Ranking the Top 5 Titans plays at the Bye
After a frustrating start to the 2022 season, the Tennessee Titans (3-2) have found their way back to the top of the AFC South with a three game winning streak. While those wins haven't been pretty, the Titans have stepped up and made big plays in big moments over the course of their streak, something […]
After a frustrating start to the 2022 season, the Tennessee Titans (3-2) have found their way back to the top of the AFC South with a three game winning streak.
While those wins haven't been pretty, the Titans have stepped up and made big plays in big moments over the course of their streak, something they hope to continue after the Bye.
Without a Titans game to tune-in to this Sunday, it's a good time to look back at the top plays of the season that have propelled the Titans back into playoff contention. Here are my rankings for the Top 5 plays of the 2022 Titans season at the Bye Week:
5. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 62-yard reception (Week 5 @ Washington)
Week after week, the Titans offense had struggled to get points in the second half, large in part due to their lack of explosive plays and big-play weapons on offense.
With another deep-threat on the shelf in rookie WR Treylon Burks, an unlikely hero stepped up big in Washington.
Late in the third quarter with the Titans trailing by a field goal, Ryan Tannehill stepped up into the pocket and took a shot down field for wide receiver Nick Wesbtrook-Ikhine, who hauled in the pass for deep 62-yard completion.
The catch set up a Derrick Henry touchdown run, the first second half TD for the Titans since Week One, which would later be the game-winning score as the Titans held on to win 21-17.
4. Denico Autry late-game sack (Week 4 @ Indianapolis)
After a big-time performance against his former team, Titans DL Denico Autry put the icing on the cake with a late-game sack on Colts QB Matt Ryan.
The Titans had managed to let a large first-half lead slip away, and gave Indianapolis the ball back with a chance to drive and tie or win the game.
On 3rd down and long, Autry brought Ryan to the ground for an eight yard loss, forcing Indy to punt the football away, and ultimately allowing the Titans to run out the clock and secure a big road victory against their division rival.
Keep this one in mind as the AFC South race continues down the stretch
3. Derrick Henry 19-yard touchdown (Week 4 @ Indianapolis)
Speaking of that big first-half lead the Titans pulled out to in Indianapolis, it was Derrick Henry who set the tone and really got the offense rolling.
Henry's slow start and lack of explosive runs had been a growing story through the first few weeks of the season, but the Titans running back quickly shut that down with his play against the Colts in Week 4.
Returning to the site of his broken foot a year ago, Henry's 19-yard TD run was the ultimate tone-setter for the Titans offense and a strong reminder to the rest of the league that The King still reigns supreme.
2. Dylan Cole deflects two-point conversion (Week 3 vs. Raiders)
Next man up.
That's an essential part of Mike Vrabel's philosophy and the culture he has created in Tennessee. While dealing with injuries to some major players in 2022, that's exactly what the Titans have preached heading into every game.
No example has been better than Dylan Cole in Week 3.
Stepping in to replace an injured Zach Cunningham, Cole made the play of the day on the two-point conversion attempt by the Las Vegas Raiders with the game hanging the balance.
Cole got his hand on a pass from Derek Carr, thwarting off a would-be comeback by the Raiders and getting the Titans over the finish line on their first win of 2022.
1. David Long game-winning interception (Week 5 @ Washington)
The Titans goal line defense would once again stand tall in Washington, with LB David Long playing the hero after his interception of Carson Wentz sealed the game.
Facing a struggling opponent and heading into a bye week, winning in Washington was essential to the Titans morale and momentum the rest of the way.
A late pass-interference penalty against Kristian Fulton put the Commanders on 1st and Goal from the 2-yard line, and just when it seemed as if the Titans were going to go home losers, Long came through with the unquestioned biggest play of the season so far.
The diving interception put the Titans in sole possession of first place in the AFC South with an opportunity to get healthy over the Bye Week.
Honorable Mention
This run from Derrick Henry was his best of the season so far, but it did not count after being called back for a holding penalty on Burks.
Still, this was way too good not to look at again…
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
