The nightcap of the annual NFL opening-week Monday Night Football doubleheader was billed by some as Jurrell Casey with his new team the Denver Broncos versus his old team the Tennessee Titans, where he spent nine seasons. And to see if he and the rest of the Denver defense, unfortunately without Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller, would have success stopping or at the very least slowing down 2019 Rushing Champion Derrick Henry.
Others, mainly Titans fans were anxious to see Jadeveon Clowney take the field defensively after signing last week after many thought any shot at signing the touted free agent edge rusher was lost.
The game also featured a pair of signal-callers in Drew Lock and Ryan Tannehill who were starting in Week 1, after beginning last season as backups, but each shined once they were given the reigns (going a combined 12-4 to finish the regular season, and Tannehill added two postseason victories as well), so hopes and expectations for both were high, coming into this matchup.
The teams went into the half tied 7-7. Similar to most of the Week 1 games, the first series for both teams were filled with delay of game calls, false starts, and dropped snaps.
The only scoring of the first half were touchdown passes to tight ends. Lock connected with Noah Fant, while Tannehill found MyCole Pruitt to even the score.
New Titans kicker Stephen Gostkowski continued the woes of the kicking game from last season, where the carousel of kickers only went 8-18 on field goal attempts. In the first half, he missed wide right on a 47-yard attempt and had another attempt blocked by the Broncos.
The second half saw Gostkowski miss on yet another field goal attempt this time wide left from 42 yards out. Tannehill found tight end, Jonnu Smith, for a touchdown strike a minute into the fourth quarter. Gostkowski’s dreadful debut continued as he missed the ensuing extra point, making the Titans lead 13-7.
Melvin Gordon scored from a yard out and a good point after giving the Broncos a 14-13 lead.
But Tannehill, Henry, and company got a chance for a game-winning drive with three minutes left to play. The team methodically drove down the field eating up clock at the same time. After Tannehill missed A.J. Brown from eight yards out on third down, to the chagrin of Titans’ fans coach Mike Vrabel sent Gostkowski out for a potential game-winner. He put it through the uprights from 25 yards out, giving the Titans the 16-14 victory.
Tannehill passed for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Drew Lock tallied 216 yards and a touchdown.
Derrick Henry rushed for 116 yards on 31 carries. Melvin Gordon meanwhile, ran for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Corey Davis led the Titans in receiving with seven receptions for 101 yards. The Broncos leading receiver was Fant who had five receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Highlights
🙌🏽 @Easymoney_81 🙌🏽
📺: Watch on ESPN or https://t.co/rc7YCXzPXg pic.twitter.com/YdMzLxvknT
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 15, 2020
TD cellies are litty, @Melvingordon25!#BudLightCelly x @budlight pic.twitter.com/RWWmNJnVq1
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 15, 2020
The Broncos lost running back Phillip Lindsay to a turf toe injury in the waning moments of the first half.
The Broncos travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in Week 2. The Titans host division rival the Jacksonville Jaguars in their home opener.
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Main Image Credit: Embed from Getty Images
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