Even though the weather outside of NRG stadium was a frigid 50 degrees and before you begin to laugh, that is very cold for a city that is used to 75 degrees with humidity added. Inside the stadium was blazing with one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now. The Houston Texans defeated the Tennessee Titans 34-17 to extend their winning streak to 8 games. They also completed the first game of a three game homestand (Browns, Colts).

The Texans organization held a video memorial for owner Bob McNair who passed away on last Friday at the age of 81. As pictures and video clips were being played you could feel the somber winds pass through the “House That Bob Built.”

“Obviously this team has been through a lot with the passing of Mr. McNair. To be able to do this for the family during their time of grief and loss, this is all we wanted to do is win for them,” said Texans defensive tackle Christian Covington who had a great game with 2.5 sacks.

Tennessee jumped out early on the Texans by scoring on their first drive of the game. Kicker Ryan Succop kicked a 31-yard field goal to make the score 3-0 early on in the game. After going three and out the Texans gave up another score on the Titans second drive of the game. Houston’s number two ranked defense normally does not give up back-to-back scores, but Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (22-23, 303 yards and 2 touchdowns) found tight end Jonnu Smith running right up the middle of the field for 61-yard touchdown. And just like that, the AFC South division leaders found themselves down 10-0. In the past, some Texans fans would have given up any hope of coming back but remember that this isn’t the old Texans. This is a new and improved team that has found ways to win games ever since the last team loss to the New York Giants back in September.

On the next possession, Houston’s dynamic quarterback Deshaun Watson open what would potentially be the flood gates by leading the Texans offense down the field and getting wide receiver Demaryius his first touchdown as a member of the Houston Texans. Watson completed a 12-yard pass to Thomas en route to a 34-7 offensive outburst from Houston. Not to be outdone by the wide receiver or quarterback, Lamar Miller reminded the crowd of over 71,000 in attendance why he should still be considered one of the best running backs in the AFC. The last two games at NRG Stadium, Miller has rushed for an average of 148 yards, but it was his 2nd quarter run of 97 yards (longest run in franchise history and 2nd longest run in the NFL since 2014 – Miller as a member of the Miami Dolphins) that put the game away for the Texans. He finished the game with 162 yards rushing.

“I didn’t think he had it anymore. Every time he breaks he gets caught by a linebacker, but he was able to breakthrough and make the safety miss and from there he was off to the races,” said running back Alfred Blue, who was laughing answering the question if he knew Miller still had that extra gear.”

Even though the winning streak continued it was a bitter sweet victory for the Texans. Jubilation and sadness ran throughout the locker room as the players remembered the man who brought football back to the city of Houston in 2002.

“I think these players, even the younger guys who really didn’t have a chance to know him very well, I think everybody understood from the veteran players of what Bob meant to this organization and they handled it the right way,” Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said after the game.

Rest in Peace Bob McNair, Houston will never forget you.