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LAC |
TEN |
Casey recovers fumble, Titans hold off Chargers' rally 23-20
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Tennessee Titans came up with an amazing goal-line stand stopping the Los Angeles Chargers.
Not once, twice but thrice.
Each time, they needed the replay official to overturn the call on the field turning what the Chargers thought were a pair of go-ahead touchdowns and a final ruling that gave the ball - and the game - to the Titans.
Jurrell Casey recovered a fumble by Melvin Gordon at the goal line with 15 seconds left, and Tennessee pulled out a 23-20 victory Sunday over the Chargers after a frantic final minute.
Gordon initially was ruled down shy of the goal line at the 1. Casey came out of the pile with the ball, and the Titans started celebrating. The play was reviewed and overturned the on-field ruling that Gordon was short of the goal line.
The call was a fumble forced by Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard that was recovered by Casey for a touchback. Ryan Tannehill knelt down to run out the clock as the Titans (3-4) snapped a two-game skid.
''Once I felt the ball come out, I'm like `I got to recover it. I got to recover it,''' Casey said. ''And shoot. Sure enough the ball sat in my hands. Kind of popped out for a quick second, and I thought I was about to lose it. Kind of panicked for a moment. If I let them recover it, that's a TD.''
The Chargers thought they had scored the go-ahead touchdown not once but twice in the final 44 seconds only to lose both on review by the replay official. That official also overturned Gordon being stopped on the Chargers' final play.
''You don't get 1 yard, you don't deserve to win the damn game, and that's the way it is,'' Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. ''We had 1 yard to win this game, and we let it slip out of our hands.''
First, Philip Rivers' pass that Austin Ekeler took 16 yards was ruled a touchdown only to be reversed by the replay official for not breaking the plane as he was tackled by Kenny Vaccaro and Logan Ryan at the 1. After a false start, Malcolm Butler then was flagged for defensive pass interference on Mike Williams in the end zone.
Then Gordon went over right tackle with 34 seconds left for what officials ruled a 1-yard TD, and the replay official then reversed the call for the second time in what became a run for no gain. That set up Gordon's final run with 19 seconds left.
''They obviously saw enough to overturn it,'' Rivers said. ''I just didn't.''
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said there has to be obvious visual evidence the ball had come out and a clear recovery.
''By the grace of God, we had both of those in that play for it to be able to be overturned,'' Vrabel said.
Tannehill threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns in his first start since the Titans benched Marcus Mariota looking for a spark on offense. Tannehill came through as the Titans not only won their first game at home this season but posted a season-high 403 yards. He was 23 of 29 to outduel Rivers on a day the 16-year veteran moved to sixth in career passing yards.
The Chargers (2-5) have lost three straight and five of their past six.
Rivers and the Chargers thought they had pulled off an amazing comeback after trailing 23-13 with 6:39 left. Rivers threw a 41-yard TD pass to Ekeler with 5:09 left.
The Chargers stopped Tannehill short on fourth-and-inches near midfield, and Rivers put the Chargers ahead with a 16-yard TD pass to Ekeler inside the final minute. But Ekeler was ruled down short of the goal line to set up an astounding final minute of the game.
''On the field, we won it twice,'' Chargers tight end Hunter Henry said.
Jeffery Simmons, the No. 19 pick overall in the April draft, also made his NFL debut with a sack and a tackle for loss.
Tannehill threw an 8-yard TD pass to Corey Davis just before halftime, and he hit Tajae Sharpe on a 5-yard TD pass with 13:11 left. Derrick Henry put Tennessee up 23-13 with 6:39 left with an 11-yard TD run.
The Titans held the Chargers to a pair of field goals by rookie Chase McLaughlin in the first half.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Rivers passed a pair of fellow 2004 draft picks in career passing yards during the second quarter. Rivers needed only 105 yards to pass Eli Manning (56,537) and Ben Roethlisberger (56,545), and he had 77 yards by the end of the first quarter and 158 by halftime to keep climbing that list. He finished throwing for 329 yards and two TDs.
INJURIES
The Chargers already were banged up on the offensive line with center Mike Pouncey out for the season and left tackle Russell Okung trying to work his way back from the non-football injury list with blood clots. Then left guard Forrest Lamp hurt an ankle midway through the second quarter and was carted from the sideline to the locker room. Dan Feeney moved from center to guard, and Scott Quessenberry came in at center.
The Titans lost right tackle Jack Conklin early to an injured right thigh early, and Dennis Kelly replaced him. Jamil Douglas started the third quarter at right guard with rookie Nate Davis hurting a rib. Linebacker Rashaan Evans left late in the first half only to return for the second half. Cornerback Adoree Jackson hurt a foot in the third quarter.
UP NEXT
Chargers: Continue their two-game road swing at Chicago on Sunday.
Titans: Host Tampa Bay on Sunday.
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Copyright 2019 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
D. Henry
RB 90 RuYds, RuTD, 18 ReYds, REC |
16
FPTS
|
|
P. Rivers
QB 329 PaYds, 2 PaTDs |
25
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | 27:45 | 32:15 |
1st Downs | 24 | 22 |
Rushing | 2 | 5 |
Passing | 19 | 17 |
Penalty | 3 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 6-11 | 6-11 |
4th Down Conv | 0-1 | 1-2 |
Total Net Yards | 365 | 403 |
Total Plays | 60 | 61 |
Avg Gain | 6.1 | 6.6 |
Net Yards Rushing | 39 | 97 |
Rush Attempts | 21 | 29 |
Avg Rush Yards | 1.9 | 3.3 |
Net Yards Passing | 326 | 306 |
Comp. - Att. | 24-38 | 24-30 |
Yards Per Pass | 8.6 | 10.2 |
Penalties - Yards | 4-29 | 7-54 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 1 |
Passing TDs | 2 | 2 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
Fumbles - Lost | 2-1 | 2-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 2-39.5 | 2-42.0 |
Return Yards | 11 | 83 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 1-14 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 1-8 | 3-69 |
Int. - Returns | 1-3 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 1-3 -33% | 3-3 -100% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 1-2 -50% | 2-2 -100% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
P. Rivers
17 QB
25 FPTS
|
P. Rivers | 24/38 | 329 | 2 | 0 | 25 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. Ekeler
30 RB
17 FPTS
|
A. Ekeler | 8 | 7 | 118 | 1 | 41 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. Henry
86 TE
9 FPTS
|
H. Henry | 8 | 6 | 97 | 0 | 23 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Allen
13 WR
6 FPTS
|
K. Allen | 11 | 4 | 61 | 0 | 17 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Williams
81 WR
4 FPTS
|
M. Williams | 6 | 4 | 47 | 0 | 21 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
V. Green
88 TE
0 FPTS
|
V. Green | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Gordon
25 RB
7 FPTS
|
M. Gordon | 3 | 2 | -3 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. Perryman
52 MLB
|
D. Perryman | 6-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Teamer
36 DB
|
R. Teamer | 6-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
U. Nwosu
42 LB
|
U. Nwosu | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Davis
58 OLB
|
T. Davis | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Bosa
97 DE
|
J. Bosa | 4-2 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Davis
43 CB
|
M. Davis | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Hayward
26 CB
|
C. Hayward | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Broughton
91 DT
|
C. Broughton | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Jenkins
23 DB
|
R. Jenkins | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. Egbule
51 LB
|
E. Egbule | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Watkins
27 DB
|
J. Watkins | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Square
71 DE
|
D. Square | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Brown
57 OLB
|
J. Brown | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Watt
34 FB
|
D. Watt | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Tranquill
49 LB
|
D. Tranquill | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. Davis
11 WR
|
G. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. King
20 DB
|
D. King | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Rochell
98 DE
|
I. Rochell | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Moore
89 WR
|
J. Moore | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. McGill
95 DT
|
T. McGill | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. White
44 OLB
|
K. White | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. McLaughlin
3 K
8 FPTS
|
C. McLaughlin | 2/2 | 50 | 2/2 | 8 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. Long
1 P
|
T. Long | 2 | 46.5 | 1 | 58 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. King
20 DB
0 FPTS
|
D. King | 1 | 8.0 | 8 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
R. Tannehill
17 QB
22 FPTS
|
R. Tannehill | 23/29 | 312 | 2 | 1 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Kern
6 P
0 FPTS
|
B. Kern | 1/1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. Henry
22 RB
16 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 22 | 90 | 1 | 12 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Tannehill
17 QB
22 FPTS
|
R. Tannehill | 5 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Lewis
33 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Brown
11 WR
6 FPTS
|
A. Brown | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 | 6 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
C. Davis
84 WR
14 FPTS
|
C. Davis | 7 | 6 | 80 | 1 | 38 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Brown
11 WR
6 FPTS
|
A. Brown | 8 | 6 | 64 | 0 | 16 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Smith
81 TE
6 FPTS
|
J. Smith | 3 | 3 | 64 | 0 | 35 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Humphries
10 WR
4 FPTS
|
A. Humphries | 4 | 4 | 40 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Firkser
86 TE
2 FPTS
|
A. Firkser | 1 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 27 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Sharpe
19 WR
7 FPTS
|
T. Sharpe | 3 | 2 | 19 | 1 | 14 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Henry
22 RB
16 FPTS
|
D. Henry | 1 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Byard
31 FS
1 FPTS
|
K. Byard | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Lewis
33 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
R. Evans
54 ILB
|
R. Evans | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Byard
31 FS
|
K. Byard | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. Ryan
26 CB
|
L. Ryan | 5-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Simmons
98 DT
|
J. Simmons | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Butler
21 CB
|
M. Butler | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Woodyard
59 ILB
|
W. Woodyard | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Jackson
25 CB
|
A. Jackson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. Landry
58 LB
|