Game Notes: Titans vs. Chargers

Oct 20, 2019 at 07:32 PM

TEAM NOTES – OFFENSE

· The 23-20 victory improved the Titans' all-time record at Nissan Stadium, including playoffs, to 94-73. It gave them 17 wins in their 23 most recent home games.

· In the second half, the offense engineered its longest drive of the season in terms of time and number of plays, going 14 plays (85 yards) in 7 minutes and 9 seconds. The series concluded with a five-yard touchdown pass. The team's longest previous possession of 2019 was a 13-play touchdown drive at Atlanta that took 6 minutes and 4 seconds.

· The Titans converted six of 11 attempts on third down. Their 54.5 percent rate on third down was their highest of 2019 and their highest since converting 63.6 percent (7-11) on third down against Jacksonville on Dec. 6, 2018. In the second half alone against the Chargers, the Titans converted six third downs on eight attempts (75.0 percent).

· The Titans totaled 403 net offensive yards, their highest total of the season and their highest since a 426-yard effort against Jacksonville on Dec. 6, 2018.

· The Titans scored touchdowns on all three of their red-zone possessions and both of their goal-to-go possessions.

TEAM NOTES – DEFENSE

· For the seventh consecutive game to begin the season, the Titans allowed 20 or fewer points. Since 1999, there has been only one other Titans squad that did not allow more than 20 points in any of their first seven games. The 2000 team accomplished the feat before allowing 21 points in its eighth contest. The Titans are one of only three NFL teams to hold opponents to 20 or fewer points every week in 2019. The others are the New England Patriots (six games through Oct. 20) and San Francisco 49ers (six games).

· The Titans defense helped win the game with a goal-line stand in the final minute. In a series that featured three replay reversals, the first two of which reversed Los Angeles touchdowns, the final review came after Chargers running back Melvin Gordon III was originally ruled down by contact at the one-yard line. Upon review, it was ruled that linebacker Wesley Woodyard forced a fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle Jurrell Casey in the end zone for a touchback, preserving the Titans victory.

· The Titans defense allowed the Chargers to total only 39 rushing yards, including 16 carries for 32 yards by running back Melvin Gordon III. It was the lowest total of the season by a Titans opponent and the lowest total by a Titans opponent since the Denver Broncos had 18 rushing yards on Dec. 11, 2016.

WR A.J. BROWN

· Tied for the team lead with six receptions for 64 yards. His six receptions were the most of his rookie season through seven weeks.

S KEVIN BYARD

· In the first quarter, credited with a pass breakup on fourth-and-two on a pass intended for tight end Hunter Henry.

· Recorded his first NFL reception in the first quarter. On a fake punt, he took a pass from Brett Kern and went 11 yards to convert a fourth-and-eight.

DT JURRELL CASEY

· Made a game-saving play with a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchback with 15 seconds remaining in the game. The fumble was forced by linebacker Wesley Woodyard on a rushing attempt by Melvin Gordon III. The play gave Casey a career-high two fumble recoveries in 2019 and five total career fumble recoveries.

WR COREY DAVIS

· Tied for the team lead with six receptions for a team-high 80 yards with one touchdown. It was the sixth-highest receiving yardage total of his career.

· Recorded an eight-yard touchdown reception in the final minute of the first half. It was his second touchdown reception of the season and his sixth career touchdown catch.

· In the fourth quarter, provided a 38-yard reception to convert a third down.

TE ANTHONY FIRKSER

· Recorded a 27-yard reception in the third quarter.

RB DERRICK HENRY

· Led the team with 90 rushing yards and one touchdown on 22 carries (4.1 avg.). It was his eighth performance in his last 11 games with at least 80 rushing yards.

· Added an 18-yard reception to give him 108 scrimmage yards, tying for the seventh-highest scrimmage yardage total of his career.

· Scored his fifth rushing touchdown on the season and his 27th career rushing touchdown on an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter. It was his 13th rushing touchdown in his past 12 games, which leads the NFL in that time period.

· On a six-yard run in the third quarter, he passed Chris Brown (2,757 career rushing yards) for 10th place on the franchise's all-time rushing list.

· On an eight-yard run in the fourth quarter, he passed Ronnie Coleman (2,769 career rushing yards) for ninth place on the franchise's all-time rushing list.

· Leads the NFL with 1,131 rushing yards in his last 12 games (since Week 13 of 2018).

P BRETT KERN

· Completed his first NFL passing attempt on a fake punt in the first quarter. On a fourth-and-eight, he threw the ball to Kevin Byard for 11 yards and a first down.

· Played in his 161st career game with the Titans to pass Ray Childress (160) for sixth place on the team's all-time career games played list.

· Pinned the Chargers on their own six-yard line with a 34-yard punt in the second quarter.

K CODY PARKEY

· Booted a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter on his first attempt as a member of the Titans. He also made two of three extra attempts on extra points.

CB LOGAN RYAN

· Appeared in his 100th career regular season NFL game.

WR TAJAÉ SHARPE

· Caught two passes for 19 yards and scored a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter on a five-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill. The touchdown reception came on third-and-goal. He notched his first touchdown of 2019 and the fifth touchdown of his career.

DL JEFFERY SIMMONS

· Made his NFL debut after spending the first six games of his rookie season on reserve/non-football injury. The first-round pick (19th overall) returned to the field after suffering a knee injury in February 2019.

· Recorded his first career sack in the third quarter. He dropped Philip Rivers for a three-yard loss to become the first Titans player with a sack in his first NFL game since defensive lineman Angelo Blackson at Tampa Bay on Sept. 13, 2015.

TE JONNU SMITH

· Set a new career high with 64 receiving yards on three receptions, topping his previous high of 63 yards at Houston on Nov. 26, 2018.

· Caught a 24-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill on the offense's first snap of the game.

· On a third-and-14 in the third quarter, took a short pass and went 35 yards for a first down.

QB RYAN TANNEHILL

· Earned a victory in his first start as a member of the Titans. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

· His 79.3 completion percentage set a career high for games with a minimum of 20 attempts. His completion percentage also qualified (minimum 20 attempts) as the 10th-best in franchise history.

· His 120.1 passer rating ranked 10th in his eight-year career (minimum 20 attempts).

· Completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Corey Davis in the final minute of the first half. In the fourth quarter, he completed a go-ahead touchdown pass on third-and-goal with a five-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Tajae Sharpe. His two touchdowns in the game gave him 125 career touchdown passes.

· Recorded his 17th career 300-yard passing game and his first since passing for 319 yards against the Cleveland Browns as a member of the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 25, 2016.

ILB WESLEY WOODYARD

· Made a game-saving play with a forced fumble at the goal line. On a play the Chargers ran from the one-yard line with 19 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, he knocked the ball free from running back Melvin Gordon III, and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey recovered it in the end zone for a touchback. The forced fumble was Woodyard's first of 2019 and the eighth of his career.