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HomeSportsTennessee Titans turnovers costly in 31-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints

Tennessee Titans turnovers costly in 31-24 loss to the New Orleans Saints

Tennessee TitansNew Orleans, LA – With 19 seconds left in the game, Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger threw a pass to Marc Mariani that was deflected into the end zone and caught by Titans tight end Chase Coffman for a 1 yard touchdown.

It was too little too late for Tennessee as Maikon Bonani’s onside kick was recovered at midfield by New Orleans Saints’ Brandon Coleman sealing a 31-24 win over the Titans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) throws against the New Orleans Saints during second quarter of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) throws against the New Orleans Saints during second quarter of a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports)

Tennessee had five turnovers in the game as well as 10 penalties for 111 yards. Not to be outdone, New Orleans had 22 penalties for 184 yards.

The Saints started the game with a 80 yards drive that was capped by a 6 yard touchdown pass from Luke McCowan to tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for dunking the ball after the touchdown.

The Titans responded with a touchdown drive of their own. Jake Locker led Tennessee down field with a combination of Shonn Greene runs and short passes. Locker threw a 4 yard pass to the left of the end zone to Justin Hunter who made a great grab while making sure to get both feet in.

“We turned the ball over too many times, and that’s what kills you,” said Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt. “Other than that, we were pretty good on third down. We moved the ball and were successful in the red zone. There were a lot of good things, but we can’t give up the sacks and have to eliminate the turnovers.”

New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson (29) is tackled by Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) as he carries the ball in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports)
New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson (29) is tackled by Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) as he carries the ball in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. (Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports)

Locker was impressive under center for the Titans. He completed 8 passes on 11 attempts for 75 yards and a touchdown. Mettenberger was 20 of 25 for 269 yards, two touchdowns, an interception and a fumble.

Greene ran for 46 yards on 9 attempts. Rookie running back Bishop Sankey had 6 runs for 31 yards. Wide receiver Justin Hunter pulled in 4 balls for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s longest was a 64 yard reception for a touchdown.

“On the first touchdown, I just swept my feet. It was a regular fade that we had been working on in practice. Jake and I have established a really good rhythm on that play,” said Hunter. “On the second one, (Brian) Robiskie cleared it out for me. Zach made the throw, and I came through and took it to the house.”

For the Saints, quarterback Luke McCown was 12 of 20 for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Joseph Morgan caught 5 balls for 108 yards. Tight end Jimmy Graham grabbed 5 passes for 48 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“Defensively, we have to play our scheme better. It was not what we were shooting for,” stated Whisenhunt. “They did a better job after that first drive, but we have to continue to work.”

Tennessee Titans Game Scratches

  • #52 LB Colin McCarthy
  • #60 C Chris Spencer
  • #90 DL Antonio Johnson
  • #93 DL Mike Martin

Next Game

The Tennessee Titans travel to Georgia next week to face the Atlanta Falcons Saturday, August 23rd. Kickoff is at 6:00pm CDT.

Box Score

1 2 3 4 Final
Tennessee Titans 7 10 0 7 24
New Orleans Saints 7 14 0 10 31

 

 

Tennessee Titans
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
Z. Mettenberger 20/25 269 2 1
J. Locker 8/11 75 1 0
C. Whitehurst 0/0 0 0 0
Rushing ATT YDS TD LG
S. Greene 9 46 0 14
B. Sankey 6 31 0 13
J. Locker 1 7 0 7
Z. Mettenberger 1 5 0 5
D. McCluster 1 0 0 0
A. Andrews 3 -1 0 1
Receiving REC YDS TD LG
J. Hunter 4 111 2 64T
T. Thompson 5 56 0 20
C. Coffman 3 48 1 26
K. Wright 3 20 0 8
D. McCluster 2 18 0 14
I. Williams 1 18 0 18
L. Washington 1 17 0 17
D. Hagan 1 16 0 16
N. Washington 1 13 0 13
M. Preston 2 12 0 8
B. Robiskie 2 9 0 5
M. Mariani 1 8 0 8
R. Richardson 1 2 0 2
J. Battle 1 -4 0 -4
Fumbles FUM LOST REC YDS
S. Greene 1 1 0 0
D. Hagan 1 1 0 0
Z. Mettenberger 1 1 0 0
B. Sankey 1 1 0 0
Kicking FG LG XP PTS
T. Coons 1/1 50 2/2 5
M. Bonani 0/0 0 1/1 1
Punting NO AVG I20 LG
B. Kern 2 40.0 1 46
Kickoff Returns NO AVG TD LG
M. Mariani 3 30 0 36
A. Andrews 2 25 0 32
K. Wooten 1 24 0 24
Punt Returns NO AVG TD LG
M. Mariani 1 6 0 6
K. Wooten 0 0 0 0

 

 

New Orleans Saints
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
R. Griffin 13/19 179 2 0
L. McCown 12/20 117 2 0
L. Kilgore 2/3 28 0 0
Rushing ATT YDS TD LG
M. Ingram 5 19 0 6
T. Cadet 5 16 0 6
K. Robinson 4 11 0 9
D. Strozier 5 11 0 4
A. Johnson 2 9 0 6
T. Flanders 3 7 0 5
G. Jones 2 6 0 3
L. Kilgore 1 -1 0 -1
Receiving REC YDS TD LG
J. Morgan 3 108 0 52
J. Graham 5 48 2 19T
B. Coleman 2 28 0 17
P. Thomas 3 27 0 13
M. Ingram 1 23 1 23T
T. Cadet 2 22 0 15
J. Hill 2 17 0 11
B. Cooks 1 16 0 16
S. Jones 2 14 1 11
R. Meachem 1 14 0 14
N. Toon 1 6 0 6
K. Robinson 3 2 0 6
G. Jones 1 -1 0 -1
Fumbles FUM LOST REC YDS
R. Bush 0 0 1 0
B. Deaderick 0 0 1 0
A. Hicks 0 0 1 0
S. Jean-Baptiste 0 0 1 0
C. Jordan 0 0 0 0
K. Vaccaro 0 0 0 0
Kicking FG LG XP PTS
S. Graham 1/1 34 1/1 4
D. Dimke 0/0 0 3/3 3
Punting NO AVG I20 LG
T. Morstead 5 39.6 4 52
Kickoff Returns NO AVG TD LG
T. Cadet 1 26 0 26
Punt Returns NO AVG TD LG
T. Cadet 1 0 0 0
B. Cooks 0 0 0 0
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