On a day when they didn’t particularly play their best football, the Tennessee Titans were able to fend off a physical, tough New Orleans Saints team, 23-21, after the Saints’ attempt at a two-point conversion failed. The offense felt a little too vanilla at times. The run game wasn’t effective. And, the defense was exploited on passes across the middle, and in size mismatches in the secondary. And yet, the Titans were still able to gut out a win with another solid performance from their defensive front. Let’s get to the takeaways.
Takeaways: Titans Fend Off Saints, 23-21
- We thought it could be ugly, and it was indeed ugly. This was a nasty, physical football game. I want to soak in a tub after just watching it. It felt like the Titans were content to try and just run the ball, play defense, and run the clock out. They didn’t exactly throw the kitchen sink at the Saints, and I’m not sure if that was by design since this wasn’t an AFC game or what, but they were able to out-physical this Saints team and head home with the win. I’ve said it before this season, and I’m sure I’ll say it again – winning when you aren’t playing your best ball is one of the marks of a good team.
- What a rough day at the office for Chris Jackson. Just last week, we were talking about him developing into a key contributor on this defense, but he struggled against size, and got beat quite a bit today.
- AJ Brown was a non-factor in today’s game. He had another drop, but he was largely ineffective in the passing game (one reception, 16 yards) outside of just drawing attention away from other guys and allowing them to make plays. That’s going to happen from time to time – with a player of his caliber, I don’t think there’s any reason to worry. So, hold your “what’s wrong with AJ Brown?” takes at least for a little while longer.
- It wasn’t quite as bad as Jackson’s day, but Anthony Firkser had a bad game as well. He was, by and large, a non-factor in the passing game, and cost the team yardage with two false start penalties. At this point, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that he has been the biggest disappointment on this team so far this season. I have no idea what has happened here.
- Solid contributions from Naquan Jones and Monty Rice in relief of Teair Tart and Rashaan Evans, who were out due to injury. Jones got his first career sack, and Rice showed solid speed and solid range in running down a couple of plays and making a good 1:1 tackle. He led the team in tackles today with 11. He also had a quarterback hit.
- The Titans continue to rotate guys at running back. Last week, Adrian Peterson led the team with 10 carries. This week, it was D’Onta Foreman leading the way with 11. I would expect this to be the approach until Derrick Henry gets back.
- There was a nicely designed play in which they brought Tory Carter in, lined him up in the traditional fullback spot, looked like they were going to run right, and then sent Geoff Swaim left across the formation. Ryan Tannehill completed to Swaim to pick up some yardage.
- I also liked the design on the play that started with Brown in motion. Tannehill faked a throw to him before adjusting and getting the ball to Foreman who took it for a nice game.
- Tannehill threw an interception in the end zone, but was bailed out by a nonsensical roughing the passer call on New Orleans. It balanced out with a bogus holding call on Kevin Byard later in the game. The officiating across the NFL ain’t been pretty this season, and that may be me being a little too nice.
- Dylan Cole played well after being called up from the practice squad, forcing a fumble that stole a possession right at the start of the 2nd half. Y’all keep asking Mike Vrabel about stuff like this and he’s just going to keep repeating himself – “next man up” and “everyone’s expected to be ready to play,” and what have you.
- It was great to have Kristian Fulton back, and he looked like he was pretty close to 100% – he made some excellent, tough one-on-one tackles in this one, played physically, and had a PBU.
- They gave up way too much to the corpse of Mark Ingram. I’ll say that much.
- It sounds like I’ve written a whole lot of negative shit in this week’s takeaways column, but I’ll remind you guys that it is a wonderful thing that the Titans were able to survive that and get a win against a quality opponent.
Game Balls
- Randy Bullock – Dave McGinnis said it best on the Titans Radio postgame show, pointing out that the difference in the game was the Saints kicker missin’ kicks and the Titans kicker makin’ kicks. Randy Bullets has firmly taken ahold of the kicking job in Nashville.
- Marcus Johnson – #88 finished with five catches for 100 yards, and really, looked like the brightest spot on this offense today.
- Jeffery Simmons – Big Jeff continues to be a major force along the Titans defensive line, and a player that absolutely has to be accounted for by opposing offenses on every single play. He finished with four tackles, two sacks, and a batted pass.
- Jackrabbit Jenkins – I expect this one won’t be popular, but I think Jackrabbit deserves some credit for today’s game. He bit on a fake, and couldn’t recover quick enough to get into position to break up the pass, early on that led to a Saints touchdown. But, otherwise, he was solid – he was tight in one-on-one coverage and prevented big plays in the passing game on a couple of occasions. He had a PBU in the game, and was in on the play that prevented the Saints from converting a two-point attempt that would’ve tied it. I just think he’s been a scapegoat for a couple of really bad, memorable whiffs, but has gotten things right and played well, all things considered, these last few weeks. So, I’m just tipping my cap to the guy.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The Unofficial Titans Podcast on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or wherever you take in your podcasts!
Don’t forget to check out our friends at MANSCAPED. We’re gearing up for a fine holiday rush, and we can’t recommend a better gift for the person with balls in your life. MANSCAPED just released their Refined body wash and 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner! Get 20% off your entire order and free shipping with the promo code ‘SOBROSTITANS20’ at checkout.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
