The rivalry between the Tennessee Titans and the Houston Texans has produced some thrilling moments over the years, and the 2024 NFL season was no different. These AFC South foes met twice, each encounter packed with standout individual performances, crucial momentum shifts, and moments that defined the outcome.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Tennessee Titans vs Texans match player stats from both 2024 regular season meetings — November 24, 2024 and January 5, 2025 — to break down exactly how each team’s stars performed.
Game 1: November 24, 2024 – Titans 32, Texans 27
The first clash of the 2024 season took place at NRG Stadium in Houston. The Titans came in hungry to prove themselves after a slow start to the season, while the Texans, led by standout rookie QB C.J. Stroud, were looking to strengthen their playoff push.
Quarterback Performance
- Will Levis (Titans) – 278 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception.
Levis showed poise in the pocket, connecting on key third downs and hitting deep throws to keep the Texans’ defense off balance. His 2 TD passes were crucial momentum-shifters, though a late interception almost gave Houston a way back. - C.J. Stroud (Texans) – 247 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions.
Stroud displayed his usual arm talent, but his two costly interceptions (one in the red zone) kept the Texans from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Rushing Leaders
- Tony Pollard (Titans) – 24 carries, 119 yards, 1 touchdown.
Pollard’s north-south running style and vision were on full display. He consistently gained yards after contact, keeping the clock running and wearing down the Texans’ front seven. - Joe Mixon (Texans) – 14 carries, 22 yards.
Mixon was bottled up by the Titans’ defensive line, averaging just over 1.5 yards per carry. Houston’s lack of a rushing attack put more pressure on Stroud to make plays.
Receiving Standouts
- Calvin Ridley (Titans) – 93 receiving yards.
Ridley was Levis’s go-to target on intermediate and deep routes. His ability to find soft spots in the Texans’ zone coverage kept the chains moving. - Nico Collins (Texans) – 92 receiving yards, 1 touchdown.
Collins was a constant mismatch against the Titans’ secondary. His touchdown catch in the third quarter briefly gave Houston hope.
Defensive Impact
- Danielle Hunter (Titans) – 3 sacks, 2 tackles for loss.
Hunter was a nightmare for the Texans’ offensive line. His relentless pass rush stalled multiple Houston drives. - Harold Landry III (Titans) – 1 sack.
Landry complemented Hunter’s pressure with his own disruptive plays off the edge. - Kenneth Murray Jr. (Titans) – 1 interception.
Murray’s pick came in the red zone, snuffing out a Texans scoring opportunity. - Jimmie Ward (Texans) – 1 interception.
Ward’s interception on Levis was one of the few bright spots for Houston’s defense.
Team Stats Overview
- Total Yards: Titans 369, Texans 260
- Time of Possession: Titans 34:29, Texans 25:31
- Penalties: Titans 6 for 50 yards, Texans 11 for 85 yards
The Titans’ dominance in time of possession and offensive yardage was the difference in this game. Penalties killed several Texans drives, further widening the gap.
Game 2: January 5, 2025 – Texans 23, Titans 14
The second matchup of the season flipped the script. Played in Nashville at Nissan Stadium, the Texans came in with playoff implications on the line, while the Titans were looking to play spoiler. This time, it was Houston who dictated the pace.
Quarterback Performance
- C.J. Stroud (Texans) – Precise and efficient, Stroud didn’t need to throw for massive yardage. Instead, he focused on short completions to move the chains and keep the Titans’ defense guessing.
- Will Levis (Titans) – Under constant pressure, Levis struggled to find rhythm. He made a few notable throws, but the Texans’ pass rush disrupted timing all afternoon.
Rushing Dominance
- Dameon Pierce (Texans) – Career-high 176 rushing yards.
Pierce was the star of the day. He repeatedly gashed the Titans’ defense with explosive runs, controlling the tempo and helping Houston win the possession battle. - Titans’ Rushing Attack – Mostly ineffective. Without the same blocking success from their first meeting, the Titans were forced into a pass-heavy approach, which the Texans’ secondary handled well.
Receiving Standouts
Houston spread the ball among multiple receivers, with Nico Collins again contributing in key moments. For Tennessee, Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins had a few flashes but were largely contained.
Defensive Leaders
- The Texans’ defensive front won the battle in the trenches, with multiple sacks and QB hits that kept Levis unsettled.
- Turnovers were minimal, but Houston’s ability to win on third down and prevent big plays was key.
Comparing the Two Games
When examining Tennessee Titans vs Texans match player stats, the contrast between the two meetings is clear:
| Category | Nov 24, 2024 (Titans Win) | Jan 5, 2025 (Texans Win) |
|---|---|---|
| Key Rusher | Pollard – 119 yds, 1 TD | Pierce – 176 yds |
| QB Efficiency | Levis 278 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT | Stroud – controlled, mistake-free |
| Total Yards | Titans – 369 | Texans – dominated ground game |
| Time of Poss. | Titans controlled | Texans controlled |
| Turnovers | Texans 2 INTs | Minimal turnovers |
The Titans’ win in November hinged on offensive balance and defensive disruption. The Texans’ victory in January came from ground dominance and pass rush pressure.
Key Takeaways from Player Stats
- Run Game Dictates the Winner
In both games, the team with the stronger rushing performance came out on top. Pollard’s 119 yards in November fueled the Titans, while Pierce’s 176 yards in January carried the Texans. - Turnovers Are Critical
The Texans’ 2 interceptions in Game 1 were costly. In Game 2, they avoided turnovers and reaped the rewards. - Pass Rush Changes Everything
Danielle Hunter’s 3 sacks were a game-changer in November. In January, it was Houston’s defensive front applying the constant pressure. - Discipline Matters
Houston’s 11 penalties in the first meeting extended Tennessee drives. Cleaning that up in the second meeting helped secure their win.
Looking Ahead
As these two teams move forward into the 2025 season, both sides know that individual player performances can swing games in this rivalry. The Titans will look to build more consistency in the run game and reduce costly interceptions. The Texans will aim to replicate the ground control and defensive discipline they displayed in their January victory.
Final Thoughts
The Tennessee Titans vs Texans match player stats from the 2024 season tell the story of two tightly contested battles decided by execution, discipline, and star performances. From Tony Pollard’s big day in Houston to Dameon Pierce’s career-best outing in Nashville, this rivalry continues to produce memorable moments for NFL fans.
When these AFC South rivals meet again, expect another round of fierce competition, where the margin for error will be razor-thin — and where the difference between victory and defeat may once again come down to the numbers on the stat sheet.