The Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans squared off within the final sport of Week 1, and issues maintain been predictably laborious-nosed and low-scoring — albeit thrilling within the waning minutes as Titans kicker Stephen Gostkowski redeemed himself with a sport-winning self-discipline aim. The laughingstock of the evening after four consecutive (one an additional level strive) overlooked kicks, Gostkowski sealed Tennessee’s 16-14 victory following a a hit comeback drive led by Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, who every had their moments on a aloof evening for both sides’ offenses. Drew Lock flashed early and commonly for the host Broncos, but Denver changed into shut out for two straight quarters and equipped too little, too gradual while battling a few injuries.
Take care of it locked correct type here, as we will be diving deeper into the AFC showdown with takeaways from Monday’s battle.
Why the Titans received
Skill to take drives on offense
It’s too easy to present Gostkowski credit score for this piece and he couldn’t be worthy. What essentially received the Titans the game changed into their capacity to dominate time of possession. Three out of the five Titans drives within the second half went for not lower than 12 performs and the game-winning drive changed into well-orchestrated by Tannehill. Henry had a pair of first downs by the air and on the ground and Corey Davis made a grab bewitch to boot. Cooly and calmly, the Titans marched down the self-discipline 83 yards on 12 performs to dwelling up Gostkowski for the game-winning self-discipline aim. Luckily, it changed into the one self-discipline aim he made all evening.
Why the Broncos misplaced
Lack of offense within the second half
Broncos followers could maybe also are seeking to level to the truth that head coach Vic Fangio opted to pass for it on 4th-and-aim on Tennessee’s one-yard line and fell quick within the second quarter, but in fact that they had a full diversified half to play, and they scored much less components than the Titans did. Let’s care for away that one touchdown drive Lock orchestrated. Rather then that nine-play, 75-yard drive, the Broncos acquired appropriate one first down within the second half prior to the Titans’ sport-winning self-discipline aim. Even after they had possession with four minutes left in Titans territory, they went three-and-out and ragged up appropriate one minute of clock — developing the Titans for the game-winning drive. The Titans undoubtedly weren’t offensive juggernauts within the second half, but neither maintain been the Broncos, and appropriate a pair extra first downs could maybe well maintain been one thing that put this sport away.
Turning level
Bad Michael Ojemudia. The rookie out of Iowa registered a pair of pass interference calls, but the very best one came when the Titans maintain been facing a 2nd-and-10 from their very procure 49-yard line on what would halt up being their sport-winning drive. Tannehill attempted to hit A.J. Brown deep when Ojemudia made contact with him, which gave Tennessee 16 free yards. With a recent dwelling of downs, the Titans entered self-discipline-aim territory and they weren’t finished but. Six performs later, Gostkowski hit the 25-yard self-discipline aim for the bewitch.
Play of the game
Right here’s the play Broncos followers will direct value them the game. Slack within the second half, Fangio opted to pass for it on 4th-and-aim. Lock tried to pull off a shovel pass to discover Jake Butt into the tip zone, and second-Twelve months defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons stuffed the play.
We knew this changed into a momentous play when it occurred, but we did not know appropriate how wide of a play this could maybe well be within the enormous draw of issues.
What’s subsequent
The Titans trek motivate to Nashville to care for on the Jacksonville Jaguars, who appropriate pulled off a courageous division bewitch in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener. As for the Broncos, they trek to Pittsburgh to care for on the Steelers, who defeated Daniel Jones and the Contemporary York Giants at some level of the first “Monday Night Football” sport this evening.
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That’ll attain it, of us. The Titans defend on for the 16-14 victory. Drew Lock flashed early on, but it undoubtedly changed into too little, too gradual. Credit score to Mike Vrabel’s squad for pulling out the gradual drive, working the clock after which trusting Stephen Gostkowski to attain by (fourth time’s the enchantment!). Tennessee changed into removed from ideal on this sport, but a bewitch is a bewitch.
Drew Lock, by the formula, has the arm energy and the center to fireside about a appropriate deep balls here. It’s not over moderately but.
Gostkowski makes the first of his four FG tries, and or not it’s miles the very best of the evening. Titans now lead this one 16-14. Broncos can maintain 17 seconds to take a look at out to create a crazy comeback.
The motive this sport changed into so conclude? Gostkowski. The motive the Titans received this sport? Gostkowski.
Oh man. Tannehill floats one to an launch A.J. Brown on third down within the red zone, but the two cannot connect. So it’s miles Stephen Gostkowski time, girls and gentleman. Can he redeem himself?
Derrick Henry will get some appropriate yardage on the launch air to pass the chains and take the clock ticking. Titans now on the level of the tip zone, and Mike Vrabel calls his first timeout with 30 seconds left. Both Tennessee and Denver could maybe well mild be extraordinarily careful managing the relief of the clock here. The Broncos, bear in mind, must discover the ball motivate if the Titans are twisted on — and attain — coming into the tip zone in preference to kicking one other FG.
All I will have about is that the Titans are inching against self-discipline aim territory. What if it comes down to Gostkowski to kick a sport winner?
Stephen Gostkowski proven pacing around on the printed. Clearly we cannot even start to fathom what’s going by his head correct type now, having already overlooked three FG tries. However in fact he could maybe also very well be wanted here. Beneath two minutes to pass. Titans utilizing into Broncos territory, down one level. Right here’s going to discover fascinating.
Drew Lock had DaeSean Hamilton streaking down the left aspect of the self-discipline, launch within the tip zone, on a third-and-eight bomb. Overthrew him by about a yards. That could maybe also’ve put the game away. Now the Titans maintain the ball motivate with but one other likelihood at redemption. Extra Corey Davis targets incoming?
That is the second drop from Jerry Jeudy tonight. That drop changed into the fundamental taking a peep where you’re going to perambulate prior to you valid the ball drop. Exhibits that, even within the NFL, the basics are fundamental.
Kareem Jackson guidelines Tannehill’s third-down pass to drive one other punt anyway. So it will be Denver’s ball one more time. And the formula they’ve been bright on the ground with Melvin Gordon, or not it’s potentially time to originate transferring in your seats, Titans followers. Gentle a superb deal of time left with the two-minute warning forward (and all three timeouts in Tennessee’s pocket). However who’s assured within the Titans’ wide-play offense correct type now? That is maybe what it will care for, unless Mike Vrabel’s protection can drive a wide turnover here.
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