NASHVILLE – On this day, the Titans found a way.
A season marred with so much frustration got a dose of enjoyment – and relief – on Sunday at Nissan Stadium, as the Titans beat the Patriots 20-17 in overtime.
The game featured a wild finish, and an emotional head coach Brian Callahan in his post-game press conference.
"Man, what a definition of what we want our football team to look like and play like when things get tight," Callahan said after the game, when he fought back tears on several occasions. "A tremendous amount of resilience. I'm proud of those guys, and I love what we're made of in the locker room. We finally played long enough, hard enough and well enough to put ourselves in a position to win the game.
"I am proud of what those guys put out there, and how hard they fought."
It looked like the Titans would win it in regulation, after a six-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mason Rudolph to receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine gave the team a 17-10 lead with 4:27 left in the fourth quarter.
But the Patriots tied the game at 17-17 on the final play of the fourth quarter on a five-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drake Maye to running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
It forced overtime.
The Titans, however, didn't flinch.
Rudolph guided a 13-play, 72-yard drive after the Titans won the toss, and kicker Nick Folk hit a 25-yarder with 2:32 left in overtime to give the Titans the lead.
"I just told the guys before we went out: Mental toughness right here, that's all that counts," said Rudolph, who started for the third straight week in place of an injured Will Levis. "(I told them): We're going to overcome this, and we're going to do it together. Forget everything that happened.' And, that's hard to do as human beings. But I thought we all went out there with one goal in mind. … I couldn't be prouder of the guys."
When the Patriots got the ball in overtime, safety Amani Hooker intercepted Maye to seal the win.
It left Titans fans, players and coaches celebrating.
"We needed this a lot," Hooker said. "It's big. We had to get that feeling back of what it takes to win."
With the win, the Titans snapped a three-game losing streak, and the team improved to 2-6 on the season.
The Titans started well in this one, and, for a good stretch of the game, it seemed like they were in control.
The Titans outgained the Patriots 400 to 295 in total yards, and they held the ball 38:44 compared to 29:09 for the Patriots. Rudolph threw for 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while running back Tony Pollard ran for 128 yards on 28 carries.
Defensively, the Titans sacked Maye four times, and also forced three turnovers.
But this one came down to the very end.
The Titans got off to a good start.
Rudolph guided an eight-play, 75-yard drive on the team's opening possession, capping it off with a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nick Vannett to give the Titans a 7-0 lead.
The Titans had a great chance to extend their lead in the second quarter after an interception by Hooker gave Tennessee the ball at the New England 40-yard line.
But after the Titans drove the ball to the Patriots 3, a Rudolph pass went off the hands of tight end Chig Okonkwo as he approached the goal line, and it was intercepted by Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai in the end zone.
On their next possession, the Patriots cut the lead to 7-3 on a 52-yard field goal by kicker Joey Slye.
The Titans sputtered on offense the rest of the half, unable to take advantage of good field position on a number of drives.
At the start of the second half, the Patriots took their first lead of the day on a one-yard touchdown run by Stevenson, which capped off a 12-play, 70-yard drive. It gave New England a 10-7 lead at the 7:39 mark of the third quarter.
The Titans appeared to get a third down stop on the drive, but a facemask penalty on Titans cornerback Roger McCreary gave New England a first-and-goal, and they cashed it in for points.
The Titans answered back with a long scoring drive of their own, and Folk capped it off with a 21-yard field goal, to make it 10-10 with 34 seconds left in the third quarter. Westbrook-Ikhine and Tyler Boyd made key third down catches on the 14-play, 67-yard drive, which eventually stalled at the New England three-yard line.
It was 10-10 at the end of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Titans got a big play on defense.
Edge rusher Arden Key sacked Maye, and knocked the ball loose in the process. Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmoms then jumped on the fumble, at the New England 26-yard line.
Five plays later, Rudolph found Westbrook-Ikhine for the score.
But the Patriots scored on the final play of regulation to force overtime, and it set up a memorable finish.
"It's huge to win," Westbrook-Ikhine said. "I feel like this is a win that we needed, to come back from being down and taking the lead. We felt like we had the game, should have won it (in regulation), it didn't happen, but it didn't matter. I feel like it was huge for us to have a game like that where we were able to fight through it, and show some resiliency."
The Titans return to action next Sunday at the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Patriots in Week 9 at Nissan Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo By/111025001167//Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo By/111025001167//Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo By/111025001167//Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo By/00f6cd//Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByNate Sparks/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans arrive at Nissan Stadium for their Week 9 Game against the New England Patriots.
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots compete at Nissan Stadium on November 03, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
