The Bills came into Nashville’s Nissan Stadium with a 4-1 record, and having defeated the Chiefs in decisive fashion in Week 5. The Titans came into Monday night’s game with a 3-2 record, and though they’d beaten the Jaguars in Week 5, most people thought the Bills had this.
That’s why they play the games, of course. And with 22 seconds left in the game, and the Titans up 34-31, head coach Sean McDermott made the call to go for it on fourth-and-goal from the Tennessee three-yard line. Allen couldn’t get forward for either the first down or the touchdown, and that’s where the score stood.
Allen fell just short on the third-down conversion attempt on the previous play, despite a heroic effort to get the first down:
The EFFORT. @JoshAllenQB
📺: #BUFvsTEN on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/Vs5zpZtzd9 pic.twitter.com/gfUH2wvcbu— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2021
And then, Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons blew through the Bills’ offensive line to bring Allen down short of the goal line, and the Bills short of the win.
The Bills go for it on 4th down and the @Titans stop 'em! #Titans pic.twitter.com/1Uqz4mguSJ
— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2021
Allen was more effective as a passer, completing 35 of 47 passes for 353 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, but the Titans’ oft-maligned defense sacked Allen three times and pressured him ceaselessly. Buffalo’s usually outstanding defense had no answer for Titans running back Derrick Henry, who ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.
