Titans vs Texans key moments: How Tennessee Titans lost to Houston Texans
The Tennessee Titans' disappointing season ended in familiar fashion with a 23-14 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
After a Texans opening drive touchdown, they employed mostly backups against the Titans and still were able to secure a 10th win.
Will Levis and Mason Rudolph both struggled in the rain and cold at Nissan Stadium.
Here are three key moments from the Titans' Week 18 game:
Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Oilers key moments
C.J. Stroud orchestrates TD drive on opening drive, then sits
The play: C.J. Stroud found Nico Collins for a 2-yard touchdown pass to cap the Texans' opening drive.
The Texans won the toss and took the ball, driving for more than seven minutes and finishing it off with a 2-yard scoring pass from Stroud to Collins.
Stroud sat for the final 3½ quarters, with Davis Mills playing in relief. The Titans' defense struggled early, and it continued later in the first half.
Dameon Pierce 92-yard touchdown run
The play: Dameon Pierce sprinted through the middle of the field and broke free for a 92-yard touchdown run to extend Houston's lead to 13-0.
On Houston's third possession of the game, early in the second quarter, Pierce sped through the middle of the Titans' defense and outraced everyone for a 92-yard touchdown run.
Despite the missed PAT, Houston held a 13-0 lead and the Titans' offense looked helpless to make a dent in the deficit.
Derek Barnett fumble return TD seals the game
The play: Will Levis and Bryce Oliver mishandle a handoff, and Houston (and Nashville native) defensive lineman Derek Barnett returned the ball 36 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
It was a play that encapsulated the Titans offense's struggles throughout the season. Levis' handoff to Bryce Oliver on a WR outside run was mishandled, and the ball bounced on the turf to Texans defensive lineman Derek Barnett, the former Brentwood Academy and Tennessee Vols star.
Barnett returned the ball 36 yards for a defensive touchdown, flicking away Titans offensive players in the process. Houston's lead was 23-6 with 13:50 left, and the Titans were set for loss No. 14.