What can you say about this Tennessee Titans team? They have faced a COVID-19 outbreak, dealt with calls from media, players, and fans to forfeit games and to face “historic” punishment from the league, and had only three in-person practices to prepare for the undefeated Buffalo Bills. Multiple starters were missing while on the COVID-19 Reserve list, including star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons and starting wide receivers Corey Davis and Adam Humphries. What do the Titans do? In a defining moment, they came out Tuesday night and dominate the Bills and their MVP-candidate quarterback Josh Allen in every facet of the game, from start to finish.
Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans put the NFL on Notice
Pretenders to Contenders
The Titans, and their 3-0 start, have been discounted. Being discounted is something they are used to in Nashville. If they are being honest, the team kind of likes it that way. Even while coming back from a season that ended one game short of the Super Bowl, the Titans are often called pretenders, not contenders. Go ahead, sleep on the Titans; or better yet, ask Josh Norman if the Titans are for real. He might think twice next time he sizes up Derrick Henry for an open field tackle. One thing is for sure, the Titans looked like contenders Tuesday night.
GET. OFF. ME. SON. @KingHenry_2
📺: Watch on CBS or Live https://t.co/JRosML4WEm pic.twitter.com/n62OcDFwWJ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 14, 2020
Next Man Up
The stars who were healthy, and the role players seeing increased snaps, were asked to step up for the Titans. They delivered. Ryan Tannehill put on an unbelievable performance, all things considered, finishing 21 for 28 passing with three touchdowns. Tannehill also rushed four time for 42 yards and a touchdown. Derrick Henry rushed 19 times for 57 yards and two touchdowns. A.J. Brown, back from injury, had seven catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Lastly, Jonnu Smith finished with five grabs for 40 yards and two touchdowns.
The defense showed out as well, something not yet seen this season. A lot has been asked from Malcolm Butler since Adoree Jackson landed on the injured reserve. Tuesday’s game was his best performance of the season, possibly the best performance of his Titans tenure. Butler finished with seven tackles and two interceptions. Harold Landry III had a good game also, collecting his first sack of the season.
https://twitter.com/SpencerCSports/status/1316194803584061441
The Hype is Real for Derrick Henry and the Offense
Going into Tuesday’s game, all of the hype was centered around the Bills and Josh Allen, and for good reason. The Bills entered week five 4-0, and Josh Allen has started strong with 12 touchdown passes to only one interception, while adding three rushing touchdowns. The MVP quarterback in Tuesday’s game, however, was was in a Titans uniform. Ryan Tannehill continues to impress and needs to be in the discussion when considering top quarterbacks in this league.
Through four games, Ryan Tannehill has four touchdowns, 1,004 passing yards, nine touchdowns, only one interception, and a 70 percent completion percentage. In addition he has 15 rushing attempts for 77 yards and a touchdown.
With the COVID-19 outbreak hopefully in the rear view mirror, the Titans are 4-0, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the top spot in the AFC. They do not care about power rankings or “expert” picks. They continue working and continue winning. The hype is real for this Tennessee Titans team, and they put the league on notice Tuesday night.
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