Monday night football was another instant classic between the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee’s defense bent but didn’t break all night long in the red zone against Buffalo. On a fourth-and-1 with 22 seconds remaining in regulation, Jeffrey Simmons stuffed Josh Allen and the Titans upset the Bills 34-31.
This was a huge win for the Tennessee Titans. Does this win prove for Tennessee that they are legit Super Bowl Contenders in the AFC?
The Tennessee Titans are a legit football team who is well-coached by Mike Vrabel. The defense does have its concerns, but in order to win in this league, the defense needs to make stops in critical situations and they did last night.
Derrick Henry is the best running back in the NFL by a mile. He rushed for 143 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns. Henry scored the game-winning 13-yard touchdown with 3:10 in regulation remaining. He also busted a 76-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
This is a run-first football team no matter how sluggish or sharp quarterback Ryan Tannehill looks. Tannehill is the perfect quarterback for this offense. When he needs to make a key throw on a third or a fourth-down, he is usually on target and right on time.
For only the third time this season, this offense had Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, Julio Jones, and A.J. Brown played for a full game together. The Tennessee Titans offense is a championship-caliber offense with the talent they have.
Even though Todd Downing is the new offensive coordinator this season, the offense hasn’t looked as great at times but the identity remains the same. Arthur Smith was the offensive coordinator last season and he is the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
This was an excellent measuring stick game for the Tennessee Titans. Everyone wanted to write them off after losing to the New York Jets in overtime a few weeks ago, but hey that is the nature of the NFL.
Saying the Buffalo Bills are frauds after this football game is completely idiotic. Buffalo is one of the best teams in the NFL. Tennessee played like they belong with the big boys. The Tennessee Titans have high expectations just like the Buffalo Bills do.
I would not be surprised if these two football teams met each other again in the AFC Divisional Playoffs.
If this offense is going to be sharp week in and week out, they could be in the Super Bowl this season. I understand people want to point to the defensive struggles, but the defense is a lot better than it was last season. Their defense in the fourth quarter looks a lot sharper than you think it does.
Rookie cornerback Caleb Farley is out for the season with a torn ACL. He was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and this is a huge blow to this Tennessee defense here.
However, the Tennessee Titans go as Derrick Henry goes. That is not up for debate at all.
The next game for the Tennessee Titans (4-2) will be at home against the Kansas City Chiefs (3-3). If Tennessee can pull this one off against Kansas City, the Tennessee Titans better be in the conversation as one of the best teams in the AFC and the NFL.
The Buffalo Bills (4-2) will be on a bye week this upcoming week. Their next game will be against the Miami Dolphins (1-5) on Sunday, October 31st.
-Glenn Kaplan, 12oz Sports Contributor, Live Monday’s at 3 p.m. ET & Thursday at 11 a.m. ET on 12oz Sports
Photo Credit: Twitter @ryantannehill1
