After finishing the season with a 9-7 overall record and up against one of the most historically dominant teams in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans were counted out as underdogs facing the New England Patriots on the road.
But they got the job done in Gillette Stadium, and will prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens next week after recording a 20-13 victory.
Here’s a look at five players who particularly stood out on the win.
1. RB Derrick Henry.
It’s easy to argue that the Titans wouldn’t have been able to advance without Henry’s efforts, as he became the first player will 200 scrimmage yards against a Patriots team coached by Bill Belichick in the playoffs and set the franchise record for scrimmage yards in a postseason contest.
And he did it all on his 26th birthday.
He finished out the evening with 34 carries for 182 yards and a touchdown. Henry also had a reception for 22 yards.
2. QB Ryan Tannehill.
The Titans offense hasn’t been the same in the best of ways since Tannehill became the starter in Week 7, and he continued to get the job done this week.
He did have one interception on a badly thrown pass that the Patriots ultimately failed to capitalize on, but looked calm and was effective even under high pressure against the league’s best defense.
He was 8-of-15 passing for 72 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The signal-caller also recorded four rushing attempts for 11 yards.
3. TE Anthony Firkser.
Firkser isn’t a name that’s widely talked about, but the tight end has come in clutch for the Titans several times between this season and the previous one.
He finished the game with two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown in, and was also the team’s leader in receiving yards, highlighting just how stagnant the Titans’ passing offense was on the night.
4. CB Logan Ryan.
Ryan had some missed opportunities this game, particularly on the play when he dropped what would have likely been an interception returned for a touchdown at the bottom of the first half.
But he totally redeemed himself at the end of the contest, intercepting Brady at the start of the Patriots’ last drive of the game and returning it for a touchdown.
Ryan finished out the game with six tackles to go with the pick-six.
5. LB Rashaan Evans.
The Titans’ goal line stand early on in the game proved to play a huge role in the overall outcome, forcing the Patriots to kick a field goal.
Evans was responsible for two big plays at the end of that drive, and led the defense with 10 tackles — six of which were solo.
