In 2015, then-Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey lost the Heisman Trophy race to Alabama’s Derrick Henry.
The Panthers and their dynamic running back hosted Henry’s Titans on Sunday for their first NFL meeting.
Coming in, the key for the Tennessee defense was to stop or limit McCaffrey, which sounds way simpler than it is, especially for the Titans’ defensive front that was without Pro Bowl defensive end Jurrell Casey.
McCaffrey, who has used that chip on his shoulder to be one the best running backs in football, would finish with 24 carries for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 58-yarder. He also had a receiving touchdown, which would lead his team to the 30-20 victory.
10/10 on this execution!!
@run__cmc | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/8scZ1DWGrj
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 3, 2019
CMC was hyped after this TD!
@run__cmc | #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/sSpYee4ZuL
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 3, 2019
Henry had 13 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. He, too, would add a receiving touchdown. His late-game opportunities were eliminated due to his team playing from behind.
Derrick Henry finds the end zone on the screen. #TENvsCAR pic.twitter.com/NGbwaKQ4wz
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 3, 2019
Seven straight @KingHenry_2 runs is what the doctor ordered. đź‘‘ #TENvsCAR pic.twitter.com/MSfcM7KRaw
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 3, 2019
Ryan Tannehill in his third start for the Titans finished with 331 yards plus a touchdown and two interceptions. He ran one in from 25 yards out for a score as well. The Carolina defense sacked him four times.
Kyle Allen ended the game with 232 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He was sacked three times by the Titans’ defense. The Titans’ defense which has been one of the better units in recent weeks, but they couldn’t stop Carolina offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s play-calling.
Panthers receiver D.J. Moore led all receivers with seven receptions for 101 yards while Titans rookie A.J. Brown led his team with four receptions for 81 yards.
Titans kicker Ryan Succop, in his first game since coming off injured reserve, missed all three of his field goal attempts, which has become a theme for Titans kickers this season, as Succop is the third different kicker they have employed.
Takeaways
- The Titans’ offensive line remains inconsistent, even a liability, regardless of who is under center, whether it’s leaving gaping holes for defenders to stop the play in the backfield or getting caught for a crucial penalty.
- Panthers linebacker Luke Keuchly is a smart player and is great at studying film. He knew what play was coming more often than not.
- Titans second-year linebacker Harold Landry had another sack and also added his first NFL interception.
The win puts the Panthers at 5-3 on the season. They travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Packers next week. The loss puts the Titans at 4-5 as they prepare to host the Chiefs next week.
Pair of RBs pic.twitter.com/DNZseGoIRR
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 3, 2019
