HOUSTON – The lead character in a 2014 action movie was an assassin who lost the protection of his organization as he sought revenge against the bad guys who killed his dog.

No, the story’s not fully similar to the Titans in their 26-3 loss at NRG Stadium on Sunday, but stick with me here.

When the small contingent of Tennessee media finished a short conversation with backup quarterback Ryan Tannehill and had dropped our cameras, I asked him how he was feeling after absorbing five of the six sacks the Texans recorded, some seemingly in an instant.

“I feel like John Wick at the end of the movie,” he said.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Two games left to this thriller of a season, and I can feel your excitement. I know most of you just want to sit back, root for the team to perform well and collect a win that would give the Titans a chance to match last year's 7-10.

Or not.

You sent along some good stuff for the mailbag, and so I did my best to give you some excellent and thought-provoking answers.

Feel free to continue the conversation in the comments or with follow-up questions.

Here's the best of what you sent.

Does Tim Kelly stay as OC next year? If not, who should Vrabel target outside or his staff? #Titans

— Michael Sage (@msagetitan) December 29, 2023

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There is always something to play for despite your team’s record. For the Titans, this is revenge from two weeks ago and also a chance to beat your owner’s biggest rival.

If the last part doesn’t enter the minds of the players that is OK, but avenging a loss to a team they had beat and outplayed but couldn’t finish off and eventually lost to in overtime should be motivation enough.

The Titans played well enough last week against the Seahawks but couldn’t finish off the game again and eventually lost in the last minutes of the contest.  

The trend of losing close games is not a healthy one, especially for a team under Mike Vrabel that had a reputation for winning close games.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans hit a fair share of big plays in the passing game.

Per Inside Edge, their wide receivers have the second-best average per reception (15.1 yards) in the NFL. That’s 2.5 yards more than league average.

Only the 49ers (15.1) are better with the mighty, bombs-away Dolphins and Texans tied for third and the Browns fifth (13.9) buoyed by Amari Cooper’s 17.4-yard average on 72 receptions.

Why has receiver yard per catch helped the other top teams in the category fare so much better in overall offense and points than the Titans?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- For the second time in three years, Eddie George missed the cut from the list of 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame to 15 finalists.

Three other running backs were in the final 25 with George, the Titans/Oilers' all-time leading rusher: Tiki Barber, Fred Taylor and Ricky Watters.

Of the four, only Taylor advanced to the final 15. 

By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

The Titans aren't going to the playoffs for the second straight season after qualifying for the postseason in four of the previous five seasons. However, that doesn’t mean the two remaining games on the schedule are completely meaningless.

There are still a few things left for the Titans to accomplish in their remaining tilts against the Texans and Jaguars besides trying to play spoiler to their division rivals.

1. Continue Will Levis’ development.

Mike Vrabel indicated on Tuesday that Levis would try to practice this week and that they hope he can return to play against the Texans. That would be a great thing for the Titans and Levis if he can get back on the field for these last two games.

By JAKE DOWNARD

Whether it is the prioritization of establishing the run, the unique delayed pressure with Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry on defense, the combo blocks to clear out lanes for Derrick Henry or the utilization of Henry’s gravity to set up play action passes downfield, Mike Vrabel teams have always had an identity.

Unique looks on defense have led to the Titans finishing 4th, 14th, and 4th, respectively, in red zone scoring defense over the last three years. On the other side of the ball, they’ve finished top 10 in red-zone scoring offense each of the last four seasons. 

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The difference between a rookie quarterback with upside and an established veteran was evident with Ryan Tannehill playing quarterback and giving the Titans a chance to win despite poor offensive line play.

I felt Tannehill played well and also gave the team a calming presence.

This is not to say Tannehill is better than Will Levis, but this is a game from which Levis can learn a lot from Tannehill, particularly in terms of ball placement.

Derrick Henry (19-88 and a TD)was very good and probably didn’t have his number called enough.