Texans tee off on Zach Mettenberger in win over Titans

Coming off a blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins, the Houston Texans defense bounced back in a big way in Sunday's 20-6 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Led by linebacker Whitney Mercilus and defensive end J.J. Watt, the Texans sacked Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger seven times, while hitting him on 14 occasions. The seven sacks tied a Houston franchise record.

Mercilus was credited with 3.5 sacks, while Watt finished the day with 2.5 sacks.

Per the Tennessean, Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan was beaten at least twice, while head coach Ken Whisenhunt elected to once again bench starting right tackle Jeremiah Poutasi mid-game in favor of veteran Jamon Meredith.

“We played like (expletive) today,” Lewan said. “We’re upset about it. We need to do better. I need to do better.”

Watt said after the game he was surprised by the number of times the Titans attempted to block him one-on-one throughout the course of the game.

“I enjoy one-on-ones very much,” Watt said. “They are a lot more fun. They provide a lot more opportunities. Sometimes I am surprised when I get them, and there were a few of them today.”

The NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who often faces multiple blockers, added he wasn't sure why Tennessee chose not to devote more attention to him.

“I don’t know,” Watt said. “I do not know, but (the Titans) did. I told them they shouldn’t have.”