4th Quarter – Titans ball
Levis had just given the “spread the money” sign after a first down throw so he was feeling himself, apparently. The Titans had picked up five on first down and came out in 11 personnel (one RB, one TE). TE Nick Vannett and WR Bryce Oliver were aligned in a TE-wing position on the right side. There was a condensed twins formation to the left side. Oliver went in short motion and Levis took the snap and tried to stick it into Oliver’s belly on the speed sweep. But the Titans QB was late with it and essentially threw it into Oliver’s chest. Predictably, the ball bounced away as Texans DE Derek Barnett hit the Titans WR. Barnett noticed that the ball was loose and no one was anywhere close to him. He eventually corralled the bouncing pigskin, snatching it around the Titans 36-yard line. Then, he started running. He looked at first like he was going to lateral it. Then, he thought better of it and kept running. LB Neville Hewitt put Oliver on his wallet with one of the best blocks of the day. Eventually, Titans slot WR Mason Kinsey caught up to Barnett at the 12-yard line. Barnett carried the poor Titan WR into the end zone for his second touchdown of the year. My gosh, that was a fun moment to essentially end this one.
Barnett was brilliant on Sunday – perhaps his best game as a Texan. So happy that he had a chance to finish it with his second TD.