30 F
Clarksville
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeSportsTennessee Titans blow lead in 14-13 loss to Buffalo Bills at Nissan...

Tennessee Titans blow lead in 14-13 loss to Buffalo Bills at Nissan Stadium

Tennessee TitansNashville, TN – Just like it happened last weekend against the Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans (1-3) saw their double digit lead evaporate Sunday in a 14-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills (3-2) at Nissan Stadium. It was a game where the Titans seemed to dominate.

In the first half, Tennessee’s defense forced Buffalo’s offense into a three and out for it’s first three drives. In fact, the Bills only had one drive where they got two first downs before punting. However, the Titans offense only managed a field goal in the first half of play.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Buffalo won 14-13. (Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) passes against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Buffalo won 14-13. (Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports)

On not scoring a touchdown in the first half, Tennessee Titan head coach Ken Whisenhunt said, “Well, I think we were one-for-one in the red zone. So, we did punch it in when we got down there. We got to the plus territory, we got close and didn’t capitalize on it, maybe. Early we punted because we felt like it was going to be a field position game. That kind of bore itself out during the course of the game.”

It was a game that the Titans seemed to have in hand leading 13-7 mid way through the 4th quarter. Tennessee’s defense had Buffalo in a 3rd and 23 situation on the Bill’s 7 yard line. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor drops back to pass with receivers running up the sidelines. With his receivers covered, Taylor scrambles up the middle for a 24 yard gain. To make matters worse, a questionable horse collar tackle penalty was called on Titans linebacker Zach Brown who had brought Taylor down by grabbing his jersey from behind.

About the play, Whisenhunt said, “A mistake, we had a stunt that got too far up the field and he didn’t get back inside.”

That play sparked the Buffalo’s offense as they moved the ball down the field to the Titan’s 2 yard line. From there, Taylor connected with wide receiver Chris Hogan for a 2 yard touchdown pass and their first lead of the game.

Tennessee Titans running back Dexter McCluster (22) is stopped by Buffalo Bills receiver Robert Woods (10) after a punt return during the second half at Nissan Stadium. The Bills won 14-13. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
Tennessee Titans running back Dexter McCluster (22) is stopped by Buffalo Bills receiver Robert Woods (10) after a punt return during the second half at Nissan Stadium. The Bills won 14-13. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)

Tennessee would have one last chance with 1:41 remaining. However, on the first play of the drive, quarterback Marcus Mariota threw a deep pass to wide receiver Kendall Wright that was intercepted by cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Bills kneeled on the ball to end the game.

When asked about the interception, Whisenhunt stated, “It was Kendall (Wright). The guy pulled off from Justin (Hunter) and came back, but Marcus (Mariota) had to throw it a little bit earlier than he wanted to.”

On keeping Tyrod Taylor in check during the game, Whisenhunt said, “Well, we tended to do that. A couple of times we had chances to tackle him and we didn’t tackle him. You knew that about him coming in and third-and-23, obviously that can’t happen, especially where it is in the field. Surely disappointing, but that’s part of this league. You know this guy does that, for the most part we did a pretty good job on him today.”

Statistically, Tennessee had the advantage. Their time of possession was 35:31 compared to 24:29 for Buffalo. The Titans passed for 179 yards while the Bills had 82.

“Well, I mean, very clearly we’re all frustrated. We’re 1-3 after four games and we feel like we’re a better football team than that. So what do you do?  We’re not going to throw our hands up. We’re going to go back to work tomorrow and we’re going to correct those mistakes and we’re going to win one of these games and then we’re going to win another one and then we’re going to pile up that way,” said Whisenhunt.

“Make no mistake – we’re close. I think if you watch the game, if you look at the tape, you can see that. So, we’re going to stay with what we’re doing, we believe in what we’re doing, and we’re just going to get better doing it,” stated Whisenhunt.

Next Sunday, October 18th, the Tennessee Titans host Miami Dolphins at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is at 12:00pm CDT.

Box Score

1 2 3 4 Final
Buffalo Bills 0 0 7 7 14
Tennessee Titans 0 3 7 3 13

 

 

Buffalo Bills
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
T. Taylor 10/17 109 1 0
C. Hogan 1/1 4 0 0
Rushing ATT YDS TD LG
T. Taylor 8 76 1 26
D. Herron 9 28 0 8
A. Dixon 7 19 0 6
C. Wood 2 3 0 3
J. Felton 1 2 0 2
P. Harvin 1 -1 0 -1
Receiving REC YDS TD LG
C. Hogan 3 52 1 46
M. Goodwin 2 24 0 14
A. Dixon 3 20 0 9
C. Clay 1 7 0 7
R. Woods 1 6 0 6
T. Taylor 1 4 0 4
Fumbles FUM LOST REC YDS
D. Herron 1 0 0 0
D. Moore 1 1 0 0
E. Wood 0 0 1 0
Kicking FG LG XP PTS
D. Carpenter 0/0 0 2/2 2
Punting NO AVG I20 LG
C. Schmidt 7 41.6 1 65
Kickoff Returns NO AVG TD LG
P. Harvin 1 24 0 24
Punt Returns NO AVG TD LG
D. Moore 3 13 0 27

 

 

Tennessee Titans
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
M. Mariota 21/32 187 0 1
Rushing ATT YDS TD LG
M. Mariota 5 47 0 22
D. McCluster 8 20 0 8
B. Sankey 7 20 0 9
A. Andrews 7 9 1 5
K. Wright 1 1 0 1
Receiving REC YDS TD LG
A. Andrews 3 45 0 23
J. Hunter 4 38 0 14
D. Walker 4 36 0 16
K. Wright 3 29 0 17
B. Sankey 3 23 0 12
H. Douglas 2 17 0 11
C. Stevens 1 1 0 1
D. McCluster 1 -2 0 -2
Fumbles FUM LOST REC YDS
J. Fowler 0 0 0 0
S. Johnson 0 0 1 0
A. Woods 0 0 0 0
Kicking FG LG XP PTS
R. Succop 2/2 41 1/1 7
Punting NO AVG I20 LG
B. Kern 6 31.8 3 58
Kickoff Returns NO AVG TD LG
B. Sankey 2 16 0 25
D. McCluster 1 20 0 20
Punt Returns NO AVG TD LG
D. McCluster 5 13 0 26
RELATED ARTICLES

Latest Articles