The Tennessee Titans were unable to clinch or be eliminated from postseason contention in Sunday’s game against the visiting New Orleans Saints, but didn’t make anything easier on themselves as they fell, 38-28 in the final home game of the year.
Next week, the Titans will look to bounce back as they face the Houston Texans for the second time of the season.
Here’s a look at just some players who stood out, and who might like to have a play or two back from today’s game.
Stud: WR Tajae Sharpe
A.J. Brown was practically a non-factor in the game, not reeling in his first reception until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
It was Sharpe who answered the call instead, catching five passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns. No wide receiver in the game accounted for more scoring receptions.
Dud: Offensive line
Tannehill was under more pressure than he should have been, as the Saints defense recorded five sacks on the signal-caller. The Titans are going to need to give Tannehill far more protection moving forward to allow the offense to get going.
Stud: OLB Derick Roberson
Roberson isn’t a usual face on the Titans’ active roster, but he certainly made his presence felt on Sunday.
The rookie led the team in sacks with two, and also registered a pair of tackles on the day. The Saints’ A.J. Klein was the only other player in the game to record the same sack total.
Dud: CB LeShaun Sims
It was Sims who had a bad missed tackle on a play that resulted in a 61-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to tight end Jared Cook. The Titans can’t allow big plays like this to give the opponent momentum, and that’s exactly what happened at that point as the Saints trailed just 14-10.
It wasn’t a terrible day for Sims overall, though, who finished the day with six tackles — five of which were solo.
Stud: QB Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill has been reliable for the Titans since taking over the starting position toward the beginning of the season, and that continued into Sunday.
Despite being taken down five times, Tannehill still did a solid job extending plays and evading pressure.
The passer was 17-of-27 passing for 272 yards and three touchdowns.
