Tennessee depleted, but rolling
The Tennessee Titans put together their most gratifying victory of head coach Mike Vrabel’s short tenure.
They spent the past two weeks dealing with the NFL’s first coronavirus outbreak with each morning bringing news of yet another positive test. A game postponed and rescheduled with a second pushed back. Only one practice with two walkthroughs and unrelenting criticism.
The Titans remain depleted. They’re also still undefeated.
Ryan Tannehill threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Titans routed the Buffalo Bills 4216 on a rare Tuesday night in a matchup between two of the NFL’s five remaining undefeated teams pushed back two days after a few more positive tests for Tennessee last week.
“What this organization has been through over the past couple of weeks, to really fight through all of that, shake it all off, really limited practice, limited reps and go out and put this kind of win together, I think makes a statement and I’m happy we were able to do that today,” Tannehill said.
The Titans ( 40) continued their best start since winning their first 10 games in 2008 despite not playing playing since Sept. 27 in Minnesota. Vrabel said everyone in the organization would get a game ball after this performance.
“I learned a long time ago the definition of a pro is they make the hard look easy, so whatever situation we’re presented with, we’ve got to all come together and make the best decisions for the team each and every time,” Vrabel said.
Malcolm Butler intercepted two passes, the second he returned 68 yards, and both set up short touchdowns for Tennessee. Kareem Orr’s recovery of a fumbled kickoff set up Tannehill’s fourth TD for 21 points off Buffalo’s three turnovers. Kalif Raymond’s 40yard punt return also set up a 1yard TD run by Derrick Henry.
“We expected to win,” Butler said.
The Bills ( 41) have not won five straight games since 2004.
Jets cut Bell: New York surprisingly released disgruntled running back Le’Veon Bell, ending a disappointing tenure after less than two full seasons. Bell spent his first six NFL years in Pittsburgh, but sat out the entire 2018 season in a contract dispute. He performed poorly for the Jets last season.