a good job protecting the ball as quarterback Tyrod Taylor didn't commit a turnover.
According to the Texans’ website, Taylor was hit once but didn’t suffer a sack.
The journeyman signal-caller ended the afternoon with 107 yards on 14-of-24 passing and two rushing touchdowns, the team reported.
It was Taylor’s second start since returning from a hamstring injury he suffered during Houston’s 31-21 week 2 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Rookie Davis Mills, the Texans’ third-round pick from Stanford, filled in for Taylor under center with disastrous results.
The defense continued its takeaway spree that began in Miami on Nov. 7.
KHOU reported that Houston collected four interceptions against the ex-Oilers, with Desmond King accounting for half the amount.
The Texans also capitalized on a botched Tennessee punt, the CBS affiliate reported.
“Well, when you (force five turnovers) and you don’t turn it over, which we didn’t do today, first time in a while, there's a pretty good chance you have a chance to win the ballgame," head coach David Culley said, the Houston Chronicle reported.
And it was the defense that sealed the deal for AFC cellar dweller when it rebuffed a Titans comeback attempt in the final minutes of the game.
The victory is the Texans’ first on the road this season and the first since Sept. 12 when Houston throttled the Jacksonville Jaguars 37-21 to kick off the 2021 campaign.