Will the Tennessee Titans tame, “team too little, too late?”

Like Santa Claus and his reindeer, December has become the Houston Texans’ favorite time of the year.

Since head coach Gary Kubiak took over the reigns in 2006, the Texans have saved their best football for the latter portion of the season. In 2008, after starting 3-7, Houston’s finest have won their last three games, including two December victories over the underachieving Jaguars and Packers.

Can the Tennessee Titans overcome the NFL’s, “Winter Warriors?”

Finishing the season strong has been a recurring theme during Gary Kubiak’s three-year tenure.

In 2006, after starting the season 2-6, the Texans finished the year 6-10, with a 3-2 mark in the month of December. One of those late-season victories was a thrilling, 27-24 squeaker over the eventual World Champion Indianapolis Colts.

Sitting at 3-5 at the halfway point of the 2007 season, the Texans finished the year strong, winning five of their last eight games, including another 3-2 mark in the month of December.

Last but not least, the Texans have won three consecutive games after beginning 2008 with a disappointing 3-7 record. Their record in December so far: 2-0.

Here’s the final scorecard:

Kubiak’s December record- 8-4 Win % .667

Kubiak’s Sept-Nov record- 12-21 Win %.364

At 12-1, the Tennessee Titans are sitting in a very comfortable position. With an AFC South title already under their belts, there’s only one more regular-season goal left to conquer: AFC homefield advantage. 

To get one step closer to that final goal, the Titans will have to bring their “A” game as they face off against the league’s undisputed, “monsters of meaningless football.”