Boy wasn’t that a rollercoaster of a game?
The Tennessee Titans dropped their 2nd straight game today, losing to the New Orleans Saints by a score of 38-28.
I won’t be too harsh today, considering today’s Pittsburgh Steelers loss guaranteed the Titans a chance to control their own playoff destiny.
But the continuous mistakes the Titans have made over the last month or so, especially on defense, reared its ugly head once again.
Let’s start out with the offense.
For once, the Titans were able to get off to a fast start on offense. Jonnu Smith was active in the passing game, and the offense just looked crisp.
Scoring touchdowns on 2 of their first 3 drives, it seemed like the Titans would be able to sustain some success on offense without Derrick Henry.
Hehe I couldn’t have been more wrong.
After AJ Brown’s touchdown run, which was a gorgeous play call by the way, the Titans looked completely lifeless on offense.
BIG. PLAY. AJ.@Brown1arthur | #NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/WzXKLLVUX9
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 22, 2019
It’s like they didn’t think they would get that far, and just decided to sit around and take a little mini vacation.
Of course that isn’t literal in any sense, but you get the idea.
However, the Titans did find their offensive footing again in the second half, and it wasn’t from the usual suspects in AJ Brown or Corey Davis.
It was none other than Tajae Sharpe, the 4th year pro out of UMASS.
Sharpe single-handedly carried the passing game for the Titans inn the 2nd half, showing off his breakaway speed on his first score, and his ability to find open spaces in the secondary when the play breaks down.
It was a great day for Sharpe, and certainly something to build on for next week’s win and in game against Houston, and beyond.
That's a Tajae TD! 🙌🏽@Show19ine | #NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/SenNIJqUBH
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 22, 2019
While the offense was able to find their footing in the 2nd half and make it a game, the defense just couldn’t find a way to get stops.
It’s plenty hard to get going as a defense when you’re facing off against the likes of Drew Brees and Michael Thomas. But doing it shorthanded, and hoping for some sort of consistency, is asking for a death wish and also wishful thinking.
The Titans were already without corners Malcom Butler and Adoree Jackson, so you should’ve expected Drew Brees to target Michael Thomas a good bit throughout the game.
Thomas finished today’s game with 12 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown, showing off his extended route tree and just simply embarrassing any defensive back who dared to cover him.
Alvin Kamara pitched in as well with 2 touchdowns of his own.
Jared Cook added 2 touchdowns, dominating on his old stomping grounds.
All in all, it was a great finish to the game by the Saints’ offense, keeping the team alive in the fight for the 1st overall seed in the NFC.
As for the Titans, this loss doesn’t sting as much, but it does again expose some concerning issues that might keep the Titans from playing January football.
Their secondary is still banged up, their depth in the secondary is poor in quality, the offensive line played poorly today for the most part, and it seems the offense can’t find any sort of consistency if Derrick Henry isn’t eating away at chunks of yardage.
The last point is especially concerning, as Henry is still nursing a painful hamstring injury.
This team needs a quick look in the mirror, get refreshed, and get set for a big game next weekend in Houston against the Texans.
Before I leave, I want to discuss the hit on Kalif Raymond late in the game.
That hit should’ve been penalized and it would’ve been penalized if the same hit was made at a different game.
It was a dangerous hit, a hit that doesn’t have a place in today’s safety filled NFL.
I’m definitely not saying it was some malicious hit, or that CJ Gardner-Johnson is some dirty player that needs to be banned.
Most certainly not that.
If we’re committed to the safety of players, specifically the prevention of head injuries, these types of hits need to be consistently penalized.
