(01-08-2023, 03:14 PM)rfc17 Wrote: (01-08-2023, 04:45 AM)NewJagsCity Wrote: That being said, the tacks came up with the perfect game plan, and almost carried it out for a win. If our D doesn't pick off Dobbs, and then force the fumble, then likely we lose. Yes, they were more rested. Yes, they were better on D than our first mtg. Could they have won this with a healthy Tanneyhill? I believe so. I will never refuse a win over the loathsome tacks, but we better block for the run a whole lot better next game or we are looking at 1 and done. D saved us today.
What an incredible ending to the game and the regular season. On to the playoffs!!!
Agreed. That entire game was played on the Titans terms. If we had been able to jump out to an early lead, it could have been a blowout. But give it to the Titans, they forced us to play on their terms and we barely escaped. If you told them they would have jumped out to a 10-0 lead with 5 minutes left in the 1st half and we would have only had two drives at that point, that would have been as ideal a scenario as they could have come up with. A couple random thoughts...
I think many will disagree but I don't think Lawrence played a bad game. Wasn't close to his first game against Tennessee and wasn't great. But it's not like it was awful either. Those two bad missed touchdown passes (the one overthrow and then the underthrow to the pylon where it was almost a PI) where we had to settle for FGs are throws he had been making of late. And he needs to make for us to make a run in the playoffs. And felt like some of the missed opportunities early in the year. But other than those two plays which you can't excuse, he wasn't bad. The offense really sputtered in the 4th quarter but a lot of that was the Titans.
Which leads to my next thought. While the Titans defense really benefited from having the lead, they obviously completely shut down our running game. And it felt like at times they almost knew what our playcalls were. Seemed like everytime we had Lawrence roll out on a bootleg, there was a Titan player that had stayed at home who was able to put pressure on Lawrence and threw off the timing of the play. On the one drive with about 13 minutes left in game they sniffed out the screen and Lawrence had to throw it in the ground. And then obviously on our last actual drive, Scherff got abused. Gave up the sack on the first play. Looked like he was beat on the second play even though Lawrence connected with Engram. Their defense made us completely one dimensional, they were able to get pressure on Lawrence at times, and they prevented Lawrence from making throws on the run or even scrambling. I don't think he even had a carry.
Anyone else notice Corey Peters stuffing Henry on multiple runs? I barely knew the guy was even playing, and while hard to tell sometimes when at the game, but there were multiple replays on the jumbotron where I could have sworn he was the first one making contact with Henry and wrapping him up. Titans got Henry rolling a little bit. Was always chipping away allowing them short conversions. But Henry never had any big plays.
Still can't believe we won. On the fumble touchdown, if the Titans had actually converted that 3rd down, that might have been game over for us. They could have continued milking the clock, forcing us to use timeouts, and with the way their defense was rolling, not sure we could have moved the ball all the way down for a touchdown. (edit... also the guy Dobbs was throwing to on that 3rd down was wide open... pushed off so should have been clear offensive PI but I didnt see a flag on the ground)
This game seemed one of the few I could say Pederson was out coached. Their approach to the passing game-keeping most passes within 6-10 yards of the LOS-helped to minimize mistakes and frustrate the defense. I was livid when they got away with an obvious OPI to the left when they literally pancaked Tyson Campbell, but as an overall strategy, it was sound. Defensively, they shut down the run, kept Engram out of the game, and had pressure on Trevor Lawrence. It seemed to come from the inside in the first half and more from the outside in the second. Sherff struggled to the point of concern. That said, there were numerous times the receivers were open (Zay Jones in the end zone, Marvin Jones deep down the right sideline. Kirk at different times). If we can bolster our offensive line this offseason and bring in Ridley and he's the same guy physically before his suspension, we'll be very difficult for them to defend. Even if we can't run the ball on them, we'll have receivers who can get open. Ridley added, I don't think they could defend Engram the same way.
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
