The Tennessee Titans pulled off an upset victory over the divisional rival Houston Texans on Sunday, winning by a final score of 32-27.
The game had a little bit of everything. Numerous explosive touchdowns, costly interceptions, a missed chip shot field goal, and a game-sealing safety. By the time it was all said and done, the Titans actually had some lucky breaks go their way.
One week after defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said the Titans were "cursed by officiating," it was a few key penalties against the Texans that helped Tennessee prevail. Not a bad time for a reverse jinx.
With less than five minutes remaining in the game, the Texans were driving down the field trailing by three points. C.J. Stroud connected with a wide open Nico Collins for a 33-yard touchdowns to give Houston the lead...but there were flags on the field. An illegal shift penalty against the Texans took the TD off the board.
A few minutes later, Houston had to settle for a chip shot field goal attempt. Ka'imi Fairbairn, one of the NFL's most reliable kickers, hooked it wide left and preserved Tennessee's 30-27 lead with 1:56 remaining.
It was a series of unfortunate events for Houston. But it's exactly the type of thing that has gone against the Titans in any other game this season. That illegal shift penalty negating the Collins touchdown felt all to familiar to the illegal formation penalty which brought back a pivotal 53-yard Calvin Ridley touchdown in the Titans-Vikings game last week. Not this time.
Earlier in the fourth quarter, there was also a sequence where the Texans were called for back-to-back false start penalties. That temporarily killed a possession and gave life to Tennessee (which the Titans gave right back on a muffed punt).
For a team that has talked all season about how "the ball hasn't bounced their way," it feels like it finally did in Houston. Although the Titans are now sitting at 3-8 and still out of contention, getting a rivalry win against the AFC South leader on the road is a huge confidence boost.
It's validation for Brian Callahan, Ran Carthon, Will Levis, and the whole organization that things are building in the right direction. Maybe Jeffery Simmons should talk about curses more often.
