After a long wait, Case Keenum returned to the starting lineup, leading the Tennessee Titans to a thrilling victory over the Houston Texans. Despite facing adversity and a 13-point deficit, the Titans rallied behind Keenum’s leadership and a strong team performance to secure a crucial win.
Keenum, who hadn’t started a game since Week 17 of the 2021 season, admitted feeling the pressure but ultimately embraced the opportunity. He acknowledged the significance of representing Houston, a city he has deep ties to, while also expressing his unwavering support for injured starters C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills.
“Wearing the name of Houston on the front of my jersey again, representing our city, our team, it means a lot,” said Keenum. “And this team, I love these guys. I love seven (Stroud) back at home, love 10 (Mills). Davis is one of the best human beings I know.”
The game was far from easy for the Titans. Early on, Keenum threw an interception that he openly took responsibility for, highlighting his commitment to protecting the ball. However, he bounced back with a crucial 41-yard pass to running back Devin Singletary, setting up a vital field goal.
“It was a little scramble drill. We were working kind of left to right, and I was able to escape up in the pocket,” Keenum explained. “Devin (Singletary) was my check-down on the play, and he was able to break out of that and make a really good move. I got him a ball where he can run, and he did a great job getting us in field goal range.”
Keenum praised the team’s depth and resilience, particularly in the face of numerous injuries. He credited General Manager Nick Caserio and Head Coach Mike Vrabel for assembling a team with a strong foundation of trust.
“I think from top to bottom, room to room, we’ve got some really talented guys,” Keenum stated. “Nick (Caserio) has done a great job, DeMeco (Ryans) of putting this team together. We all have trust, and it doesn’t matter who’s out there, we trust that we’re going to get the job done.”
He further emphasized the importance of this “grit” and determination, especially during the crucial December stretch and in the pursuit of a playoff berth.
“We put ourselves in a hole early, but there was no blinking on that sideline,” Keenum shared. “Nobody blinked. When I threw that pick, everybody came off, slapped me on the back and said, ‘That’s alright, we’ll go do it.’ And we did. It was great.”
When asked about his ability to stay prepared for these high-pressure moments, Keenum credited his experience and faith. “I’m built for this. I’ve been in a lot of situations, been in a lot of systems, been in a lot of different games,” he affirmed. “God’s made me who I am for moments like this.”
Keenum reserved special praise for running back Devin Singletary, who played a crucial role in the victory. He highlighted Singletary’s impressive moves and ability to find holes in the defense.
“Motors (Singletary) is my guy,” Keenum enthused. “He had little subtleties of movements that he sets up blocks and can make guys move around their blockers and then squirt through these little holes. Man, it’s impressive to watch.”
The win serves as a testament to the Tennessee Titans’ resilience and “next man up” mentality. Case Keenum’s leadership, combined with the team’s unwavering belief in each other, propelled them to a hard-fought victory that showcased their playoff potential.