The Tennessee Titans were able to extend their three-game winning streak to four, as they defeated the Oakland Raiders, 42-21 in Week 14. It looked like this game was going to be a shootout, as both teams combined for 550 yards of total offense in the first half. The Titans took control in the second half, however, thanks to a couple of defensive stands and a huge 46-yard scoop-and-score fumble recovery touchdown made by Titans linebacker Jayon Brown.
The Titans were unstoppable on offense, as they recorded 552 yards of offense. They had a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher, and a 100-yard receiver. Despite dealing with an injury, Derrick Henry powered through to rush for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He sat out most of the final quarter, and also missed the end of the first half. The star running back's health will be something to keep an eye on moving forward.
The Raiders certainly missed rookie running back Josh Jacobs. With him inactive due to a shoulder injury, Oakland rushed for just 97 yards. Derek Carr did all he could to keep the offense afloat, and he threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
Tennessee is now tied with the Houston Texans atop the AFC South, and the two teams face off twice in the next three weeks. Tannehill and Co. have set themselves up nicely for a chance at a playoff bid.
Why the Titans won
The Titans scored six touchdowns and punted just twice. It also appears as though the Titans have a dynamic trio on offense. Ryan Tannehill completed 21 of 27 passes for 391 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, Henry rushed for 103 yards and two scores and rookie wideout A.J. Brown caught five passes for 153 yards and two scores. The offense ran through these three guys on Sunday, and when they are hitting on all cylinders, this Titans team is going to be hard to stop. Tannehill is now 6-1 as a starter and Henry has rushed for over 100 yards in each of the past four contests. The Titans haven't had a big-play receiver in years, and it appears Brown is an answered prayer for this franchise. He should continue to be a big part of this offense moving forward, and this unit as a whole is dominating down the backstretch of the 2019 season.
Why the Raiders lost
Quite simply, the Raiders just couldn't keep up with the Titans when it came to putting up points. They were able to keep up with the 21 points the Titans scored in the first half, but a couple of three-and-outs and a turnover in the second half were their undoings. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, the game was out of reach. The Raiders certainly missed Jacobs, who is the one head coach Jon Gruden likes to run his offense through. Other than his production, the Raiders also missed his big-play ability. Every game, there have been times where he has been able to break loose for a big gain and it gave the Raiders momentum. Oakland's running backs were unable to break off big runs against the Titans, and Carr was forced to throw 34 times -- the most throwing attempts for him since Week 3.
Turning Point
The beginning of the third quarter was much different than how the first half went. The Titans and Raiders traded punts to begin the second half before Tennessee got back to its ways with a six-play, 89-yard drive that ended in Henry's second touchdown of the game. The Raiders needed to answer, but they went three-and-out for the second straight series. From there, the Titans engineered another long drive to extend the lead to 14. It quickly became apparent that Oakland would not be able to keep up with the high-powered Titans offense.
Play of the Game
It was a career day for Brown, and it all started with the play that gave the Titans their first lead of the game. On Tennessee's first play of the second quarter, Tannehill dropped back and scanned the field. He hooked up with Brown deep, who took it 91 yards for the touchdown. It was the longest pass of Tannehill's career and a touchdown that Brown will not soon forget.
Quotable
"Every time we touched it, we felt like we were going to score." - Tannehill said after the game.
What's next
The Titans face off against the Texans next week in Nashville to decide who will take first place in the AFC South. The two will also face off in Week 17. The Raiders host the Jacksonville Jaguars next week in what will be their last game in Oakland.
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