Titans claim another victory
NASHVILLE, TENN. >> The Tennessee Titans want to stack up wins, not style points.
On a day quarterback Ryan Tannehill battled a stomach bug that had him feeling “bad” when he woke up, the Titans found yet another way to do just that, extending the NFL’s longest active win streak to six games.
Tannehill ran and threw for touchdowns as the Titans held off the New Orleans Saints 23-21 Sunday to become the second NFL team to win five straight over playoff teams from the season before. They joined the 2003 Philadelphia Eagles, though Tennessee is 7-0 overall against 2020 playoff teams this season.
“They do know how to win, and I’m thankful for that,” coach Mike Vrabel said of his Titans (8-2).
The Saints (5-4) dropped their second straight since losing quarterback Jameis Winston to a season-ending ACL injury.
“Disappointing loss,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “I thought we came in with a good plan. We fought hard. That’s what makes it difficult.”
New Orleans played without a trio of starters, including four-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara because of an injured knee.
The Saints, who outgained Tennessee 373-264, still had a chance to tie late.
Trevor Siemian threw a 15-yard TD pass to Marquez Callaway with 1:16 left, pulling the Saints within 23-21. But Adam Trautman was flagged for a false start, pushing the Saints back to the Titans 7 on the 2-pointer.
Siemian’s pass to Mark Ingram at the right edge of the end zone was incomplete.
The Titans recovered the onside kick to seal the win.