TITANS at COLTS
Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020
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What is it like to come out of this in first place in the AFC South after losing to the Colts two weeks ago?
"It was a big win for us. We knew coming in it was going to be a tough game. We have a ton of respect for this team and the way they like to play. We knew we were going to have to play a four-quarter game, come out, start fast and be able to finish strong. So, being able to start the game the way we did was huge, and we did enough down the stretch to seal it off."
How did today feel that you guys got off to a good start and executed in the first half?
"It was good. That's the way we like to play. We played physical. Derrick (Henry) was running his tail off. The o-line was getting a ton of movement, creating lanes up front. (We got) some big plays from A.J. (Brown) and Corey (Davis) and some other guys in the pass game. It was really a complete first half for us. There were still some plays we'd like to have back and do a little better, but I'm happy with the way we came out and played the first half. (We) took advantage of some situational football there at the end of the half, which was huge, and then obviously, did what we needed to do there in the second half."
On the play where you hit Corey Davis for a long completion on fourth down, was he the first read on that play and what was the mindset in the huddle?
"We were excited to have the opportunity to go for it. I didn't know what they were going to do in that situation. We came off the field and then re-evaluated, and then they sent us back out there. So, I was excited to have the opportunity to get it there. I knew we could take advantage of that situation. They did a good job of covering Firk (Anthony Firkser) on the outside. I saw Corey (Davis) out of the corner of my eye and was able to kind of reset and get it to him. It was really a heck of a catch by Corey. I wasn't sure where that safety was at, so I didn't quite get enough on it. But Corey made a huge play there, not only catching it, but being able to get up and get us down inside the one or two-yard line there."
Early on you guys were getting a good push up front with the offensive line. Did you get a sense it would be a good day on the ground? Why was this matchup with the Colts so different from the first meeting?
"It felt good. Any time the o-line is getting movement and getting Derrick (Henry) going, it's a good thing for the Titans. It's the way we like to play. I think we're at our best obviously, whenever Derrick is rolling. But if the o-line is consistently getting movement up front and Derrick's getting to the linebackers clean, that's when you're going to see big games out of Derrick and the run game. So it felt good early on, and they just kind of kept it going the whole game."
Can you talk us through A.J. Brown's 70-yard touchdown reception and does he make something hard look easy on crossing routes?
"Yeah, he's making it look extremely easy. Obviously, it's a difficult thing to do, but Coach (Mike) Vrabel says it all the time, 'Pros make the hard look easy.' And that's what A.J. (Brown) does. We had pressure there off the right side. I was hot, Nate (Davis) did a good job of slowing the rushers down just enough for me to be able to get that pass off. I got it to A.J. and he obviously did the rest. We know what kind of weapon A.J. is any time he has the ball in his hands and he showed it again today."
How were you guys able to get two consecutive road wins and on what does it mean to now have the division lead?
"We take it one week at a time. Obviously, that was a tough stretch there for us, but we just kept grinding away, kept trying to get better each and every practice, each and every day. We take advantage of the day and the opportunities that present themselves within every day of practice. Just keep building on every day and then obviously, we want to go out and play well on Sundays. So, we want to keep improving as the season gets into the last stretch here, keep improving each and every week and obviously, be playing at our best when we head into December. So, that's our mindset – go out and attack every week and find a way to come home with a win."
How helpful it is to have A.J. Brown and Corey Davis playing well at the same time and how much does that help the offense?
"Well, it's huge. Obviously, both of those guys are extremely talented and have been huge for us all year, so being able to have two weapons like that is huge. They can't key in on one guy, try to take away one guy. They have to honor both sides of the field. So I'm lucky and I call it a blessing to be able to share the field with those guys."
Where are you with your chemistry with A.J. Brown and Corey Davis and how hard is it to build on that?
"Yeah, it takes some time. I think last year we were still getting to know each other a little bit as I got in there. Confidence grew as the season went on. Obviously, being able to spend the offseason with training camp and everything working with those guys was huge, and I think our confidence has continued to grow throughout the season. They're both playing extremely well right now – playing fast, playing decisive and making plays on the football. I have a ton of confidence no matter what route they're running that they'll find a way to get open."
On the fourth-and-four, did you have to campaign to stay on the field? Also, how effective is it to make the defense think you're just trying to get them offsides and then snap the ball? Do you get them a little relaxed?
"I don't know. My mindset was take advantage of this snap and get this first down so we can go put this thing in the end zone. I'll have to go look at the tape to see if they were hesitant, but my mindset was make this play, continue this drive and ultimately finish with a touchdown. I wasn't campaigning on the sideline. I was honestly ticked off that we didn't convert on third down. I was pretty ticked about that, but Coach (Mike Vrabel) gave us another chance and we took advantage."
How has the team moved forward despite having a number of injuries throughout the season?
"I think it's our mindset. We have a ton of tough guys who put their bodies on the line each and every week. It's the way we like to play. We expect whoever is in there to go in and do their job. It's a next-man-up mentality. Obviously, you never want to see your buddies go down, your teammates go down, but if someone happens to go down, we have to have a next-man-up mentality and find a way to execute and move the football and score points. So that's been our mindset throughout this year and we hope to continue that."
Derrick Henry has surpassed 100 yards rushing in each of the last eight road games. How important is that for an offense?
"Well, it's huge. Obviously, everyone kind of knows the way we like to play. We like to establish the run game wherever we're at – home or away, and Derrick (Henry) is consistent. He does his thing no matter where we're at. He's a football player and a really good one at that. It's important to us and we want to keep it rolling."
