After starting off the 2020 season quiet with zero catches through two games, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kalif Raymond exploded in the Week 3 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Raymond got the Titans’ offense going early, as his 44-yard reception on the team’s opening drive eventually led to three points. Then, in the third quarter with the Titans trailing, Raymond once again came up big, this time with a 61-yard catch that set the Titans up for a touchdown that gave them the lead.
In all, Raymond finished with a team-high 118 yards through the air on three catches, a performance he needed after being out-snapped and out-shined by fellow wideout Cameron Batson in Week 2.
While Raymond’s speed and route-running are big reasons why he was able to get open for two big gains, the Holy Cross product credits his offensive line for giving quarterback Ryan Tannehill the time to find him in the first place.
“I’m hoping I can do something for the offense every time I’m out there. The biggest part of getting open deep is getting the time, so a big credit goes to the offensive line,” Raymond said, per Terry McCormick of Titan Insider.
Tennessee’s offensive line deserves a ton of credit. After three games, the group upfront has allowed just three sacks and has kept the pocket mostly clean, which is a stark contrast from what went on at the beginning of last season.
And, as Raymond pointed out, that kind of solid protection allowed the Titans to make two big plays that had a huge impact on Sunday.
