NASHVILLE, TN — After finally beginning to look like the Super Bowl contender that many predicted, the Tennessee Titans now prepare to open AFC South play Sunday with a positive outlook. That’s because they did something they seldom do last Sunday, play well on the West Coast. They rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to tie and then defeat in overtime the Seattle Seahawks on the road. In the process they evened their record at 1-1, and after two weeks join the Houston Texans as the only AFC South teams with victories.
The Titans also finally got their offense rolling, in the process avoiding starting the season 0-2 for the first time in nine years. They may have found a kicker in Randy Bullock. They promoted him from the practice squad and he made four of five attempts, including the game winner from 36 yards in overtime.
Plus, both Derrick Henry and Julio Jones played like the stars they’ve been in the past. Seattle shut Henry down in the first half, but he was a wrecking ball over the final 30 minutes. He scored both touchdowns that evened the game at 30 (three overall) and was a force both as a rusher and receiver. He had 35 carries for 182 yard and also had six receptions for 55. Jones had six catches for 128 yards, 102 of them in the first half. Now the Titans need to get A.J. Brown back in form. Brown had several drops, and one of his poorer games.
Defensively, the Titans did a lot of good things, particularly in the second half and overtime. But they also surrendered a pair of 60 + yard touchdowns. Russell Wilson had more than 300 yards passing. Still, when the game was on the line, the defense stopped the Seahawks and nearly trapped Wilson for a safety.
With the Colts coming to town, followed by a game with the lowly Jets, the Titans have a chance to take an early foothold in the AFC South. The Colts not only lost to the Rams at home Sunday, their starting QB Carson Wentz was injured late in the fourth quarter. His status for Sunday’s game was unknown at press time.
