The New Orleans Saints were in Nashville to take on the Titans on Sunday for the final game at Nissan Stadium this season. The Saints came in trying to keep pace for the No. 1 seed in the NFC while the Titans came in with the game having virtually no bearing on them making the playoffs or not.
Derrick Henry was inactive to rest his hamstring for next week’s game against the Texans.
The Titans got out to a quick 14-0 first-quarter lead as Ryan Tannehill connected with tight end Jonnu Smith for a 41-yard touchdown. After the Saints went three-and-out, wide receiver A.J. Brown took a handoff 49 yards for a score.
JONNUUUUUUUUU 🙌🏽@Easymoney_81 | #NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/aQMOCR4PFj
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 22, 2019
BIG. PLAY. AJ.@Brown1arthur | #NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/WzXKLLVUX9
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 22, 2019
A Will Lutz 47-yard field goal two minutes into the second quarter got the Saints on the scoreboard.
The Saints would add seven when Drew Brees found Jared Cook for a 61-yard catch and run as the tight end scored untouched.
Brees connects with Cook and AK ON THE BLOCK 💪 to let Cook take it to the house! #Saints pic.twitter.com/6ERV9htZ26
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019
Three plays into the second half, Saints running back Alvin Kamara scored on a 40-yard rush, giving his team their first lead as the scoreboard read 17-14.
HOT SOUP COMING THROUGH!!!! 🔥#Saints | @A_kamara6 pic.twitter.com/fiGjpEytok
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019
After the Saints’ defense forced a Titans punt, Kamara would score again, this time from a yard out, stretching the lead to 24-14.
Take away @A_kamara6's TD and he gets it right back! #Saints up 24-14#NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/yWGV9gc26C
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019
The Titans responded with a touchdown of their own as Tannehill found Tajae Sharpe from 36 yards out to bring them within three points: 24-21.
That's a Tajae TD! 🙌🏽
@Show19ine | #NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/SenNIJqUBH
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 22, 2019
Brees found Cook again for a 16-yard touchdown to put the Saints back in front by 10 points, 31-21.
He went to Jared 💍 #TOUCHDOWN @JaredCook89 | #Saints pic.twitter.com/rsNHaC4E2u
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019
Three drives later, Tannehill again found Sharpe, this time from seven yards away, cutting the score to 31-28.
Sky high! 🙌🏽
@Show19ine | #NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/KMt57wFSVx
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 22, 2019
The Titans’ defense forced a turnover on downs. Things were starting to look like a Tennessee upset was coming. However, six plays later, Brees found Michael Thomas for a two-yard touchdown pass, ultimately ending the game at 38-28.
He earned it back: TOUCHDOWN. CANT. GUARD. MIKE!#Saints | @CantGuardMike pic.twitter.com/9olK1V1oe0
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019
Takeaways
Saints
- Michael Thomas
One of the main focuses of the Saints’ offense this year has been Michael Thomas. This rang true on Sunday as he broke Marvin Harrison’s season reception record
⚜️144 ⚜️@CantGuardMike's record-breaking catch #Saints pic.twitter.com/lZpKfNxmhr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019
- Defense
The first thing you imagine when you think of this team is an explosive Drew Brees offense, but the defense also made plays when they needed them.
- Key turnover proves to be crucial
Late in the game, when the Titans had a chance to regain the lead, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson forced and recovered a fumble.
⚜️@CGJXXIII forces the fumble and recovers it: #SAINTS BALL! pic.twitter.com/otw8jAYtX9
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 22, 2019
Titans
- Running by committee
In the absence of Derrick Henry, running backs Dalin Dawkins, Dion Lewis and receiver A.J. Brown combined for 140 yards on the ground
- Able to get to Brees
The Titans’ defense sacked Drew Brees three times, including one by Jurrell Casey for his 50th career sack, but they also allowed three touchdown passes.
THE TATTED MONSTER! 🧟♂️
Jurrell Casey's 50th career sack. @Jurrellc | #NOvsTEN pic.twitter.com/ywjAGJSkzI
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 22, 2019
- Can’t contain Thomas
The main focus of this defense was containing the Saints’ Pro Bowl receiver. If that’s the case, it is harder than it looks, apparently.
The Saints take on the Panthers in Carolina in the regular-season finale next weekend. The Titans travel to Texans for a game flexed to 4:25 p.m. Eastern with their playoff hopes in their hands.
