The Tennessee Titans’ miserable march to dismal failure in 2024-25 is complete with a haphazard loss to AFC South blood rival Houston. Tennessee began the day in a prime position to secure a top-three selection and had a chance at the first-overall pick with some external help. The Houston Texans were glad to assist in the Titans’ draft pick hunt as they tried to get right for the playoffs in Week 18. What’s next for each team as one advances to the postseason while the other faces a long offseason?
Houston Texans Assist Rival Titans In Draft Pick Hunt In Week 18
Houston didn’t necessarily need the win over Tennessee but were searching for answers after a lengthy losing streak. They received those answers after a momentous opening touchdown drive in which they easily drove down the field. The Titans offered as much resistance as an umbrella during a hurricane. Davis Mills took over the reins from C.J. Stroud after the first drive. Tennessee chose to alternate between Will Levis and Mason Rudolph, as Coach Callahan said that he would earlier in the week.
Both teams exchanged punts to end the quarter before Texans running back Dameon Pierce went on a lovely long-distance jaunt to pay dirt to make it an insurmountable 13-0.
Dameon Pierce’s stats at the half:
• 5 carries
• 112 rushing yards
• 1 TD#Texans pic.twitter.com/itqBT4TdFm— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) January 5, 2025
The second quarter didn’t end without some hijinks, as it were, with Texans receiver Robert Woods fumbling the ball away after a scramble by Mills. His turnover led to a Titans field goal to make it 13-3. Both teams bookended the halftime break with field goals.
The real drama was taken out of the proceedings after Tennessee Volunteer legend Derek Barnett made an emphatic return home, as seen below on a botched handoff from Levis (him again?). Barnett decided to rumble his way to the end zone, unlike Baltimore’s Michael Pierce, who hilariously opted not to do so on Saturday.
DEREK BARNETT WITH THE 34-YARD BIG MAN TD 🤣🔥
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/27c8PCT2CL— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2025
After that inspirational play, the game settled into its doldrums of both teams trying stuff out and exiting the regular season as quietly as possible. However, Tennessee did manage a touchdown pass in the most Levis way possible. He threw into triple coverage, and somehow, a Titans receiver scored.
What a way to get your first career TD! @will_levis hits Tay Martin for the 49 yard touchdown
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/5P6HRMOlMG
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 5, 2025
Will Levis Meme Of The Week
It’s not an actual Tennessee Titans game without an epic Levis meme. Week 18’s contribution to the season-long highlight reel:
Will Levis helping Calvin Ridley reach his incentive pic.twitter.com/XgyvZfM0rc
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) January 5, 2025
Levis was celebrating Calvin Ridley’s incentive for reaching the 1,000-yard mark. This was the milestone catch for the star receiver, which DeMeco Ryans challenged.
CALVIN RIDLEY!
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/aTvHS8Cc0v
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 5, 2025
Sunday was certainly the end of Levis’s tenure in Nashville, but he left Titans’ fans with an indelible season worth of memes. By all accounts, he’s a good person, but not the franchise’s future. He should be sent off with kind regards on his next journey.
A generational run from Will Levis this season 😂 pic.twitter.com/xI1pJsMnCf
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) January 5, 2025
Did He Really Say That?
Calvin Ridley
#Titans WR Calvin Ridley on getting 1,000 receiving yards… and why he believes in this coaching staff moving forward: pic.twitter.com/hjCP5G9nWR
— Kayla Anderson ✨ (@KaylaAndersonTV) January 5, 2025
Calvin Ridley expressed optimism in the coaching staff despite a horrendous 3-14 season, but he’s glad it’s over. This season has been trying for new staff and players. It’s time to mentally and physically reset for the 2025 season.
Head coach Brian Callahan
Brian Callahan said the top overall pick is good, but having the top pick on each round (minus the 3rd) is also a big plus. pic.twitter.com/RxDboqIGgp
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 5, 2025
Brian Callahan was optimistic about attaining the first overall selection after a long and arduous season full of negatives. Whether he is around to shepherd the selection is debatable for the administrative people above him.
Jeffery Simmons
#Titans Jeffery Simmons says it was a bit of a weird situation today playing to win as players, when most of the attention was on securing a Top 3 pick: pic.twitter.com/4MBHcBihOA
— Kayla Anderson ✨ (@KaylaAndersonTV) January 5, 2025
The star defensive linemen cited the weird energy of the home crowd, who were actively rooting for the team to fail to secure a high pick, and the players giving it their all. Ultimately, these players are human, too, and many won’t be in Nashville for the 2025 season.
What Does The Future Hold?
Thanks to the Patriots defeating a disinterested Bills team, the Titans will hold the first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Reports over the last few weeks have consistently indicated that Coach Callahan will return next season. However, the dispiriting loss to archrival Texans may change the calculus for owner Amy Adams Strunk, a notoriously rash owner who absolutely hates losing to Houston in anything.
The Texans await their scheduling fate for the wild card round as they gear up as the fourth seed in the AFC.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles – USA Today Sports
