By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans can enjoy some well deserved time off now after completing this week winning both at home and on the road. They followed Sunday’s 17-10 victory over the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium and Thursday night at historic Lambeau Field they had their best offensive performance of the season in defeating the Packers 7-3. It was Tennessee’s seventh win in its last eight games and they have a comfortable lead in the AFC South.
But more importantly for a Titans team that now has only seven games remaining, if they simply win the remainder of their division games they will have 10 victories. They are squarely in the mix for the best record in the AFC again, something no one would have thought possible after they began the season 0-2 and got blown out at Buffalo.
The Titans’ offense finally got some second half points. Derrick Henry rushed for 87 yards, and had both a rushing and his first passing touchdown of the season. The fourth quarter Titans touchdown was their first of the season. The Titans also may have finally begun opening up their passing game. Sunday it was Nick Westbrook-Ikhine who excelled in the victory. Thursday night it was rookie Treylon Burks, the first round draft choice who’s had some injury problems. Against the Packers, Burks had seven catches for 111 yards, including a 51-yard reception.
Defensively, the Titans held the Packers to 56 yards on the ground and 17 points, despite missing several key regulars. But one they didn’t miss was tackle Jeffery Simmons. On the final two big plays of the game, Simmons first sacked Aaron Rodgers, then stacked up a fourth and one rushing attempt, effectively ending the game.
The Titans now have a revenge game against the Bengals Nov. 27 at Nissan Stadium. The Bengals shocked the Titans in the AFC Playoffs at home last season, winning despite the Titans getting seven sacks. Many Titans have pointed to that game for weeks, and it should be quite interesting.
