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Texans stun Titans for fourth win in row

Dec 14, 2008 - 11:15 PM By Ted Dunnam PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Even though they won't quite get there, the Houston Texans are trying to prove they belong in the playoffs.

The Texans extended their franchise-record winning streak to four games with a 13-12 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in an AFC South battle.

Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson caught 11 passes for a club-record 207 yards and one touchdown while the Houston defense limited Tennessee to four Rob Bironas field goals as the Titans failed to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

"It's been showing that guys are giving it up for the team," Johnson said. "We've been able to go out and get the job done. When we don't go out and hurt ourselves, we can win games.

"It's been a long road. I didn't think it would take this long, but we've learned a lot about ourselves. We're starting to find our niche."

Tennessee (12-2) had a chance to attempt a go-ahead 49-yard field goal following the two-minute warning, but opted to go for it on 4th-and-three from the Texans 32-yard line. However, Kerry Collins' deep pass overshot Justin McCareins and the Texans took over and consumed the remaining time.

Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said there wasn't much consideration given to attempt the field goal.

"I knew (Bironas) was about five yards outside his range," Fisher said. "He made attempts before the game and couldn't get them close. I should have taken the wind in the fourth quarter and not the third, and that's exactly why I decided not to let Rob kick. I just felt that we would get things going in the fourth quarter and that it wouldn't be a factor.

"That's why we went for it on fourth down. It was not a good coaching decision."

Titans quarterback Kerry Collins disagreed.

"I agree with the call," Collins said. "You factor in the wind and you're probably looking at a 54- or 55-yarder. "Jeff made the call and we go with his call. There was a play to be made there and I didn't make it."

Texans defensive back Dunta Robinson was as shocked as anyone when Tennessee disdained the field goal attempt.

"No way did we think they were going for the home run," Robinson said. "We were expecting them to kick a field goal. We thought maybe they were going to draw us offsides.

"It was a huge challenge for this defense. Everybody thought they were going to run the ball down our throat. Our guys are going out collectively and making plays."

The fourth-down call aside, Collins felt the Titans still should have won the game.

"It doesn't settle well. We're upset, we're all mad," Collins said. "We've found ways to win those games, and we didn't get it done today.

"That's the bottom line. But we can't hang our heads. We've got to learn from it, move on and get ready for next week."

Rookie running back Steve Slaton rushed for 100 yards on 24 carries to complement Johnson's effort, picking up two key first downs in helping Houston run out the clock.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub knew Houston's game plan had to be executed almost flawlessly to produce a win.

"You've got to keep third downs manageable (against Tennessee) and keep their offense off the field," Schaub said. "We're really excited about this win and the way we were able to do it."

Schaub absorbed several jarring hits, but bounced back each time.

"It's the type of game you're going to get into against them," Schaub said. "We stood up and said we're not going to take it today. We played hard from start to finish."

The Texans (7-7) led, 10-6, at halftime on the strength of a 13-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub to Johnson. It was the only touchdown of the day in a game featuring six field goals.

Houston drove 89 yards to open a 10-3 lead, fueled by a 65-yard Schaub-to-Johnson completion on first down to the Titans 24-yard line. After the Texans converted a 3rd-and-one with a two-yard run by Slaton to the 13, Schaub and Johnson hooked up for the scoring play with 11:03 left in the half.

The Titans' only point production in the opening half came on a pair of field goals by Bironas of 26 and 23 yards. Bironas added field goals of 51 and 34 yards in the second half.

"We will certainly be adding importance to this game coming up," Collins said. "I think we need to be cognizant that we did not play our best today. We all need to play better."