A lot was at stake for the Tennessee Titans as they entered today’s game against the Houston Texans. The Titans were 11-point favorites with the #1 seed in the AFC on the line in Houston. Though they jumped up 21-0, the Texans didn’t quit and battled back to make this one a game in the second half. It really felt like a tale of two halves, but thankfully for Titans fans, the Titans were able to fend off the Texans, 28-25, thanks to a strong start from their defense and some gutsy play from their offense in the second half. Let’s get to the takeaways.
Takeaways:
- This was an incredibly physical football game – the broadcasters mentioned how Texans coach David Culley had said the Titans were the most physical team Houston had played this season, but also felt that they were able to match Tennessee’s physicality. That absolutely rung true in this one – guys were playing hard on both sides.
- So much of the conversation on Ryan Tannehill and his place among NFL quarterbacks centers around stats, and there’s a weird sect of NFL fans that still seem to think this is Miami Dolphins Tannehill, but I don’t know that we appropriately value his intangibles enough. That play during which he evaded a sack and hit Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for a big first down might’ve been the play of the game. He’s earned the respect of his teammates, and his toughness is among his best traits. Folks, if they kept stats on toughness, Tannehill would be among the league’s elite.
Ryan Tannehill, folks. pic.twitter.com/kJ76VIs8rp
— The Unofficial Titans Podcast (@TitansPod) January 9, 2022
- Also, shout out to the offensive line today – late in the game, with the win on the line, they gave Tannehill ample time to throw. I believe he had about a month to hit Anthony Firkser on that touchdown. We talk a lot about the skill position players, but getting the same group of offensive linemen healthy and active at the same time gives this offense a huge boost too.
- It felt like there was a concerted effort to get reps with Tannehill and Julio Jones. Getting some serious production out of Jones would be a huge bonus in the playoffs, so if that was the case, it makes sense to try and get him some work after missing time on the covid list. He finished the game with five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, but looked to be back at 100%, and perhaps that’s the more important takeaway here.
- In what had to be, despite what he was saying prior to the game, a revenge game for Zach Cunningham he played noticeably well (aside from getting Mossed by Rex Burkhead). I noticed his speed in pursuit of the play and the intensity with which he tackled on several plays.
- I mentioned earlier that it really felt like a tale of two halves for this team. With the offense, it was rolling and in rhythm in the first half. That looked like peak Titans offense. For whatever reason, that wasn’t the same unit that came out in the third quarter and manifested three consecutive three-and-outs to start the second half. Very weird.
- Likewise, while the Titans defense stymied the Texans to 0 points in the first half. In the second half, it was a different story. Davis Mills was able to pick up massive chunk plays, and the Texans found some success running empty sets and up-tempo. If I’m whoever plays the Titans in the Divisional Round, I’m watching this tape to see what exactly the Texans did in the second half to get it going.
- I absolutely loved the play when the Titans brought in Jeffery Simmons on offense. You want to talk about a battering ram? If you’re an opposing defense, how would you like to look up and see Big Jeff barreling in behind Nate Davis? And, then you have Khari Blasingame (or Tory Carter when he’s healthy) barreling in behind him….and then you have D’Onta Foreman (or Derrick Henry when he’s healthy) barreling in behind him….I mean, that’s a recipe for an automatic conversion. The problem? Simmons didn’t report as eligible, so they took the touchdown off the board. If I’m the Titans, though, I’m keeping that one up my sleeve for the postseason.
- Anthony Firkser had a couple of huge catches in this game. It’s funny how he seems to look a lot better when AJ Brown and Jones are on the field, too. Hopefully, we’ll get more 2020 Firkser from here on, and less “wtf has 2021 been?” Firkser.
- The Titans have Wild Card Weekend off. They’ll host the lowest remaining seed in the Divisional Round in two weeks. LFG.
Game Balls
- Ryan Tannehill – 23/32 for 287 yards and FOUR touchdowns, and as I mentioned above, yuge balls.
- Zach Cunningham – Cunningham just might’ve answered some huge questions that this franchise had at the linebacking position. He continues to be a bright light on defense – he had 10 tackles, two for a loss, in today’s game.
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – This is the role that NWI can excel in. He’s a good blocker and a good special teamer, but he’s also finding his footing as a safety valve with Jones and Brown back in the lineup. He caught four balls today and turned it into 78 yards and a slick touchdown.
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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
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