MINNEAPOLIS – Titans receiver Kalif Raymond made two of the biggest plays of the game here on Sunday, but he pointed elsewhere for the credit.
Raymond, who caught two deep balls during a 100-yard plus day, credited quarterback Ryan Tannehill for putting the ball on the money. He praised the offensive line for giving Tannehill time to deliver it.
Raymond even shouted out Titans equipment manager Matt Thompson for working with him at all hours to help get him ready, including some 6:30 a.m. sessions this week when they played some pitch and catch at sun-up.
"You never know when your opportunity is going to come," Raymond said, "and the big thing is being able to capitalize on it. And a big part of the reason I was able to capitalize on it is Matt Thompson."
Raymond, of course, deserves some credit as well.
The 5-foot-8, 182-pound receiver from Holy Cross caught a 44-yard pass from Tannehill on the team's second offensive play to set up a Stephen Gostkowski field goal on the team's first drive.
Later in the contest, Raymond caught a 61-yard bomb from Tannehill to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Derrick Henry.
In the team's 31-30 win over the Vikings, Raymond caught three passes for a team-high 118 receiving yards.
And for the eighth time in franchise history, the Titans had a 300-yard passer (321 by Tannehill), a 100-yard rusher (119 by Henry) and a 100-yard receiver (Raymond).
"Those plays were huge," Tannehill said of Raymond. "Obviously the first one early in the game, double move on the outside, he ends up getting behind the corner and it was a huge play for us. That kind of got us going early, and then we needed something to get us going in the second half … and we called his number again and he was able to win over the top.
"He came up big for us just like he has multiple times in his time here."
Raymond, of course, again credited Tannehill for the tosses.
"That man works," Raymond said of Tannehill. "I'll tell you what, I try to get in before him in the morning and leave later and I never win. That man, he put enough work to make those throws and I am just happy to be on the receiving end."
Raymond, who made some big plays for the Titans down the stretch last year, registered his first career 100-yard game on Sunday.
Raymond produced the most receiving yards by a Titans player on three or fewer receptions since Dec. 5, 2004, when Drew -Bennett had 124 yards on three catches at Indianapolis. He also added a 30-yard kickoff return and two punt returns for five yards.
"What makes it so good is the fact that we won," Raymond said. "To go out there and contribute to a win, man, it makes the plane ride home a lot better. It is so good to contribute to the team, and to be a part of it. That's what I cherish the most."
