2017 SEASON - WEEK 13
TITANS PUNISH BILLS
Rishard Matthews had a big day for the Titans
12/3/17
Buffalo, NY (AP) - A desperate Tennessee Titans team came into Wegman's Field on Sunday afternoon and dominated the first-place Buffalo Bills, 36-17. The Titans defense was the story, sacking Tyrod Taylor six times, forcing him into six fumbles and capitalizing with four takeaways as they kept their playoff hopes alive on a chilly early December afternoon.
Kendrick Parker celebrates his fumble return.Brian Orakpo got the party started for the Titans midway through the opening quarter as he strip sacked Tyrod Taylor at midfield. Kendrick Parker picked up the lose ball and ran untouched, 47 yards for a score and the Titans were off and running.
Nickel Robey-Coleman had an answer for the Bills early in the second quarter as he stepped in front of Rishard Matthews and intercepted Colin Kaepernick. He then raced 48 yards down the left sideline for a score to tie the game at 7-7.
Tennessee (7-5) answered that with an impressive 92 yard drive. Derrick Henry finished it off with a one yard run. The key play of the drive was a third and 19 completion to tight end Mychal Rivera that went for 29 yards down to the Buffalo one yard line.
On Buffalo's next series, Kendrick Parker would strip sack Taylor and the Titans recovered at the Buffalo 26. Three plays later it was Henry again. This time Kaepernick hit him on a circle route out of the backfield for a 15 yard score to put the Titans up 21-7.
The Bills (8-4) would get a chance late to score, but former Bill Da'Norris Searcy picked off Taylor in the end zone in the closing moments for the half. Tennessee outgained Buffalo 172-134 in the first half and forced five Taylor fumbles, recovering two.
The second half opened much as the first half ended as Kendrick Parker strip sacked Taylor on the first play of the second half, with the Titans recovering at the Bills 22 yard line. Four plays later, Ryan Succop connected from 24 yards out and the Titans led 24-7.
Dan Carpenter would pull the Bills to within 24-10 late in the third quarter. He connected from 44 yards out after Stanley Holcombe returned a punt to the Tennessee 26 yard line, but the offense went three and out.
Brian Orakpo sacked Tyrod Taylor in the endzone early in the fourth for a safety. It was the fifth Tennessee sack on the day. The Titans had 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in this one. They would put this one away after the free kick. After an 11 yard run by Derrick Henry, Colin Kaepernick found Rishard Matthews on a slant and he broke free for a 54 yard score to put the Titans up 33-10. They would then cruise to the win, keeping their playoff hopes alive and dealing the Bills a big blow, in their quest for home field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
Up next for Buffalo is a visit from division rival Miami (2-9-1). The Bills still lead the AFC East by two games over New England (6-6), which has now won two straight.
Notes: Marquis Goodwin left the game in the third quarter with a torn rotator cuff. He will likely be placed on season ending injured reserve this week. The New York Giants have signed quarterback Kody Kessler off of the Bills practice squad after losing Eli Manning to a season ending foot injury.
Leaders:
Passing: C. Kaepernick (TEN): 13-26 274 yds, 2 TD, INT; Tyrod Taylor (BUF) 20-38 221 yds, 2 TD, INT
Rushing: Derrick Henry (TEN): 28 car 65 yds, TD; Karlos WIlliams (BUF) 16 car, 48 yds
Receiving: Sammy Watkins (BUF): 6 rec, 69 yds, TD; Rishard Matthews (TEN): 3 rec, 120 yds, TD