ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Titans showed up on the Monday Night Football stage, and turned in a performance worthy of a bow.
After a shaky start, the Titans took over Monday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys.
When it was over, the Titans left with a 28-14 victory, which ended a three-game losing streak and started to build some momentum heading into the second half of the season. It came before 90,466 fans at AT&T Stadium.
"This game was of the utmost importance," Titans cornerback Logan Ryan said. "It was a 'got to have it,' it was 'desperation,' it was everything. We needed to win this game. It was one of those weeks where we had to do whatever it took to win, and we are happy to get it.
"I said it (coming in). I told the guys: It's a must win. We put ourselves in that position. We came in here and believed we could win and we played like that."
The Titans (4-4) face the New England Patriots on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
"I think all the wins in this league are great wins – they are difficult each week, and it's a great challenge to come in here on the road, in this environment, for us to play, our organization to play, on Monday Night Football and for a lot of guys to contribute to that win," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. "Hopefully we can get healthy in a hurry and we can move on to New England very quickly."
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota played well on center stage, throwing two touchdown passes and running for another. Mariota's nine-yard touchdown run with 4:38 gave the Titans a two-touchdown lead. Mariota completed 21-of-29 passes for 240 yards in the contest, with touchdown passes to running back Dion Lewis and tight end Jonnu Smith.
On offense, the Titans were 11-of-14 (79 percent) on third down in the contest. Lewis had another big day, rushing for a team-high 62 yards while also catching four passes for 60 yards.
In the second half, the Titans defense also turned up the pressure on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, recording five sacks. The Titans also stiffened up while defending running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Titans edge rusher Harold Landry had one of the team's five sacks. Wesley Woodyard, Brian Orakpo, Austin Johnson and Jayon Brown got in on the action as well.
"They always say: Sacks come in bunches," Landry said. "I feel like when one dude is eating, everybody starts eating and that's how it worked out. We were feeding off of one another's energy."
Things were bad before it got better for the Titans.
The Cowboys took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a four-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to receiver Amari Cooper, which came just 1:53 after a Titans turnover. The Titans gave the Cowboys good field position after Mariota fumbled while being sacked, and Dallas recovered the football at the Tennessee 15.
After another turnover, the Titans were on the verge of being buried early. That's when safety Kevin Byard stepped up and made a huge play – an interception in the end zone. He celebrated by running into the middle of the star at AT&T Stadium – reminiscent of a Terrell Owens celebration 18 years ago when he played for the 49ers, against the Cowboys.
"It's just something I thought about at the hotel, thinking about Monday night in Dallas," Byard said. "I was thinking, 'What can I do if I make a play?" And really just to show the team we are not scared. We are here to play ball, and here to win the game. I made the play and I ran straight to the 50-yard line."
The Titans responded with a beautiful scoring drive that was capped off with a one-yard touchdown run by running back Derrick Henry, which made it 7-7. Henry's run capped off a 15-play, 80-yard drive that took 8:55 off the clock.
After getting a stop on defense, the Titans put together another nice scoring drive led by Mariota, and it was capped off with an 18-yard touchdown pass to Lewis to give the Titans a 14-7 lead. Mariota connected with receiver Darius Jennings on a beautiful 36-yard completion on the drive, and he also found receiver Cameron Batson on another third down to extend the drive.
But the Cowboys tied the game just before halftime on a 23-yard pass from Prescott to receiver Allen Hurns, who got behind Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler to make it 14-14 at the half.
The Titans got another big play on defense in the third quarter, when Brown sacked Prescott, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Woodyard at the Dallas 40.
The Titans turned the turnover into points, capping a seven-play drive off with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to Smith with 5:44 left in the third quarter, which made it 21-14.
The Titans missed a golden opportunity for more points when kicker Ryan Succop missed a 28-yard field goal with 10:58 remaining, keeping the score 21-14.
But the Titans made the plays to win it late, including Mariota's touchdown run.
"It is special for sure," Mariota said. "Growing up, all you can really dream about is playing on Monday night. It was fun to be able to do that – we had a great atmosphere and we had a bunch of Titans fans in town. So it was quite enjoyable.
"And being able to get back to .500 was very important, and we have another one (against the Patriots) coming up."
The Tennessee Titans take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 of the 2018 season on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) works against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) works against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) works against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders perform before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Fans watch the field before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs against Tennessee Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) runs into the end zone as Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) fumbles the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee recovered the ball.(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs out of the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) works out of the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs out of the pocket against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (24) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs out of the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs as Tennessee Titans linebacker Nate Palmer (50) makes a block against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs out of the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher (2) attempts a field goal and reacts after missing the shot against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans nose tackle Austin Johnson (94) sacks Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs as Tennessee Titans linebacker Nate Palmer (50) makes a block against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) works against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) stretches for the ball as Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. The Tennessee Titans won 28-14. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, celebrates his touchdown run with team mates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) greets fans after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. The Tennessee Titans won 28-14. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) celebrates his sack on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs for a touchdown against Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (90) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Daniel Ross (93) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
The Tennessee Titans prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 of the 2018 season on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Photos: Donn Jones, AP)
Dallas Cowboys fans tail gait before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser (86) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans tight end MyCole Pruitt (85) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Tennessee Titans tight end Luke Stocker (88) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans, Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
