The Texans' pass rushers are going to miss tormenting former Tennessee quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

When the Texans swept the Titans in each of the last two seasons, Mettenberger moved with the swiftness of a statue and was sacked 11 times, including 71/2 by defensive end J.J. Watt.

Watt should have thanked Mettenberger when he accepted his NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards the last two seasons.

Much to the Texans' chagrin, Mettenberger no longer plays for Tennessee. When the Titans visit NRG Stadium on Sunday in the first AFC South game of the season, the defense will face second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota for the first time.

And nobody is going to confuse Mariota with Mettenberger. Not when it comes to ability. Not when it comes to speed. And certainly not when it comes to elusiveness.

Mariota was injured when the Texans played the Titans both games last season. The players and coaches know what kind of difference he can make in a game.

"Dual-threat quarterback," outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus said. "A guy who can hurt you with his feet. You have to let him sit in the pocket and beat us that way."

More Information Titans at Texans When/where: Noon Sunday; NRG Stadium. TV/radio: CBS; 610 AM, 100.3 FM and 1180 AM (Spanish)

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Mariota (6-4, 222) is an outstanding runner. The Titans have designed runs for him. When he drops back and sees an opportunity to run, he's as dangerous as any quarterback in the league.

"It's a challenge," cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. "Anytime you have a (quarterback) like him, who's able to create plays with his legs and make plays with his arm, that's always a challenge for the defense."

Here's something interesting about Mariota: He's been better on the road than at home, which is unusual for a young quarterback (22).

Dating back to his rookie year and not counting a trip to New England, where he left early with an injury, he's 4-4 on the road with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions.

In an effort to keep Mariota on the field and to ease some pressure on him, new general manager Jon Robinson bulked up his running game. He traded a fourth-round pick to Philadelphia for DeMarco Murray and used a second-round selection on Derrick Henry, the Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama.

Murray is off to an outstanding start with 245 yards and a touchdown. He's averaging 6 yards a carry. He's also the Titans' leading receiver with 17 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns.

"It's good," Mercilus said about the Titans' running game, which ranks eighth. "Two big backs, kind of like what we faced last week (at New England). We'll be focusing on that.

"We have to stop the run. That's the biggest thing. You let guys rush for 30 attempts or more and get 100 yards on you, you're going to probably lose the game."

As for Mariota, he's connected on 67-of-107 (62.6 percent) for 723 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Turnovers have been his biggest issue. He has committed seven. Mariota said after the 17-10 home loss to Oakland that he was trying too hard.

Mariota and his coaches know the Texans have allowed 4.8 yards a carry and four rushing touchdowns, including a 27-yard run by New England rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

"He's a really good thrower," coach Bill O'Brien said about Mariota. "Everybody knows he can run, but he's smart (and) he gets them into the right play.

"When he escapes out of the pocket or when he runs some of the quarterback run-plays they have, it's very dangerous. We have to play disciplined defense. Everybody's got to do their job."

This is a game both teams are desperate to win. The Texans want to be 3-1 and still on top of the division. The Titans want to win to pull into a first-place tie.

The Titans want to run to control the clock. Winning time of possession and reducing turnovers are important to them. And their success - or failure - begins with Mariota.

"He's a dangerous player," O'Brien said. "Obviously, one of the keys to the game is our ability to try to defend him."