Titans season could rest on Houston outcome

Both the Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans are already in survival mode this week.

For Drew Bennett and the Titans, Sunday's game against Houston may be their most important of the season. The two teams have combined for one win through six games. Photo by Mike Strasinger.

When the 1-3 Titans face the 0-3 Texans Sunday at Reliant Stadium, there is the distinct possibility the loser might be hopelessly out of the AFC South race and perhaps the playoff chase altogether, with three-fourths of a season still to play.

Certainly there will be more attractive matchups on the schedule this weekend with Atlanta facing New England, Washington at Denver and Pittsburgh traveling to San Diego.

But in terms of sheer early-season importance, few games can match the Titans