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Titans look to avoid trap against Texans

Dec 9, 2008 - 3:25 PM Houston (6-7) at Tennessee (12-1) 1:00 pm EST

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- The Tennessee Titans have their sights set on home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but first they must avoid a potential trap game against Matt Schaub and the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Tennessee, which was only the 10th team since the 1970 merger to start 10-0, captured its first AFC South title since 2002 with a 28-9 victory over Cleveland last week.

Rookie of the Year candidate Chris Johnson ran for 136 yards and a score and LenDale White added 99 yards and another TD. The Titans, who have won 15 of their last 16 games, became the first team to secure a postseason berth.

"Obviously, we're all pleased and happy we won the division," said quarterback Kerry Collins, who completed 14-of-23 passes for 155 yards with two scores and a pair of interceptions.

"We know there's a lot of things left we want to accomplish. (Sunday) was a good first step."

Tennessee knows how important home-field advantage is. The Titans had to go on the road in the AFC Divisional Playoffs last year, and were bounced by the San Diego Chargers. They made it a goal to host a playoff game this season.

"It's a rewarding feeling. Our goal when we left the playoff game in San Diego, the day we came back, was to have a home playoff game this year," Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said.

"That was our first goal, first and foremost. We've now guaranteed that. We'll move onto the next step, hopefully.

The Titans hold a two-game lead over Pittsburgh (10-3) for home field and host the Steelers in two weeks. Fisher mostly likely will warn his team of the dangers of looking too far ahead.

It may be a moot point, though. If Tennessee wins and Pittsburgh loses to Baltimore on Sunday, the Titans clinch home field.

Nevertheless, the Tennessee must be wary of Houston, which racked up 549 yards in a 24-21 win over Green Bay last week. Schaub returned from a four-game absence and threw for a career-high 414 yards and two touchdowns.

Schaub's injured knee was put to the test after Kris Brown kicked a game-winning 40-yard field goal.

"Kris jumped on me and just held on and I said, 'Come on, we've got more guys to celebrate with,'" Schaub said. "It was just excitement, one of those team wins. You just want to go around and give everyone a hug."

Schaub and the Texans have not had much to celebrate about against the Titans lately. Tennessee has won seven straight meetings and 11 of the last 13 encounters. The Titans picked off Schaub three times in a 31-12 win in Nashville on September 21.