By JASON MARTIN (@JMartZone – October 20, 2019)
No idea what that ending was with all the blunders from the zebras, but at least they got it right. Ryan Tannehill did what he needed to, the defense made stops, and the Titans won a huge game at home over the Chargers 23-20…keeping playoff hopes alive as they host three of their next four at Nissan Stadium. Here are my Big 6 Takeaways from the victory over LA on Sunday.
OFFICIATING IN THE NFL. WHAT A MESS THE END OF THIS GAME WAS
The Gordon play at the end, the TD that wasn’t, the second TD that wasn’t, and the awful fourth down spot that led to the turnover on downs. Listening to Gene Steratore attempt to explain it left me in need of naproxen sodium. Clocks are stopping, play is continuing, guys are being ruled down, and we’re left with an ending that, while thrilling, was unsatisfying and discombobulated.
On Monday night, Detroit got HOSED against the Packers at Lambeau. Here, we just saw officials dig themselves a bigger and deeper hole, but at the very least they got it right in terms of the Titans getting the football and winning the game. Only the Chargers can find a way to lose a game like this, because this is what that franchise has been doing throughout Rivers’ career.
This was a mess of a finish, but at the very least, replay did its job and ensured the proper winner.
NO SECRET THAT TANNEHILL IS CAPABLE
First half, 10/12 for 127 and a TD. Was he outstanding or flawless? No, but he was good enough on this day against a depleted Chargers defense and a Los Angeles team that’s reeling maybe even more than the Titans. Ryan made some nice throws on Sunday, including a dart to Corey Davis midway through the fourth quarter en route to a Derrick Henry touchdown run that put the Titans up double figures.
There’s nothing we saw that was earth shattering, but Tannehill got the ball out of his hands, he was accurate, he was socialistic as he spread the wealth around, and he was efficient. None of this is particularly standout in terms of “Mariota could never do this.” What we thought entering the season is he was a marked improvement from Blaine Gabbert and if his number was called, the Titans could be in much worse shape.
What we saw against the Chargers was a veteran QB who wasn’t phased by the moment, looked down the field, made the smart decision, and did his best to limit mistakes. When somebody could block Joey Bosa, he was good more often than he was bad. With this Titans defense, that’s enough, and that’s why Mariota’s play this season at least needed a break.
And he finished with over 300 yards passing on 23/29 and only took two sacks. It was a successful debut for him. He looked like the guy that should have been out there. It was the right decision.
JEFFREY SIMMONS
To come back from what he came back from in 2019 is remarkable enough, just to get on the field, but Jeffrey Simmons sacked Phillip Rivers in his rookie debut and he looked prepared for the moment. When he was drafted, many of us suggested that IF he lives up to what his talent and the words of his peers indicates, he might be a Hall of Fame level player.
I didn’t know if we’d see him at all this season, certainly not until we were nearing Thanksgiving, but he’s out there in the two-toned blue two weeks prior to HALLOWEEN. His body recovered quickly, but it also means he worked hard, because you don’t throw him out there if he isn’t ready and he hasn’t shown you what he means for your pass rush and for your defensive line. Clearly he made an impression, which is really good news for Tennessee Titans fans as long as he can stay healthy.
FOUR TACKLES, A SACK, TWO TACKLES FOR LOSS. Yeah bud, that’ll play 98. That’ll play.
RIVERS WAS OFF FOR MOST OF THE AFTERNOON
Despite 14/20, 158 and a score, his receivers had to help him to much of those numbers with some acrobatics and some insane grabs. In the third quarter, the Chargers totaled two yards, and it was here where the Titans didn’t create any real space between themselves and the opposition, but DID begin to wear down the Los Angeles defense with the intermediate passing game and Derrick Henry doing Derrick Henry things.
The Chargers offense has plenty of weapons, especially with Melvin Gordon back, but Rivers was consistently high on his throws or failed to hit almost anybody in stride, with the exception of the fourth quarter touchdown bomb down the right sidelines. The Titans secondary wasn’t quite as good as we’ve seen previously this season, because it looked like LA receivers were open by a few steps, but Rivers was off and we even saw Keenan Allen let one go through his hands that was nearly intercepted.
THIS RUN DEFENSE
21 carries for 39 yards for Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Stopping them short late in the game and forcing the fumble that won it. On a day where Rivers wasn’t particularly good, the Chargers running game was flat out bad, and that’s because the Titans defense yet again stood up and gave their team a chance to win.
Which, with Tannehill and Henry doing their thing, is exactly what happened.
FORTIFY THE BASE
The Titans must take advantage of their schedule over the next month. The opposition isn’t cake, but with three of the next four at home, Tennessee needs to build Nissan Stadium momentum and get on a run. There’s still a chance at a playoff berth, though I’m on record as saying the season is over. Technically it’s not, but the margin for error or the “we can lose this one and still” limit has almost been reached. You’re probably going to get KC without Patrick Mahomes, which isn’t what anybody expected (or hoped for), but since it’s the case, you have to use it and get a W.
3-4 needs to be 6-5 in four weeks, at least. It won’t be easy, but it’s doable, whether it’s Tannehill or Mariota. But I will say, the Titans offense looked to be in a better, more CONFIDENT rhythm with 17 out there instead of 8. For now.
