Week 5 Recap: Buffalo Bills vs. Tennessee Titans

After a week full of speculation on if their Week 5 contest would be able to go, following an announcement by the league that the Tennessee Titans had passed all-league Covid-19 protocols, they played host to the red hot Buffalo Bills. Expected to be a back and forth affair between two teams who look to be in the thick of the AFC playoff race, the game failed to meet expectations as Tennessee defeated Buffalo 42-16. Finishing a perfect 4-4 in the red zone, Mike Vrabel’s team failed to display any rust after practicing only once over the last two weeks. Likewise, in an uncharacteristic night for a Sean McDermott led team, the Bills were plagued by costly turnovers and inopportune penalties that ultimately became too much to overcome down the stretch.

First Half

After a Tennessee win of the opening coin toss, Josh Allen and the Bills offense were first to take the field. Looking to continue his MVP caliber start to the season, Allen would fall victim to tough luck. After two straight run plays, a third-down pass to wide receiver Andre Roberts would end up popping up in the air and into the hands of Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler. Set up with excellent field position following the turnover, Ryan Tannehill and company would make quick work as a 17-yard touchdown strike to A.J.Brown would put Tennesee up 7-0.

However, Allen’s resilience and development were on full display again as the Bills would take the ensuing kickoff and drive the ball 94 yards, capped off by a two-yard touchdown scamper by Isaiah Mckenzie. Chewing up over six minutes of the clock during the drive, the team converted four third downs, before ultimately finding the back of the end zone. Following ensuing punts by both teams, the Titans became set up with solid field position to begin their third possession of the game. A long punt return by Tennessee punt returner Kalif Raymond would set his team up with first and ten at the opponents 30-yard line

Like their first possession of the contest, the Titans were once again able to make quick work of this possession as a 1-yard touchdown plunge by running back Derrick Henry gave them the lead at 14-7 with 13:54 to play in the first half. Moving the ball effectively again on their next drive, the Bills offense would ultimately stall deep inside Tennessee territory, forcing them to settle for a 43-yard field goal by Tyler Bass. Looking to close out the half strong, this time, it was Tannehill running it in from 10 yards out to close out a 78-yard scoring drive and give his team a 21-10 lead heading into the break.

Second Half

Orchestrating what they needed heading out of halftime, the Bills were able to force a Titans punt. Still trailing by 11 points, matters would only worsen for them on this night as a careless decision by Allen would set Butler up for his second interception of the contest. After an extended return, setting his team up inside Buffalo’s 20-yard line, Tannehill found tight end Jonnu Smith on a 4-yard passing play to give the Titans a commanding 28-10 lead. Although, with the game beginning to slip away from them, Allen led the Bills down the field to cut into the deficit, finding backup running back T.J. Yeldon for a 22-yard score. Spreading the ball around on this drive, he was able to find three different receivers before putting the ball over the goal line.

Looking to put the game away on their next two drives, a nine-yard touchdown run by Henry, followed by an 8-yard grab by Smith would put Tennesee up 42-16 to seal the victory. Converting key third downs to keep the drives alive on both of these possessions, Tannehill was able to use both his arm and his legs to stymie Leslie Frazier’s defense, ultimately finishing the night 21-28 for 195 yards and three touchdowns.

Looking to bounce back after their worst loss of the season, the Bills return home on a short week to battle the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night in Orchard Park. Riding high after their victory over a key AFC rival, the Titans will look for their fifth straight win next Sunday against their divisional rival Houston Texans.

Highlights

Welcome back, A.J. Brown! #Titans @brown1arthur

📺: #BUFvsTEN on CBS
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— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2020

Can't keep Derrick Henry out of the end zone. 💪 #Titans

📺: #BUFvsTEN on CBS
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— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2020

#Titans capitalize on the turnover with a TD to Jonnu Smith!

📺: #BUFvsTEN on CBS
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— NFL (@NFL) October 14, 2020

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