The Tennessee Titans just passed their biggest test of the season, including an injury report that grows after every game.
It can be called poise or resilience. Or you can fall back on the old saying that the next man must step up. But what certainly helps is having the best running back in the NFL, Derrick Henry, and a defense increasingly effective in stopping rivals in the red zone.
The Titans (4-2) have won two games in a row, including their 34-31 win over the Bills on Monday night, in front of their fans with a record entry and on national television. They scored 10 points in the final 15 minutes for their 13th fourth quarter or overtime comeback since 2018, the most in the NFL in that span.
“We don’t always have the best looking team, or the most glamorous, but we believe in ourselves and we play tough and rubbery (American) football and we love to win,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “We are going to try to find a way to do the same every week.”
But it was a costly win heading into a Sunday visit to Kansas City (3-3).
Rookie corner Caleb Farley (left knee) and wide receiver Cameron Batson (right knee) were placed on the disabled list Tuesday. Safety Brady Breeze was activated from the roster, leaving Tennessee with 17 players on that reserve.
“It will be a long process, but I am confident that he will be back stronger and better, but the injury is unfortunate,” coach Mike Vrabel said of Farley, his highest pick in the draft.
IT WORKS
The rushing attack is Henry, who leads the NFL with 783 rushing yards – 260 yards above his closest pursuer. He also has 10 touchdowns – five more than any other running back in the league. On Monday he rushed 143 yards off Buffalo’s defense, which came in third-best in the league, averaging 78.4 yards per game.
MISSING
The air attack. Julio Jones made a spectacular catch, and then his hamstring injury worsened. AJ Brown put up his best game of the season, with seven receptions in 9 times he was searched for 91 yards, all in the second half. It was a surprising performance, considering Brown was dehydrated with an upset stomach.