Houston Texans (3-4) at Tennessee Titans (2-5)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at LP Field, Nashville – TV: FOX

*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa

*Keys to the game: A revived Arian Foster is the last thing Tennessee wants to see right now. The Titans are a dust storm of injuries and lineup changes as they spiral toward a third consecutive losing season. Foster is averaging 102.5 yards per game on the ground and is getting yards in bunches with 16 carries of at least 10 yards. Strong starts have been common under the heavily scripted Bill O’Brien’s watch — Houston led 13-0 in the second quarter Monday before falling at Pittsburgh — and the Titans have been outscored 37-13 in the first quarter.

Watch for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started 10 games for the Titans last season, to throw on first down to take advantage of the Titans’ scheme slanted to stop Foster, then use play-action to take his shots down the field. LG Ben Jones will be largely responsible for keeping Titans DL Jurrell Casey (14.5 sacks in his past 20 games) at bay.

The Titans are turning to Zach Mettenberger, the third starting quarterback for the team this season, as Jake Locker isn’t ready to come back from a three-game absence because of a thumb injury and the team wants to get a good look at the rookie. The Titans will feature the running game, but the Texans are going to stack the line to challenge the confident Mettenberger to throw over the top. Third downs are the ongoing bugaboo for Tennessee, which is just 19 for 67 since Week 1.

*Matchup to watch – Titans LT Taylor Lewan vs. Texans OLB Jadeveon Clowney: With Mettenberger likely to see exotic looks designed to confuse, the Texans could slide the pass rushers around. Clowney, the first overall pick in the 2014 draft, and Lewan (11th) have tangled before, in the 2013 Outback Bowl between Michigan and South Carolina when Clowney made the infamous helmet-propelling hit on RB Vincent Smith. Lewan is making his third consecutive start. Clowney returned to practice this week. The coaches are hoping he can return and play 20 to 30 snaps on passing downs to work his way back into football shape on the weak side.

*Player spotlight – Texans WR Andre Johnson: The all-time great has been quiet against the Titans, but Tennessee now lacks a lock-down cover man. Johnson has gone seven games since scoring in the series (Dec. 19, 2010), but seemed to click with Fitzpatrick late in last week’s game.

*Fast facts: The Texans have 17 losses since the start of last season — 12 by seven or fewer points. … The Titans have one first-quarter touchdown and two in the fourth quarter this season.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Unable to sustain drives and cash in red-zone chances, the Titans must gamble to get an upper hand. Coach Ken Whisenhunt and Tennessee are whiffing at a high percentage, leaving the door open for Houston to land the knockout blow.

*Our pick: Texans 21-13