One Rookie Quarterback and a Whole Lot of Handoffs

The Tennessee Titans have found their identity. It's not pretty, but it's effective. They have won five straight games despite an offense that continues to score fewer and fewer points each week. That offense relies increasingly on running back Derrick Henry, who seems to get better as the season progresses. The defense, likewise, continues to get more ferocious and has allowed opponents increasingly fewer points. ... The 17-10 victory over the Houston Texans might not have been a work of art, but it was a thing of beauty in that it was a showcase for what the Titans do best on both sides of the ball. ... Rookie quarterback Malik Willis did not get much of a chance to show what he could do in his first start. He did what coaches asked him to do, which primarily was hand the ball to Henry. The limited opportunities he had in the pass game showed how much work he still has to do. ... Up next is a prime-time matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs that should serve as a litmus test for just how good this team is. After all, Tennessee's current win streak has been built exclusively against teams with winning records. ... Of particular concern with Kansas City is tight end Travis Kelce. And the challenge of containing him will be even greater if safety Amani Hooker, who left the Houston game with an injury, is unable to play this week. ... The week began with much uncertainty about the status of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. But the Titans have put themselves in a position in which they can be patient and not rush him back into the lineup if he is not healthy enough to play, even for a game such as this week's.