Jeff Fisher’s first game back at the stadium once known as Adelphia Coliseum started off the same way his last one did, with the Tennessee Titans scoring and moving the ball well early to take a multi-score lead by the end of the first quarter, and never threatening to relinquish that lead. Back in 2010, it was Fisher’s Titans that kicked a field goal late in the first half to make it a three touchdown game and walked away with a two score win. Tonight, it was Ken Whisenhunt’s Titans that did the same to Jeff Fisher’s Rams in the second preseason game for both teams.
The halftime score was 20-0, which mostly reflected how competitive the game was. The defense mostly dominated the Rams offense, harassing starter Nick Foles into a pick-6 to Perrish Cox on the first St. Louis possession and allowing only 84 yards in the first half. The Titans mostly controlled a questionable Rams line until the fourth quarter; only one sack, that late, but some good pressure and not much room for the ground attack. Watching live, it didn’t seem like there was a single player that stood out; rather, it was a team effort.
The first-string offense had some good moments but could only get 3 points in three possessions with Marcus Mariota in the game. Both punts came from at or inside the Rams 40, and but for a Dexter McCluster drop the Titans would have had 6 instead of 3 on the field goal drive. Marcus Mariota finished 5-8 for 59 yards and no sacks or turnovers. His best throw was a 35-yarder to Craig Stevens on a rollout; his worst, one that probably should have been picked by Rams safety Mark Barron. The new-look first team offensive line stayed in when Mariota left, and they helped take Zach Mettenberger down the field for a touchdown against St. Louis’ backups like they did against Atlanta’s backups with Mariota last week. Mettenberger had a second nice drive in the two minute drill to set up the field goal that made it 20-0. The second half was more humdrum, save a nice throw by fourth-string QB Alex Tanney to Chase Coffman to beat a blitz that Coffman was able to take 56 yards for his second score of the game.
A collection of player notes, all of them very preliminary and subject to revision after a detailed re-watch of the game:
- Mariota looked poised and composed. There were a couple plays, not just the near-pick, where I’m not sure I liked what he did, but both teams seemed to be trying a fair amount for a second preseason game.
- Bishop Sankey (6-45) had some really good runs early in the game. He attacked the hole decisively, showed a bit of burst, and some better power in his legs that also showed up on one of his runs last week. He was the best Titans back tonight.
- On both offense and defense, the Titans did a lot more personnel mixing. In the first preseason game, with so few snaps, players played, most in all situations, and then got out. Tonight, you saw more rotation of defensive linemen and wide receivers.
- This goes with the immediate previous point, but the Titans seemed quick to get third-stringers into the game tonight. I’d imagine this was because of the relatively quick turnaround to the Kansas City game, which will be more of the “dress rehearsal” type.
- The new first team like, with Byron Bell at left guard and Jeremiah Poutasi at right tackle, opened up those holes for Sankey and seemed to do a decent job protecting Mariota. Unless they didn’t, and I just didn’t see what I should have live.
- Dorial Green-Beckham was one of those players who was rotated in with the first teamers. He led the Titans with four grabs tonight.
- Marqueston Huff played some corner with the injuries there, and appeared to be beaten for an 80-yard touchdown.
- The third team sub package run defense stinks.
- Coty Sensabaugh flashed in run support.
- Justin Hunter’s only catch on three targets, for 1 yard, came on a wide receiver screen. Why you would throw a wide receiver screen to Justin Hunter escapes me.
- There’s a real chance the Rams stink and/or were just very tired after traveling to the west coast.
Plenty more on this game after that rewatch.
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