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With superstar running back Derrick Henry out with a broken foot, the Titans chances of beating the powerhouse 7-1 Rams, in LA were slim to none. But when they needed it the most, the Tennessee defense came up clutch, with 5 sacks of Matthew Stafford, and 2 picks, including a pick six. The offense on the other hand wasn’t as good as usual, but they got key first downs when they needed it, and managed the clock well enough to get the dub, 28-16.
Game Recap
The Rams got the ball to start the game, and the Titans got them to punt. But Ryan Tannehill gave the ball right back, throwing an interception to star defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Los Angeles cashed in with a field goal to go up 3-0. The next three drives were 2 Tennessee punts, and one LA punt. Then Stafford was getting sacked in the end zone by Jeffery Simmons, and he threw the ball in the air to avoid the safety…
Photo: George Walker IV / Tennessean
But David Long Jr caught the ball, and returned it to the Rams 2, setting up the Titans for a Tannehill to Geoff Swaim TD, to put Tennessee up 7-3. The Rams got the ball back, and on their first play, Stafford threw a pick to the Mayor of Murfreesboro himself, Kevin Byard.
Photo: Ashley Landis / Associated Press
The All-Pro safety took care of the rest, and returned it for the TD, making the Tennessee lead 14-3. The Rams punted, giving the ball back to the Titans, and they had a long and dominant drive, ending on 4th and goal from the one, with Ryan Tannehill strolling into the endzone for 6, untouched. 21-3, Tennessee. Los Angeles was kept under wraps again by the Titans D, as they punted the ball away for the 4 time in the half. The Titans tried to get points before halftime, but time ran out.
The Titans got the ball to start the 2nd half, and punted, giving the Rams a chance to gain momentum, but the Tennessee defense said no way. They forced LA to settle for a 22-yard Matt Gay field goal, to cut the lead to 21-6. The Titans then had another three and out, which gave the Rams another chance to shift the momentum, but they were stopped and had to settle for a 54-yarder, to make the lead 21-9, Tennessee. After the Titans punted, and LA gave up the ball on downs, the good guys iced the game, with an Adrian Peterson touchdown run, to extend the lead to 28-9. The Rams got their first and only TD of the game with just 24 seconds left to make the score look good, at 28-16. The receiver was former Patriots running back Sony Michel! Final: Titans (7-2) 28, Rams (7-2) 16.
My Thoughts
The offense wasn’t very explosive, but they made plays when we needed it the most.
The defense came to play. In 2 of the last 3 games, they’ve allowed 3 points to the Chiefs and 16 to LA.
Kevin Byard is back. He has been on a tear, and looks like his old self. He helps the defense a lot.
Brett Kern looked great punting. After starting the year on IR, the Pro Bowl punter had some great punts this week.
Top Fantasy Performer
This week’s top fantasy performer goes to, drumroll, please……… The Titans defense, with 16.00 points. I think that they could be a good streaming defense for players with bad defenses, as they have 1 more game vs. the Jags, and 2 more vs. the Texans.
Photo: Harry How / Getty Images
MVP, Improvement, Breakout, What’s Next
My MVP of the game goes to the Titans defense. They shut down one of the best offenses in the league, and they look like they’re coming together. My improvement goes to the Titans offensive line. Tannehill was constantly under pressure, and that has to stop now. My breakout for next game is Rashaan Evans. The linebacker has missed the last two games with an ankle injury, and when he comes back, the run defense will get a big boost. Next week Tennessee will play host to the Jameis-less Saints, while the Rams travel to the Bay to take on the 49ers on Monday Night.