Both teams entered this week’s game with identical 2-4 records. That’s far below their respective pre-season aspirations.
The Titans made a major move today in starting Ryan Tannehill over Marcus Mariota. The Titans offense was virtually nonexistent the past 2 games, thus the shakeup.
While the Chargers owned the first half time of possession, the Titans put together a nice drive to end the first half with a touchdown. Ryan Tannehill made some great decisions, and AJ Brown’s sure hands enabled the Titans to complete the drive. Tannehill hit Corey Davis on an 8-yard pass for the touchdown. This tied the game at 10-10 with :23 left in the half.
While the offense moved the ball well at times, the defense needs to play better. To express the point, the Titans were 0-3 on third downs while the Chargers converted on five of their seven third-down opportunities.
The 3rd quarter was just up and down the field for the Titans. Their offense finally spent more time on the field. This was even with a Ryan Tannehill interception that stopped a drive. He was hit as he passed, and the ball went up like a wounded duck. The Titans’ defense held tight and got the ball back. As the third quarter ended, the Titans were driving and at the LA 18 yard line. The Titans defense really stepped up and held the Chargers to 2 net yards in the third quarter.
The Titans scored on a TD pass from Tannehill to Tajae Sharp, but a missed extra point left the score at 16-10.
It was great to see the Titans have another nice drive to go up 23-13, on an 11 yard Derrick Henry run. The lead was short-lived as LA answered with a 4 play 75-yard drive to pull within 23-20.
In an absolute crazy finish, it appeared that LA scored on a 16-yard pass play to take the lead. Upon further review, the receiver was short of the goal. With a first down at the ½ yard line and: 39 left, LA was hit with a 5-yard false start penalty. On the next play, the Titans were hit with pass interference, in the end, zone, so LA was first and goal at the one-yard line with :34 left an apparent Melvin Gordon touchdown run was reversed, as he was short of the goal.
On the next play, with only :19 remaining, the official ruled that Gordon was stopped, but the play was once again reversed. The review revealed that there was a fumble on the play. It was forced by linebacker Wesley Woodyard, and the ball was recovered in the end zone by Jurrell Casey. With :15 on the clock, the ball was placed on the twenty-yard line, and a Ryan Tannehill kneel down at the nineteen-yard line to end the game.
It was a hard-fought 23-20 win for the Titans. I will say that they stepped it up in the second half. The only letdown was that quick 4 play 75-yard scoring drive where a quick running back outran the linebacker for the 41 yard TD.
I will say, it was one of the craziest finishes that I’ve ever seen in all of my years.
While there were some questionable calls, as well as spotting of the ball, the outcome was positive.
Ryan Tannehill completed 23 of 29 passes for 312 yards, 2 touchdowns with 1 interception. Derek Henry contributed 90 yards on 22 carries.
Obviously, this was a much-needed win for the Titans, and now its time to get ready for next Sunday’s encounter with the Tampa Bay Bucs!
