Both teams are 0-2, coming off a rough 2 weeks more so on the Titans’ end of things. The Titans dropped a heartbreaker in week 1 and they were obliterated in week 2. The Raiders lost a close one with La and lost on a chaotic ot finish with the Cardinals
The Titans team that came out to play Sunday was drastically different than the one we saw last Monday. Well, on some aspects of the ball, they scored on their first 3 possessions and Ryan Tannehill looked like a laser testing site completion after completion accuracy at an all-time high. As per usual, the titans did a good job of stopping the Run as most running backs struggle to get anything against the Titan’s front. But it was Mack Hopkins who torched the Titan’s secondary as the Raider’s top player making some crucial catches SUNDAY finishing with 8 Rec 158 yds and a TD notably making an incredible 4th and 15 over the shoulder catch to keep the Raiders alive.
Taking the ball first the titans easily and steadily went down and scored a touchdown on their first drive l. Titans tight end Geoff swain caught a 2 yd TD pass from Tannehill to take an early 7-0 lead after a 7-minute drive.
Raider Ball
The Raider’s first drive took up five minutes they were able to muster a chip shot FG to get on the board. The Titans’ 2nd possession was the same story just a different character. This character was Derrick Henry who has looked like anything but himself this season. He rushed for 85 and a TD against the giants which isn’t terrible so let’s consider that a warm-up. Last week against Buffalo was arguably his worst career effort just 25yds and a TD. So while Derrick Henry has been able to punch it in the Endzone he has not impacted the way expected. But the setting was a bit different yesterday for Derrick. Not only did he have 82 on the ground he was able to bring in 3 receptions for 54 yds, pretty rare for Derrick considering he’s a power back not known for his catch game. One thing we have yet to see is Derrick’s breakthrough on the big play. He’s been stopped short on plenty of runs not getting many yds per carry
Adams On the board
The Raiders would not stay quiet for too long, Davante Adams caught a 5 yd TD pass on the Raiders the following drive however it was an extremely quiet day for Adams just 5 Rec for 36 yds Sunday titans tier one corner Kristian Fulton went into lockdown mode.
The Titans once again kept on rolling pushing as Tannehill pushed forward on a 1yd TD run to extend the Titan’s lead to 21-10. The first half ended with Randy bullock nailing a 48 yd FG to close the half and heading into the locker room with a 24-10 lead
Turning tides
Whatever Vudu or bad spell was cast upon the Titans at the half. My guess is as good as yours the Titans would not score for the rest of the game. With the third quarter having nothing to offer but Raiders fg the Titans wakes into the final 15 with a 24-13 lead. The final frame was more of the same of all. The Titan’s week one problem was that they came out firing in the 1st half and lost direction in the 2nd half. While the Titan’s defense held out most of the 4th quarter they once again gave up a 35 yd FG with 3 minutes left cutting it to 24-16. Now all the Raiders needed was a TD and 2 points and the Titans would find the devil knocking which they already did at this point.
Crunch time
Derek Carr had a chance to be a hero or the Raiders did for a matter of fact, the problem most notice is that Derek Carr can play a mistake-free game but he’ll throw an interception at the worst possible time an interception was thrown to Kevin Byard in the endzone earlier in the game. Mack Collins was able to come up big for the Raiders he caught a 9yd TD pass to cut the Titans’ lead to 24-22 and the Raiders were a 2 point away from a tie game after the Titans failed to put any kind of points up in the 2nd half after it blasting 24 in the 1st.
From pins and needles to a roaring ovation carr passes right down the middle! And it’s INCOMPLETE! Dodging a bullet would be an understatement for the titans who got their first win of the season
Takeaways
The Titan’s secondary is still a question mark. While byard and hooker command the back other secondary members continue to give up big plays
The team’s WR core isn’t what it should be. While Robert woods made a few nice plays, the core can barely work as a unit. The Titans are looking forward to getting Kyle Phillips back who had a good opening game but has missed the last 2 with injury
Sherlock Holmes couldn’t find the pass rush if he was given an assistant .regarded as one of the top pass rushes last year the pass rush had barely gotten to the quarterback outside of week 1. Todd downing continues his questionable play calling and the team continues to make costly penalties against themselves
The Titans will head to Indy to take on the colts in their first division matchup of the season
The Raiders will head back home to host the broncos still looking for their first win of the season heading into October.