NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans lost in Houston in Week 4 and don't have the high-stakes rematch for which they hoped.
Had they won in Jacksonville on Christmas Eve, the Titans would be playing for the AFC South title Sunday at Nissan Stadium against the Texans.
Now they are playing for a 9-7 record, which would be their first winning mark since 2011.
Here are six players to watch courtesy of Sarah Barshop, ESPN.com's Texans reporter:
OFFENSE
QB Tom Savage: Savage made his first career NFL start on Saturday night against Cincinnati, and struggled to start the game, completing just 2 passes for 13 yards in the first half. The Texans went to a no-huddle offense to open the second half, and Savage said he felt like he found a rhythm. The Titans are ranked 31st in the NFL in passing defense, so Savage could find more success on Sunday ahead of a home playoff game.
LT Duane Brown: The Texans' pass protection struggled against the Bengals, and O'Brien said Monday that it has to be better going forward. Savage was sacked four times on Saturday, including three in the first half. In the second half, the protection showed improvement, partly because Savage was getting the ball out quicker. The Titans rank 10th in the NFL with 36 sacks this season. Brown has been the Texans' best offensive lineman this season, anchoring a group that has improved since he returned from injury in Week 5.
RB Lamar Miller: Miller missed Saturday’s game with an ankle injury, and O'Brien said he will know more about his status for Sunday’s game against the Titans later in the week. Without Miller on Saturday, the Texans' running backs combined for 95 yards on 24 carries, led by Alfred Blue, who had 73 yards on 21 of those carries. The Titans are ranked fifth against the run this season, but when the teams met in Week 4, Miller ran for 82 yards on 19 carries.
DEFENSE
OLB Whitney Mercilus: The Texans have struggled to get to quarterbacks this season, and are ranked 28th in the league with 27 sacks. In the first meeting, Mercilus had seven tackles, including one for a loss. He has a team-leading 7.5 sacks this season and will be chasing backup quarterback Matt Cassel instead of the mobile Marcus Mariota.
NT Vince Wilfork: The Titans' running game is ranked third in the NFL, averaging 138.9 yards per game. The Texans have had success stopping the run, especially later in the season, but when the teams played in Week 4, Titans running back DeMarco Murray ran for 95 yards on 25 carries. Though Murray has been Tennessee's lead back this season, rookie Derrick Henry has averaged 4.5 yards per carry this season. The veteran Wilfork will anchor a defensive line that will have to stop the run, especially with Mariota out.
CB A.J. Bouye: Bouye came into the season as the Texans' No. 4 cornerback, but because of injuries, he’s been asked to play a much bigger role. The Texans have the No. 2 passing defense this season, allowing an average of just 206 yards per game. Cassel was 13-of-24 in relief in of Mariota against Jacksonville, who will not play after breaking his leg. In the first meeting, Mariota was just 13-of-29 for 202 yards and an interception. If Cassel puts up stats like that on Sunday, expect Houston to enter the playoffs on a four-game winning streak.
