HOUSTON — If the Texans win at Jacksonville, they’ll have a 7-6 record going into their game at Indianapolis, where they’ve never won.

The Texans are trying to beat the Jaguars for the first time since 2012. If quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick produces anything close to the performance he put on against Tennessee, leaving Jacksonville with a victory shouldn’t be a problem.

After being benched in favor of Ryan Mallett for the last two games, Fitzpatrick returned to the lineup against Tennessee and played the best game of his career. In the 45-21 victory, he completed 24 of 33 passes for 358 yards and six touchdowns. His rating was 147.5.

Fitzpatrick wasn’t sacked, and he didn’t throw an interception.

His six touchdown passes set a franchise record. He also became the eighth quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least four touchdowns in a game for three teams.

Not too shabby for a quarterback who didn’t know if he’d get another start once he was replaced by Mallett, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle and was placed on injured reserve.

“It was one of those things where I got sat down a few weeks ago, I didn’t know if I would have the chance to play and be the starter,” he said. “It was an unfortunate situation for Ryan Mallett to get hurt. But it was eye-opening for me, just to be able to not take it for granted and embrace it.”

The Texans are his third team in three years and his fifth in 10 years. He’s extremely popular with teammates and has become a confidant to many of them.

“We love Fitz,” left tackle Duane Brown said. “Looking at everything he’s been through this year, for him to come out and have that kind of game is very impressive. We’re extremely happy for him. It looked like he had a lot of fun.”

Fitzpatrick threw touchdown passes to five receivers, including two to DeAndre Hopkins, who had nine receptions for 238 yards.

“If you look at the way we practiced last week, he just picked up where he left off,” said receiver Andre Johnson, who had seven catches and a touchdown. “We were very confident in him. We knew he could play well.”

Now, of course, Fitzpatrick is expected to do it again. The Texans will settle for 50 percent of the touchdown passes he threw against the Titans if they can beat the Jaguars.

NOTES: DE J.J. Watt caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick. He has five touchdowns this season, including three on receptions. Watt added two sacks, six hits on the quarterback, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and fumble return of 14 yards to set up a touchdown. … OLB Jadeveon Clowney missed another game because of swelling in his knee. … CB Johnathan Joseph left the game with a sore Achilles tendon. He said afterward that he could have returned. Before he departed, he intercepted a pass to set up a touchdown. … TE Garrett Graham left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle. … QB Tom Savage, a fourth-round pick, played for the first time.

REPORT CARD VS. TITANS

–PASSING OFFENSE: A-plus — Ryan Fitzpatrick played the best game of his career. Of his 33 passes, only one was off target. He completed 22 for 358 yards and a franchise-record six touchdowns. Five players caught touchdown passes. Second-year receiver DeAndre Hopkins looked like Andre Johnson in his prime, catching nine passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. He had receptions of 58 and 34 for touchdowns and 56 yards to set up a touchdown. J.J. Watt caught his third touchdown pass on a fingertip reception in the end zone.

–RUSHING OFFENSE: C — Arian Foster returned to the lineup after a two-game absence and ran for 79 yards on 19 carries. He was productive in the first half with 10 for 56, but the blocking collapsed in the second half. He also caught five passes, one for his 11th touchdown. The Titans made adjustments up front and stuffed the running game over the last two quarters. The Texans finished with a 2.8-yard average per carry.

–PASS DEFENSE: B-plus — The defensive backs intercepted three passes. J.J. Watt had two sacks, six hits on the quarterback, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a 14-yard fumble return to set up a touchdown. His hit on Zach Mattenberger knocked the rookie quarterback out of the game with a sprained shoulder. The Titans finished with 275 yards passing and two touchdowns, but a lot came in mop-up play.

–RUSH DEFENSE: B-plus — The Titans generated 83 yards rushing, but 41 came in the fourth quarter when they were hopelessly behind and trying to keep backup quarterback Jake Locker from getting obliterated by the pass rush. In two games against the Titans, the Texans allowed 59.5 yards rushing.

–SPECIAL TEAMS: C — Keshawn Martin averaged 10 yards on punt returns. They returned one kickoff for seven yards. Randy Bullock kicked a 37-yard field goal but misfired from 43. The coverage teams were mediocre. Shane Lechler had a 45.7-yard gross and a 38.7 net. Special teams continue to be the weakest area on the team.

–COACHING: A — Bill O’Brien resisted going to rookie Tom Savage, as many fans and members of the media demanded. Ryan Fitzpatrick rewarded his coach’s faith in him by operating the game plan flawlessly. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel was able to make conservative calls most of the game because the Texans jumped to a 14-0 lead after their first two drives, forcing the Titans to play catchup the rest of the game.