Lévis throws 2 TD passes to help the Titans survive the Texans 32-27

HOUSTON — Will Levis threw for 278 yards and his 70-yard touchdown pass to Chig Okonkwo put Tennessee ahead in the fourth quarter and the Titans held on for a 32-27 victory over the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Okonkwo caught a short pass and rumbled for the touchdown to give the Titans (3-8) a 30-27 lead with 9½ minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield.

The Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie with less than two minutes remaining, but Ka’imi Fairbairn’s 28-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting back up and slamming his helmet onto the field.

Titans coach Brian Callahan raised both hands in the air and smiled after seeing the miss that gave his team the win on a day when they recorded three turnovers.

The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball afterward and Harold Landry sacked CJ Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to end a two-game skid.

Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions as the AFC South-leading Texans lost for the third time in four games.

Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. But the offense faltered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries.

Tennessee extended the lead to 23-17 on a 51-yard field goal by Nick Folk with nine minutes left in the third.

Stroud threw his second interception with about 90 seconds left in the third quarter, but Ward’s touchdown came three plays later to put the Texans up 24-23.

The Titans fumbled a punt early in the fourth quarter and Houston recovered it. A 54-yard field goal by Fairbairn extended the lead to 27-23 with about 10 minutes left.

Dameon Pierce returned the kickoff 80 yards to put the Texans in the red zone. Houston took advantage on the next play when Stroud found rookie Cade Stover on a 19-yard pass for his first touchdown reception.

The Titans trailed by four after a Folk field goal when Nick Westbrook-Ikhine stepped in front of the defense and ran wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Tennessee extended the lead to 17-7 when Tony Pollard ran 10 yards for a touchdown with about 11 minutes left in the second. Pollard finished with 119 yards and a touchdown.

Nico Collins scored on a 5-yard reception with about six minutes left in the second.

Levis fumbled at the Houston 32 with 3½ minutes left in the first half and Houston got the ball back. Stroud connected with Collins on a 56-yard pass on the next play, but the Texans couldn’t move the ball and settled for a 28-yard field goal to tie it at 17-17.

Houston forced a punt after that, but rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. got his first career interception two plays later to give the ball back to Tennessee. Folk’s career-tying 56-yard field goal put the Titans up 20-17 at halftime.

Injuries

The Titans were without cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, after he was placed on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, and safety Amani Hooker, who was added to the injury report Sunday morning due to illness. Hooker leads the Titans with three interceptions. … Houston’s Jalen Pitre injured his shoulder in the second quarter and did not return. … CB Ka’dar Hollman left in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.

To be continued

Titans: Visit the Commanders next Sunday.

Texans: Visit Jacksonville next Sunday.