NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans had visions of grandeur for their passing attack when they acquired All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones from the Atlanta Falcons in June.

However, a hamstring injury caused Jones to miss seven games this season and has stifled his ability to develop chemistry with quarterback Ryan Tannehill. As a result, Jones finished the regular season with career lows in receptions (31), yards (434) and touchdowns (one).

"It's been a process for me going back and forth, playing and not playing," Jones said.

It took 10 games for Jones to haul in his first touchdown reception of the season. But it proved to be the difference in the Titans' 28-25 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday at NRG Stadium to clinch the top seed in the AFC.

Jones and Tannehill took a significant step forward during the season finale. The veteran receiver's touchdown reception showed they are finally starting to get on the same page.

As the play developed, Tannehill went through his progressions and threaded a pass to Jones who popped open in the back of the end zone. Jones was able to secure the tight-window throw from Tannehill for a 3-yard score.

"It was a huge play when we needed it really badly," Tannehill said. "We're steadily working at it, and to make a huge play in a critical moment in a situation where we really needed it, and to be able to make it through the contact, you know, it wasn't just a simple, easy catch. He was in the perfect spot and was able to make it through tough contact and reel it in."

The trust goes both ways. Tannehill needs to be able to trust Jones will be in the right spot so he can throw it with anticipation. Jones needs to trust Tannehill will get him the ball in a place where he can avoid a big hit.

That's the beauty of Jones' touchdown reception.

Jones was kept out of harm's way because of the location of Tannehill's throw. The pass was specifically intended for Jones' back shoulder to turn him away from the inevitable big hit that would have been delivered by Texans safety Terrence Brooks.

That won't go unnoticed by Jones and the wide receivers when they review the film.

Jones, who was acquired in the offseason -- along with a 2023 sixth-round pick -- for a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick from the Falcons, said his teammates have supported him and joked that it meant more to them when he scored.

The joy from having another receiver teams have to game plan for was evident as A.J. Brown flashed a smile when asked about Jones' touchdown.

"It's good just to have him out there, man, doing what he does," Brown said. "Just him being out there, you got to account for him. I'm glad to see him get in the end zone. He was excited."

Another good example of the growing chemistry came on a third-and-6 in the first quarter. Jones lined up as the No. 3 receiver in the Titans' trips alignment on the right side.

Here's a good example of the timing and chemistry that Ryan Tannehill and Julio Jones are continuing to develop. It was a 13-yd gain on 3rd & 6 in the 1st quarter. Tannehill delivered the ball slightly before Jones made his break allowing him to catch it and turn upfield. #Titans pic.twitter.com/raRxsyFLKr

— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) January 10, 2022

Jones ran a quick, out-breaking route and caught a pass Tannehill delivered before Jones made his break. The play resulted in a 13-yard gain.

When asked last week about what it would take to get Jones more involved in the offense, Titans coach Mike Vrabel's answer focused on availability. Jones took part in all practices leading up to the Texans game.

"He played really well for us," Vrabel said. "I think the ability for him to be out there and put some days of practice together and Ryan to start to build some trust in throwing the football there."

Jones' best game of the season came in the Titans' 33-30 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2. He finished with eight receptions for 128 yards with 51 of those yards coming from a play-action pass from Tannehill.

Much like that game, Tannehill took a couple of deep shots to Jones against Houston. Although both of the attempts were just beyond Jones' reach, it showed that Tennessee is willing to add a vertical aspect to the passing game.

If defenses aren't willing to account for that, Jones wants to make them pay.

"It's going to take time and things like that to just keep repping it moving forward," Jones said. "It felt good to get out there and start making some plays for the offense. I've been playing the game for so long. Whatever the team needs me to do, I'm willing to do and I can do. If defenses or defensive coordinators underestimate me, that's great. We'll take advantage of it."

Tannehill targeted Jones a season-high nine times against the Texans. Jones caught five of those targets for 58 yards, including the touchdown.

The results weren't spectacular, but it was a step in the right direction as Tannehill, Jones and the Titans head into the playoffs.

Fortunately for them as the No. 1 seed, they earned a bye in the first round and get time to rest and work on chemistry.