The Tennessee Titans defeated the Green Bay Packers, 27-17. The Packers fell to 4-7, while the Titans improved to 7-3.
The Titans were first on the scoreboard on an 83-yard drive that ended with a Dontrell Hilliard touchdown reception from Ryan Tannehill. The Packers got their first points on a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Christian Watson. The extra point was blocked, leaving things at 7-6.
Derrick Henry’s touchdown rush just before halftime gave the Titans a 14-6 lead. Henry not only made an impact on the ground, but also showed off his skills in the middle, sending a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper.
The Packers came within three points thanks to another Watson touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. Soon after, the Giants responded with Hooper’s second touchdown of the night, this time to a toss from Tannehill.
The Titans sealed the win with a defensive stop on fourth and short, giving them the ball back with just over two minutes left in the game. They ran one play two minutes before the warning, a 51-yard pass to Treylon Burks that finalized an impressive victory.
Tannehill has now won its last five games, and the Titans have won seven of their last eight games.
Why did the titans win?
The Titans dominated most of the game and weren’t late once in a Friday Night Football game. They outsold the Packers in total first downs, total yards, passing yards, yards per game and time of possession. When you come out on top in a lot of categories offensively, that usually means you get to win too.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had a great game, going 22 of 27 with 333 yards and two touchdowns. He had one interception, but it didn’t change the rules of the game.
Derrick Henry was the other star of the game, totaling 87 yards on 28 carries with one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown (more on that in the “Play of the Game” section). This creative offense shut down the Packers defense.
Rookie Treylon Burks led the team in receiving with 111 yards on seven catches, including a 51-yard touchdown run to officially make the victory. Robert Woods was also effective in the air, amassing 69 yards on six receptions.
Why lost packages
The Packers have been playing behind the scenes the entire game and couldn’t do enough to catch up with a Titans team that is only getting better as the season goes on. The Giants came out looking rested and more prepared than the home team.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers went 24-of-39 with 227 yards and two touchdowns, but it was the missing wide receivers that baffled and damaged the most. The Titans don’t offer the toughest secondary to play against in the league, but the Packers make it look truly Good with their offensive struggles. Rodgers’ longest pass was a 28-yard throw to Randall Cobb.
The defense was unable to contain Tannehill, and even when he stopped him, the offense was unable to capitalize.
turning point
The Titans’ second touchdown, a four-yard rush from Henry, extended their lead before the half and gave them momentum as they entered the third quarter. The defense then held the Lakers for a field goal to open the second half. A three-point win is when Rodgers is walking down the field, even in a year when the Packers aren’t playing at his usual level.
Play the game
Henry is a great running back, but it turns out he’s a good midfielder, too. On second-and-goal, Henry got the ball, and it looked like he would do what he’s best at: a punch in the end zone. However, the crime had a trick up its sleeve. Henry threw the ball to Austin Hooper for a TD to extend the Titans’ lead. After the game, Henry complimented Hooper on the catch and noted that the play was thanks to coach Mike Vrabel and the offensive lineman.
What’s Next
The Titans will host the Cincinnati Bengals next week, who are going 5-4 this weekend. The Bengals are hoping wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase can make a comeback in Week 12 against Tennessee. Chase was sidelined with a hip injury.
The Packers head to Philadelphia to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Philly just lost their first game of the season, falling to the Washington Chiefs in Week 10. That puts them 8-1 going into the weekend and in first place in the NFC, as they owned the tiebreaker over the 8-1 Minnesota Vikings.
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