The Titans Just Won a Game in the Most Titans Way Possible
If the Tennessee Titans’ strategy was to fall behind early, stay behind for most of the second half, then burst to life in the fourth quarter thanks to a flurry of Cardinals’ errors and steal the game in the last second with a Joey Slye field goal? Then mission accomplished.
It was their plan all along, wasn’t it?
Jokes aside, the Titans finally getting a win does not cure all their problems. It does not fix their season or remove the speculation around coach Brian Callahan’s future.
But every victory deserves to be celebrated. Especially as a Titans fan, when they don’t come around too often.
The Titans played poorly for most of the game. Players dropped passes, the defense couldn’t keep the Cardinals out of the end zone for most of the first half, there were costly penalties and anemic offensive possessions, but in the end, the Titans snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Or, more accurately, the Arizona Cardinals snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
They had a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter and nearly made it a 22-point lead when Emari Demercado dashed through the Titans' defense on a 72-yard run that ended with him dropping the ball just outside the end zone, resulting in a touchback for the Titans.
That was the turning point in the contest, but the Titans still had a lot of work to do. Cam Ward led the way with 265 yards on 21/39 passing.
When Joey Slye missed the extra point after Tony Pollard’s rushing touchdown, it looked like the Titans didn’t have enough time to score twice to win the game, with the score 21-12.
But the Titans' defense, which kept the Cardinals from scoring a single point after the 10:43 mark in the second quarter, stepped up again and gave the Titans offense another chance.
Cam Ward moved the Titans down the field, but then he threw an interception.
That interception was subsequently fumbled, kicked into the end zone, and then recovered by Tyler Lockett for the touchdown.
That is the most Titans play imaginable.
Another defensive stop followed. And Cam Ward connected with Calvin Ridley on a beautiful throw for 38 yards to set up the game-winning field goal.
22-21. Final. Titans win.
The Titans scored 19 unanswered points, and the defense had its best performance of the year (after the first quarter).
The Titans also had fewer turnovers than the Cardinals, more sacks, more passing yards, and fewer penalties.
Calvin Ridley had a major breakout game with five catches for 131 yards. Both tight ends, Chig Okonkwo and Gunnar Helm, had four catches each and were instrumental in the Titans’ comeback.
This victory does not alleviate the uncertainty and poor play that have plagued this Titans team all season. However, it does give Cam Ward his first taste of an NFL victory, and it provides the Titans and their fans something to be happy about.
Because no matter how bizarre it was, a win is a win.