The Tennessee Titans were coming off an overtime win in Cleveland and a bye week, and the Ravens were coming off a shut out 40-0 win against the Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. Both teams had good stretches of passing the ball well and neither could get a consistent run game going. The defenses completely took over the 3rd quarter and the score really didn't represent how the game went.
Titans' offense
It seemed like the bye week helped Marcus Mariota because he had a few runs and it seemed like he was running at full speed again. He threw 19/28 for 218 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
The one interception was a bad one that was thrown into double coverage and ultimately ended up setting up Baltimore for a late touchdown. Other than that bad pass he looked pretty solid with his decision-making.
Delanie Walker was his main target, bringing in 5 receptions for 71 yards. Right behind him was Rishard Mattews with 4 receptions for 70 yards, and one of the two passing touchdowns for the day. The other passing touchdown was caught by Eric Decker and that marked his first TD as a member of The Titans. All it took was 8 games but he finally got one.
The run game isn't worth talking about much seeing as all 3 running backs had a combined 65 yards. Derrick Henry did have a rushing touchdown near the goal line.
Ryan Succop was 1/1 with a 48 yard field goal but he did miss his first extra point of the year as well.
Titans' defense
Even though the final score was a 3-point game it really didn't feel like one for the majority of the game. A late touchdown gave the Ravens a fighting chance but the Titans' defense kept Joe Flacco in check for the most part today.
He threw 2 interceptions, but, to his credit only one was his fault and the other was a great defensive play. One was tipped and the other was due to tight coverage. Kevin Byard was responsible for both interceptions. He had 3 picks in the Browns game 2 weeks ago so that gives him 5 interceptions over 2 weeks. Throwing his way going forward this year may be a bit of a risk.
After today the Titans are 5-3 and sitting atop the AFC South just ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars. They played the Jags earlier this season and that's why they are ahead of them even with the same record. They close the regular season out playing them again and that game could determine who takes the Afc South. The Titans play the Cincinnati Bengals next week and they lost to the Jaguars today, 23-7. It's a home game for Tennessee and they should be favored to win it.
