The Texans' pregame meal on New Year's Day better include black-eyed peas because they have a chance to make history against the Tennessee Titans.

For the first time in their 15 seasons, the Texans can finish the regular season ranked first in defense.

The highest the Texans have ranked was second in 2011, when first-year defensive coordinator Wade Phillips elevated them from the 30th spot the previous season and helped them win their first AFC South title and a playoff game.

Not only have the Texans never finished first in defense, but neither has Romeo Crennel as a head coach or defensive coordinator.

The Texans were third under Crennel in 2015, when they won the AFC South for the third time.

The Texans have clinched the division title and a wild-card game at NRG Stadium against Oakland, Kansas City or Miami.

"If we can finish No. 1, and we're the ones in the history of the franchise that can get it done, that would be pretty special," Crennel said Thursday.

What makes the Texans' possible accomplishment so amazing is they've started 20 different players on defense and used 14 different starting combinations.

More Information By the numbers 305.7 Yards per game the Texans' defense is allowing this season, best in the NFL. 68 Average rushing yards the Texans have allowed in their last eight games. 20 Different starters the Texans have used on defense this season, with 14 different starting combinations.

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"It would mean the players have picked up the system, given good effort, learned the game plan and executed the game plan," Crennel said. "If we can finish No. 1 for the first time, that would be special."

Crennel, 69, is finishing his third season with the Texans. He owns five Super Bowl rings. He was New England's defensive coordinator when the Patriots won their first three Super Bowls. He's been the head coach at Cleveland and Kansas City.

On New Year's Day, Crennel can achieve a personal best against the Titans and backup quarterback Matt Cassel, who is replacing the injured Marcus Mariota.

"I'm not a stat guy," he said. "The only stat that's really important is the won-loss stat and making the playoffs.

"If you're No. 1 and don't make the playoffs, what good does it do you?"

Even though the Tennessee game has no bearing on the playoff race, the Texans want to close the season with a four-game winning streak that would give them a 10-6 record and make them 6-0 in the division for the first time.

Rematch with Titans

The Texans allow 305.7 yards a game. Minnesota (314.3) is second and Arizona (317.3) third.

With Mariota, the Titans were ninth (366.1) in offense, including third (138.9) in rushing.

In the Texans' 27-20 victory over the Titans on Oct. 2, Tennessee generated 320 yards, including 124 rushing.

This week, Crennel brought up to his players that the defense was first after the 12-10 victory over Cincinnati that secured the division title and a playoff game at home.

"I mentioned to them we're No. 1 in defense right now, but I mentioned it in reference to a 5-yard pass that turned into an 86-yard touchdown that shouldn't happen to a No. 1 defense," he said.

Crennel was talking about Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton throwing a short slant route to Brandon LaFell, who turned it into the long touchdown that could have cost the Texans the game.

"That's the only time I've mentioned it," Crennel said about being first in defense.

The Texans rank No. 1 despite recording only 27 sacks and forcing 16 turnovers.

The league average for sacks is 32.7. Twenty teams have more than the Texans. Only six teams have forced fewer turnovers. If you twist Crennel's elbow, he'll admit a few statistics are important to him.

"I know that some portion of the stats can help your team," he said. "If you can get off the field on third down, if you can stop the run, if you can pressure the quarterback."

In his three seasons with the Texans, the Texans have allowed opponents to convert only 33 percent on third down. Last season, they allowed 28.5 percent - lowest in the NFL since 2003. This season, they are sixth (36.9).

No excuses

The Texans have allowed an average of 68 yards rushing in their last eight games. Crennel doesn't look for excuses when things don't go well. He doesn't want to hear about playing without J.J. Watt and other players who suffered injuries.

"I tell you, they don't care," he said. "It's did you win or did you lose? They don't put an asterisk beside it that says, 'Watt didn't play this game or that game' or 'They had three injuries this game.'

"If you win, you give yourself a chance to win the division and go to the playoffs and see what we can do from there. That's been our goal all year."