The Titans got a much needed win at home in an unexpected way over the reigning Super Bowl Champion Eagles this week in Nashville. The win was critical to keep the Titans in good early season position at a record of 2-2. After a road win to open the year in Miami, the team would drop two straight against division rivals Houston and Jacksonville. Returning home and taking care of business against the Eagles was a nice lift to finish out the first quarter of the season.
The defense forced an early turnover on Carson Wentz, which actually would knock him out of the game as well with a dislocated ankle unfortunately. Mariota would capitalize with a quick strike TD pass to Tajae Sharpe. This was a great sign as Sharpe has been asked to step up in the wake of Corey Davis and Rishard Matthews both currently sidelined with injury.
Ryan Succop added a season high four Field Goals and Kevin Byard sealed the win in the 2nd half with a Pick Six for a Touchdown. Byard was actually the star of the game with 2 INT and 5 tackles and a TD backing up his Pro Bowl season from a year ago.
In addition to these performances the Defense forced a total of 5 Turnovers as Nick Foles really struggled in relief duty of Wentz and the Eagles were knocked out of their gameplan. Derrick Henry grinded out another 100 yard performance on the ground to continue his league leading rushing attack to start the season. Dion Lewis also added a nice change of pace especially out of the backfield
Kevin Byard Above makes 1st of Two INT in Win against Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
Sep 30, 2018
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
SCORE
Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)
0
3
7
0
10
Tennessee Titans (2-2)
3
10
9
3
25
Team Stats Comparison
PHI
TEN
Total Offense
399
256
Rushing Yards
121
112
Passing Yards
278
144
First Downs
18
15
Punt Return Yards
22
29
Kick Return Yards
97
85
Total Yards
518
370
Turnovers
5
1
3rd Down Conversion
7
6
4th Down Conversion
0
1
2-Point Conversion
0
0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals
66
100
Penalties
15
0
Posession Time
15:26
20:34
Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING
PHI
TEN
4:34
(TEN) R. Succop, 37 YD FG
0
3
SECOND QUARTER SCORING
PHI
TEN
8:54
(TEN) T. Sharpe 15 YD Pass from M. Mariota (R. Succop Kick)
0
10
7:34
(PHI) J. Elliot, 29 YD FG
3
10
2:29
(TEN) R. Succop, 38 YD FG
3
13
THIRD QUARTER SCORING
PHI
TEN
5:59
(TEN) R. Succop, 36 YD FG
3
16
5:04
(PHI) M. Wallace 6 YD Pass from N. Foles (J. Elliot Kick)
10
16
1:24
(TEN) K. Byard, Returned INT 38 YDS (Two Point Failed)
The Titans got off to a promising start in Week 3 against the Jags on the Road, however, things would flame out in the later part of the 3rd Quarter in route to their 2nd loss in a row, and a tough start to Divisional play for the 2018 season. The Titans now find themselves in an early backs against the wall situation within the AFC South as they have dropped consecutive early season games to the Texans and Jaguars.
Things got off to a quick and promising start for the Titans when they found themselves up early on the Heels of a nice Derrick Henry TD Run.
Titans RB Derrick Henry Scores Long TD Run Early but it's not enough
The Titans built upon their lead with a Pick 6 from Kenny Vaccaro, who had made big INT's now in 2 of the first three games and really been a key player on Defense.
However, the Jaguars put a lot of pressure on Marcus Mariota throughout the contest leading to 4 Interceptions from Mariota, 2 of which found themselves in the hands of Jalen Ramsey, one of the hottest young players in the NFL. Mariota was also on the ground more than we would like to admit with the pressure from the Jags pass rush. Not all of the blame can be placed on Mariota however, as the Titans were operating with a much depleted WR corps. Having lost both Corey Davis and Rishard Matthews to injury it was a tough situation to overcome.
On a positive note Delanie Walker, overcame double coverage throughout the game to lead all Titans receivers with 6 Grabs. Derrick Henry also built upon his NFL rushing lead with another strong performance of 99 yards on 18 carries.
Perhaps the biggest highlight for the Titans came from special teams as Ryan Succop connected on a 59 year Field goal, a very impressive kick that briefly gave the Titans the lead into the 3rd Quarter.
Next week the Titans return home to face Super Bowl Champion Eagles who will be the ender to the first Quarter of the season. An important game for the Titans to avoid a 1-3 start which would really put them in trouble.
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sep 23, 2018
1ST
2ND
3RD
4TH
SCORE
Tennessee Titans (1-2)
14
0
3
0
17
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
7
0
14
10
31
Team Stats Comparison
TEN
JAC
Total Offense
321
395
Rushing Yards
99
96
Passing Yards
222
299
First Downs
16
16
Punt Return Yards
21
6
Kick Return Yards
122
0
Total Yards
464
401
Turnovers
6
4
3rd Down Conversion
6
8
4th Down Conversion
2
0
2-Point Conversion
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals
0
100
Penalties
10
25
Posession Time
18:43
17:17
Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING
TEN
JAC
6:26
(JAC) T. Bohanon, 11 YD Run (J. Lambo Kick)
0
7
5:07
(TEN) D. Henry, 32 YD Run (R. Succop Kick)
7
7
2:56
(TEN) K. Vaccaro, Returned INT 23 YD, (R. Succop Kick)
14
7
THIRD QUARTER SCORING
TEN
JAC
7:54
(JAC) D. Westbrook 51 YD Pass from B. Bortles (J. Lambo Kick)
14
14
5:55
(TEN) R. Succop, 58 YD FG
17
14
1:14
(JAC) M. Jackson, Returned Fumble 6 YDS, (J. Lambo Kick)
17
21
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING
TEN
JAC
6:22
(JAC) J. Lambo, 29 YD FG
17
24
1:55
(JAC) K. Cole 5 YD Pass from B. Bortles (J. Lambo Kick)
The Titans got confirmation of some bad news to the Wide Receiver corps coming off the tough loss at home to the Texans in week 2. In the Monday press conference it was confirmed that the team will be without both Rishard Matthews and Corey Davis for at least the next few weeks. Both players were injured early in the contest against the Texans and did not return. Matthews is suffering from an abdominal tear and will miss less action than Davis who received an upper arm fracture and will be out 5-6 weeks.
Titans Injury Report WR - Week 3
Pos
Player
Injury Note
WR
Rishard Matthews
Abdominal Tear
WR
Corey Davis
Upper Arm Fracture
The next man up mentality is in the spotlight as the Titans will now turn to young players Taywan Taylor and Tajae Sharp to take over the top 2 receiving spots in the absence of Matthews and Davis. It was announced the team has also reached terms with Free Agent WR Justin Hardy as well a 3 year pro that will join the team this week in preparations for Jacksonville.
The expectation is that without the service of Matthews and Davis for the next few weeks that TE Delanie Walker will draw extra attention in upcoming games from opposing Defenses.
On the optimism front neither player will be placed on IR and both are expected to rejoin the team in the next 4-6 weeks.
After a solid week 1, the Tennessee Titans had a let down in week 2 as Deshaun Watson and the Texans come to Nashville and frustrate the Titans. Watson was erratic early and would have 3 interceptions in the contest. However in the 2nd half after adjustments, he was able to continually find the soft spots in the Titans Defense with both the pass and run and would throw for 299 yards total and 3 Touchdowns.
The Texans ran the ball well with a group effort and were able to Intercept Marcus Mariota twice and keep the pressure high on the Titans with 6 sacks.
The Titans had several opportunities to turn the tide and momentum, but despite solid drives on two ocassions, missed Field Goals from Ryan Succop would add insult to injury. A day to forget as the good guys drop this one to the visiting Texans in an important early season divisional battle.
Tennessee will look to bounce back next week with a tough assignment of traveling to Jacksonville to open the season against the Jags in the first of two important divisional contests.
Deshaun Watson and the Texans Driving in Titans Territory (Above)
Private Hampton University and public Norfolk State University are both located in the Hampton Roads region of coastal Virginia. The two schools are located, respectively, in Hampton, Virginia and Norfolk, Virginia, across the James River from each other. As the name of the rivalry suggests, the James River empties into the Chesapeake Bay just downstream.
Hampton and Norfolk State are both members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the FCS. The football series began in 1963 and has been played a total of 54 times as of 2017.
NORFOLK, Va. — Another game against a Division I FCS opponent and the first matchup with in-state foe William & Mary in 23 years highlight the 2018 Norfolk State football schedule, which was announced Wednesday.
NSU opens the season with the annual Labor Day Classic on Saturday, Aug. 30, against BYU. Kick-off time is 6 p.m. at William “Dick” Price Stadium.
The Spartans play seven of their 12 games on the road in 2018, including a date at the University of Appalachian State on Sept. 21. It will be the Spartans' second consecutive season playing a Division I FBS (formerly I-A) opponent, after falling to Rutgers in 2017. The Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference enjoyed a stellar season in 2017, finishing 8-5 with wins over Louisville, Florida State and eventual national champion LSU.
“Appalachian State is a great challenge for us,” NSU head coach corey ashby said. “Our players love the competition, playing against a top team like that. It will certainly make us grow up fast. But if we play hard like we did at Rutgers last year, it can be a real positive for us.”
After opening MEAC play in a home contest with Hampton on Sept. 13, the Spartans travel a short distance up Interstate 64 to face William & Mary of the Colonial Athletic Association on Oct. 20 in the beginning of a home-and-home series. The two teams have met just twice previously, with the Tribe winning both. The two previous games, which occurred in 1977 and 1985, both came while NSU was in Division II. W&M is scheduled to return to Dick Price Stadium in 2019.
“I'm really happy we could make the William & Mary game happen, and it's my hope that we can make this into a long-term series,” Corey said.
The W&M game is the first of a four-game road stretch for the Spartans. NSU plays at Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 27, and after a bye week, plays at South Carolina State on Oct. 11 and at Hampton on Oct. 18.
The Spartans play their homecoming game on Oct. 25 against Florida A&M at Dick Price Stadium.
The four-game November slate starts with a road game at Howard on Nov. 1. The Spartans close out their home schedule with matchups against Morgan State on Nov. 8 and Delaware State on Nov. 15, before ending the year on the road at Jackson State on Nov. 22. Jackson st, the newest MEAC member, will again play a full conference slate in 2018, but its games will not count toward the conference standings.
Starting a Blog and Season for my 2018 Titans! Madden 2018, All-Pro, using Armour and Sword's excellent sliders with a few tweaks for my play style. I play Defensive Camera, no switch, typically a D-Lineman or LB. I control QB Offense, Passing, Run After Catch and Rushing. CPU Catch and no switching.
Here Goes
Titans start off the season 1-0 after a very impressive all-around team performance on the Road in Miami. After falling down by 7 early when Miami would march down the field to score opening the game; the Titans bounced back for a strong performance on both Offense and Defense. The team road Derrick Henry with 30 carries and 160+ yards on the Ground plus a TD. Midway through the 4th Quarter with the Dolphins closing in to score on a drive that would have made things interesting, Kenny Vacarro came up huge with a Pick in the Endzone of a Tannehill pass to save the day. The Titans would add 2 more field goals behind strong late game running from Henry to seal the victory.
Kenny Vacarro Makes Big INT Late in Game to Secure Win! (Above)
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