WRIGHT RECORDS SECOND-HIGHEST YARDAGE TOTAL: Wide receiver Kendall Wright led the Titans with seven receptions and 132 receiving yards at Houston. In notching his third career 100-yard game, he recorded the second-highest yardage total of his career behind only his 150 yards against Arizona on Dec. 15, 2013.
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WRIGHT SETS CAREER HIGH FOR TOUCHDOWNS IN A SEASON:In the third quarter,Kendall Wrightcaught a 36-yard touchdown pass fromZach Mettenberger**, giving him five touchdown receptions in 2014. That eclipses his previous career high of four touchdown receptions in 2012.
WRIGHT REACHES 50 RECEPTIONS AGAIN: In the third quarter, Kendall Wright's sixth catch of the day became his 50th reception of the season. He became the seventh player in franchise history with 50 receptions in at least three consecutive seasons. Furthermore, he joined Ernest Givins as the only two players to accomplish the feat for the team in their first three NFL seasons.
WASHINGTON SCORES 40TH RECEIVING TOUCHDOWN ON 400TH CATCH: In the fourth quarter, wide receiver Nate Washington caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jake Locker. The catch—Washington's sixth of the day for 61 total yards—was also his 400th career reception and his 40th career receiving touchdown. He became the 20th active player to reach the 400/40 plateau.
FIFTH START FOR METTENBERGER ENDS PREMATURELY: Zach Mettenberger recorded his fifth consecutive start. The sixth-round pick became the third quarterback in franchise history to start at least five games as a rookie, joining Dan Pastorini (eight in 1971), and Vince Young (13 in 2006). Mettenberger was 13-of-19 passing for 184 yards with one touchdown, one interception and a passer rating of 95.1. However, his day ended prematurely after he left the game with a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
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METTENBERGER PASSES FOR ANOTHER TD:In the third quarter,Zach Mettenbergercompleted a 36-yard touchdown pass toKendall Wright**. It gave the rookie quarterback at least one touchdown pass in all five of his NFL starts.
LOCKER'S FIRST APPEARANCE SINCE OCT. 5: After Zach Mettenberger injured his shoulder in the third quarter, Jake Locker took snaps for the first time since he was injured against the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 5. Locker completed six of his 12 pass attempts for 91 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He completed his fifth touchdown pass of 2014 and the 27th touchdown pass of his career when he hit Nate Washington in the end zone from 25 yards.
OFFENSIVE LINE CHANGES: The Titans had three changes to their starting offensive line from the previous game at Philadelphia on Nov. 23. At center, Chris Spencer was in the lineup instead of Brian Schwenke, who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. At left tackle, Taylor Lewan was inactive due to an ankle injury, leaving Will Svitek as the starter at Houston. Finally, right tackle Michael Oher was out of the starting lineup—although active—with a toe injury. In his place, Byron Stingily recorded the start. Then during the game, right guard Chance Warmack went out with an ankle injury and was replaced by the newly-signed Eric Olsen.
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McCOURTY GETS THIRD CAREER TD:In the third quarter, cornerbackJason McCourtystripped the ball out of the hands of Texans receiverAndre Johnson**. McCourty then picked the ball up and raced 62 yards down the sideline for his third career touchdown. It was his second career fumble return for a touchdown and the team's first since his score at Seattle on Oct. 13, 2013.
GROVES STARTS: With Kamerion Wimbley inactive due to a hamstring injury, seventh-year outside linebacker Quentin Groves recorded his first start in a Titans uniform. It was his 30th career start and his first since 2012 as a member of the Arizona Cardinals.
KERN, HAGAN PIN TEXANS BACK: In the second quarter, Brett Kern was credited with a 44-yard punt that pinned the Texans near their own end zone. The ball bounced inside the 10-yard line and was downed by Derek Hagan at the one-yard line. Kern averaged 45.2 yards on five punts with two placed inside the 20. His net average was 41.2 yards, giving him six games in 2014 with a net average above 40 yards.
INACTIVES: The Titans' seven inactive players were quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, wide receiver Kris Durham, running back Antonio Andrews, defensive back Marqueston Huff, tackle Taylor Lewan, defensive lineman DaQuan Jonesand outside linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.
