The Tennessee Titans traveled to Charlotte for a date with the Carolina Panthers at high noon (central time, anyway) today. Conditions are fine, as it’s a beautiful day in North Carolina for some football.
The Titans won the toss, elected to defer, and so started the game on defense. It was apparent from the start that the Panthers were going to try and dodge that Titans defensive line, getting Christian McCaffrey a couple of carries that bounced outside and getting Kyle Allen out of the pocket and on the move. The Panthers were forced to punt on their opening drive.
On their first offensive drive, the Titans were helped out by a defensive pass interference call. But, faced with 3rd & 14, failed to convert. Ryan Succop was trotted out for his first game this season, but missed the kick, keeping the game scoreless.
The second tipped Allen pass led to a Harold Landry interception. Kevin Byard recovered a fumble, but it was nullified by an illegal hands to the face penalty. Malcolm Butler had a nice pass breakup on D.J. Moore, and the defense absolutely blew up a double reverse attempt. The Titans started the game playing some damn good play-making defense.
The offense simply couldn’t keep up – faced with another 3rd & long, the Titans failed to convert. That makes for failures on 3rd & 14 and 3rd & 19. This drive, in particular, was plagued by atrocious offensive line play and ridiculous penalties, two on Taylor Lewan and one on Nate Davis.
Adoreé Jackson allowed a big reception to go through his hands, setting the Panthers up with some solid field position. McCaffrey got going on this drive, but a sack on Allen forced a field goal. Panthers take the 3-0 lead.
Dion Lewis fumbled the ball on the ensuing drive and the Panthers recovered. The Titans defense bowed up yet again, forcing a punt. But, Butler had a ball hit him directly in the chest that should’ve been an interception. The Panthers were forced to punt again, but it would only be a matter of a few plays before Donte Jackson intercepted a Ryan Tannehill pass that was batted up into the air. The Panthers made ’em pay – for some reason, McCaffrey was left wide open to haul in a touchdown pass that put the Panthers up 10-0.
UPDATE: #Titans drives so far today:
— The Unofficial Titans Podcast (@SoBrosTitans) November 3, 2019
-3rd & 14, PUNT
-3rd & 19, PUNT
-Dion Lewis fumbles
-Interception
The Titans offense just simply sucks. They couldn’t get anything going.
Allen started heating up late in the second half, completing large chunk plays to his receivers. The Titans sack Allen, but then the Panthers convert a 3rd & 14 to Moore. It’s hard to be frustrated with this defense because of what they’re tasked with. Those dudes HAVE to be growing frustrated with the same issues week in and week out, being asked to play perfect football to compensate for such a weak offense.
Curtis Samuel hauled in a touchdown reception that put the Panthers up 17-0. Ryan Succop misses another field goal to close the half. The Titans get the ball to start the second half.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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