Titans rediscover grit, get back on track
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans think they got back to what they do best, andthat’s just finding away to win.
Just in the nick of time. Losers of three of four and trailing 21-10 early in the third quarter, the Titans responded and at last looked like the team that won its first five games by taking four in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime. They scored 20 of the final 23 points in beating the Ravens 30-24 in overtime.
“We know our identity,” Titans wide receiver A. J. Brown said.“We just had to believe our identity and go out there and make plays and go out there and do what we do. This was a big game. (The Ravens) a great team over there. ... Thiswas a big-boy fight.”
Their resilience and grit combined with some big plays provided a confidence boost that couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Titans (7-3) now have won two of three. Next is a chance at pay back and control of the AFC South on Sunday with a trip to Indianapolis against the Colts (7-3), who beat them in Nashville on Nov. 12 for the head-to-head tiebreaker.
What’s working
The offense once again. The Titans scored at least 30 points for the first time since Oct .18, and trailed by 11 before out scoring the Ravens 20-3 to finish the game. Wide receivers Corey Davis and Brown were shut out in the first half. Then Davis caught all five passes after halftime for 113 yards. Brown caught four of five passes for 62 yards, including and a 14-yard TD reception for the lead late in regulation when he broke four tackles to score.
They also outgained the Ravens 423-306. Ryan Tannehill overcame his fourth interception of the season and finished with 259 yards passing and two TD passes — most of that after halftime. He says the Titans never lost faith and finally were able to fight through adversity during a game.
What needs help
The defense again struggled on third downs, allowing the Ravens to convert 9 of 15 (60%). But the Titans did show stinginess by holding the Ravens to three field goals on four trips inside the Titans 20. Amani Hooker intercepted a pass, and the Titans forced the Ravens’ three-and-out to open overtime.
Stock up
Derrick Henry. Not only is the NFL rushing leader the first running back to 1,000yards this season, he also became the first in league history to run for the winning TD in overtime multiple times in one season. Henry also had the walk-off TD run Oct. 18 in an OT win over the Texans.
He nowhas 1,079 yards rushing and six 100-yard games this season, and that game-winning TD was the 50th of Henry’s career. It earned him a Twitter shout-out from LeBron James calling Henry the “FINISHER.”
Stock down
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Going with a wildcat snap to Henry on second-and-goal at the Ravens 7 made little sense considering center Ben Jones had just gone to the sideline hurt. Jamil Douglas’ first snap went over Henry’ s head for a 20-yard loss, forcing the Titans to settle for a field goal midway through the third quarter.