Even with linebacker Jadeveon Clowney sidelined — he injured his back in the first quarter and left for good in the second — the Texans turned in a dominating defensive performance, forcing three Titans turnovers and tying a franchise record with seven sacks to rebound from a 44-26 loss to the Dolphins last week. Whitney Mercilus accounted for three and a half of those sacks, a career high, and J. J. Watt had two and a half, forcing a fumble on one early in the fourth quarter. Watt, who tied a career high with nine quarterback hits, said, “That’s the type of defense we expect to be.
The Best of Week 8 in the N.F.L.
