Either which way you look at this titans giants classic there is certainly lots to talk about practically on either side of the ball
Kyle Phillips emerging, saqouns heroic bounce back, Randy bullocks critically missed kick, Tannehill’s good day, jones good day? Sterling Shepard caught a bomb crossing Fulton and leading for a TD? The crucial late-game interception by the titans in their end zone
In a crazy week, 1 full of dramatic wins, dramatic comebacks, and half a dozen upsets, the Giants and Titans kickoff game was certainly one of them, not the most notable. And yes kickoff weekend did result in a tie so that alone should speak for itself. In arguably the first time after heading into the 2nd week of the season the entire AFC south is winless.
The titans commanded the game for the majority of the first half. Dontre Hillard makes a beautiful touchdown grab to put the Titans up 7-0 in their first drive. He made a handful of solid plays in this game and showed most despite Henry having the keys to the kingdom he can have a few runs to give Henry some snaps off and can catch as well and even though Henry does as well he’s the bull pure down the middle back that isn’t expected to receive for 70. Both teams struggled with 3rd down conversations. The passing game was heavy and much wasn’t seen from Derrick Henry as usual. Tannehill was 10-10 early heavy in the passing game most likely wanting to get the young core involved in much. Although the titans never trailed until the final drive they were determined to get guys like Kyle Phillips who finished with 6 Rec and 66 yds.
Halftime
Randy Bullock nailed 2 as this early frame was a defensive battle. The Titans went into the half with a 13-0 lead feeling confident but if watching the first half the titans knew they should have had a 27-3 lead. Whatever conversation words of yelling or motivation that echoed the giants’ lockerroom at halftime assisted in the blazing 3rd quarter the team (giants scored on their first drive Brian Daboll showed gutsy ness going for a 2 point conversation trusting saqoun who was undoubtedly the star of the game. Kicking off a season that was desperately needed for the star RB whose ceiling is as high as the moon and yes the moon exists, fee running backs have experienced the no gravity the moon presents
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Dj playing music
Daniel Jones, on the chopping block, has never seen such a candidate. Jones comes into this season on the hottest seat in the league with constant fumbles, sacks, and interceptions. Practically anything that a quarterback can struggle with he has in the majority of his career. Jones did fumble and throw a costly Ed zone interception to Amani hooker (pass intended for saqoun) jones was sacked 5 times and fumbled once but if you witnessed the game he seemed in more control than the spreadsheet read. He finished with 188 yds a td and the lone end zone int.
The next play is an unlikely explosion.
Jones caught the titans’ secondary napping he laced up a bomb to sterling shepherd who was open due to Kristin Fulton’s poor field vision he came down with the catch, Fulton had a great opportunity to tackle and missed completely, Shepard took it to the land for a 65 yd TD pass and the giants tied it up. A few drives later the titans retaliated D Hillard caught his 2nd touchdown pass of the day to give the Titans a 20-13 lead. Perhaps the shocker is not only was Derrick Henry the 2nd beat running back he wasn’t talked about much if all in this game. He got his fair share of Carrie’s and didn’t have a bad game finished with 85yds but no end zone celebrations or break-out plays. The titans prioritized an extremely pass-heavy game. Tannehill calm 266 yds 2 TDS no sacks or turnovers. Robert woods invisible 1 Rec for 13 yds
Crunch time
Every minute every second it was saqouns game. With a minute left a 1 yd TD pass did the unthinkable down 13-0 the giants had scored a touchdown to make it 20-19 and the ball call of the game Daboll signals 2 fingers saqoun rushed in the giants conceal the 2 points and lead by 1.
Titanic sinking.
Tannehill has shown through his career he’s a great game manager he went down the field with the titans setting up Randy bullock with a 47yd field goal that would win the game. And to the shock of no one bullock continues to show his dreadful ways continue off the crossbar and for the first time in a 21-20 victory the giants are over 500 for the first time since 2016. They will head to g man land to host baker and the panthers with a realistic shot at a 2-0 record. The Titans will face the daunting task of traveling to Buffalo to take on captain Allen and the super bowl favorite bills. The giants will need the passing game to get more involved praying to not burn saqoun into the ground and the titans will get Henry going and expose their young core to a Lethal backfield.