Before Ryan Fitzpatrick's benching in favor of Ryan Mallett earlier this month, the Texans' offense was known for its slow starts in games. Sunday, however that wasn't the case as Houston torched the Tennessee Titans 45-21 at NRG Stadium.
Fitzpatrick, who was reinstated as the Texans' starting quarterback after Mallett's season ended early due to a torn pectoral muscle, threw for a franchise-record six touchdowns with 358 yards. The previous record-holder was Matt Schaub against the Oakland Raiders in 2012 with five touchdown passes.
"I felt really confident. I threw the ball well all week," Fitzpatrick said. "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 go out there again and play and be the starter. It was 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."
Fitzpatrick said after the game three weeks he was removed from the starting quarterback role gave him time to reflect and better himself as a player.
"Like what I said after I got benched, and even going into this week, to be a successful quarterback in this league, it's all about self-confidence. Never losing that belief in yourself and that's something that I will never lose," Fitzpatrick said.
Head coach Bill O'Brien was impressed by the resiliency Fitzpatrick showed on the field Sunday during his big game after sitting on sidelines for two games.
"You can't say enough about him as a person. He's a great guy - a really good down to earth, good teammate, really bright. He understands the game," O'Brien said. "Maybe it helped [Fitzpatrick] to take a step back. You never want to see anybody get hurt like Mallett did, but maybe it helped Fitz to see how the offense was operated and he went bin there and did a good job."
While the one win was certainly impressive for the Texans posting a season-high 45 points, O'Brien is looking to see his team repeat the performance in the upcoming games to keep their slim playoff hopes alive with Fitzpatrick under center.
"This week it seemed like everything kind of came together for [Fitzpatrick] for this particular game," O'Brien said. "The trick is, let's do it again."
Fitzpatrick wasn't the only Texans to have a breakout game being just one touchdown shy of tying the NFL record of seven passing touchdowns. Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins - who caught two of Fitzpatrick's six touchdowns - finished the game with nine receptions for a career-high 238 yards. Hopkins stressed a lot of the credit should go to his quarterback and offensive line stepping up the level of play against the Titans Sunday.
"It feels great," Hopkins said of his big game. "To be in my second year and come out and have a game like this, it speaks a lot about my offensive line and quarterback for trusting me and the offensive line for locking to give [Fitzpatrick] the time to make the play. On the stat record, it says DeAndrew Hopkins for 238, but really it should say the offensive line and Fitzpatrick."
While Fitzpatrick and Hopkins both had career days, defensive end J.J. Watt attempted to steal the show in the fourth quarter after he sacked the Titans' backup quarterback Jake Locker on the Texans side the field, causing a fumble and recovering said fumble returning it 19 yards. As if that wasn't enough for Watt- who finished the game with two sacks - he pulled in another offensive touchdown - his third offensively this season- two plays later to cap Fitzpatrick's six-touchdown day.
After the two big plays, chants of "M-V-P" rained down on the field from Texans fans in support of their favorite star. Watt's teammate Hopkins agreed with the fans.
"He's the MVP, man, hands down," Hopkins said. "That's the only way to put it."
NFL MVPs are typically offensive players - with only two defensive stars (Alan Page in 1971 and Lawrence Taylor in 1986) ever winning. Hopkins was asked why Watt should be awarded the honor over stars such as Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning. His answer was priceless.
"Because Aaron Rodgers doesn't sack quarterbacks and catch touchdowns and throw touchdowns," Hopkins said. "[Watt]'s multi-talented. When was the last time you've seen a defensive end have as many touchdowns or make the kinds of catches he's made?"
Can't argue with that.
The Texans sit with a 6-6 record heading into a Week 14 matchup against the Jaguars in Jacksonville as they attempt to win the remaining four games in the regular season to hang on to their slim playoff hopes in the AFC wild-card race.
Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey
