MARCUS MARIOTA

The Baltimore Ravens defense has been one of the better fantasy football D/STs of the 2022 season. And while they haven't broken the 20-point threshold this season — their largest mark came in Week 11, 17 points against the Panthers — Baltimore has a chance to challenge its season-high in Week 16. [Week 16 Fantasy Rankings: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | FLEX | DST | Kickers]The Ravens will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, the fantasy football semifinals. With the Ravens trying to keep pace with the Bengals in the AFC North, they will need their defense to give the rookie a rude welcome in Week 16. Here's the defense position — check out the Ravens and how the rest of the D/STs landed in our analysts' rankings for Week 16:powered by FantasyProsECR ™ -

With 2:13 remaining in the Falcons' divisional matchup against the Saints, down three points, Ridder got the chance to be a hero. Approximately 130 game seconds later, Ridder learned what Falcons quarterbacks throughout the generations have learned: This team's cursed. Ridder targeted London 11 times for 70 yards over seven receptions, all of them crucial and six of them beneficial. Three of those losses were by six or fewer points, and Atlanta topped 17 points just once in that stretch. Ridder is slated to be under center for all three, and somehow, the Falcons could still reach the postseason.

Here's everything you need for the Falcons-Saints game, from the point spread, moneyline, total Over/Under and expert pick from Warren Sharp.

Rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder made it clear he will be ready to make his first career start in the NFL when the team kickoffs off in New Orleans on Sunday.

Gambling expert Warren Sharp analyzes the odds and gives you his sharpest edges for key games in the Week 15 NFL slate.

Pain strikes in Phoenix as the Arizona Cardinals quarterback, Kyler Murray has officially been diagnosed with a season ending knee injury. After seeing other impending playoff teams add depth this week, the pod speculates whether or not GMs are over OBJ’s games & if it would be worth signing him at this point given his health status. The NFC South is so bad that Charles McDonald is proposing that none of the teams should make the playoffs. All profits directly fund the Terez A. Paylor scholarship at Howard University. Under "Designation," click on "Other" and write in "Terez A. Paylor Scholarship."

Marcus Mariota is scheduled to have surgery on his knee, which will put the Atlanta Falcons quarterback on injured reserve, head coach Arthur Smith said.

Mariota will undergo knee surgery and be placed on Injured Reserve, Falcons coach Arthur Smith said Wednesday. Smith mentioned that possibility Monday, telling reporters Mariota might be placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. #Falcons QB Marcus Mariota is sent to have knee surgery next week and he'll go on IR today, coach Arthur Smith said. Marcus Mariota faces uncertain future with Falcons after benchingThe surgery could mark the end of Mariota's run with the Falcons. In 13 games with the Falcons, Mariota completed 61.3 percent of his passes for 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.

The Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday released running back Damien Williams, the veteran who never returned after a rib injury in his first game with the team. The release of Williams came one day after coach Arthur Smith announced rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder will start in Sunday's game at New Orleans. Marcus Mariota has been benched, leaving his status for the remainder of the season uncertain.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota has left the team with no indication of "when or if" he will return, according to The Athletic's Josh Kendall. That day, Smith also informed the press that Mariota wasn’t in the building that day because his wife went into labor with their first child. According to The Athletic, Smith informed Mariota that Ridder would be starting at quarterback on Thursday morning. Friday, the Falcons learned that Mariota planned to step away from the team. Smith told The Athletic that the Falcons believe the offense “can operate at full capacity” with him in the game.

The Atlanta Falcons officially made a quarterback switch. Third-round rookie Desmond Ridder will replace Marcus Mariota as the starting quarterback for the Falcons' Week 15 game against the New Orleans Saints, head coach Arthur Smith announced Monday. Falcons HC Arthur Smith officially announcing Desmond Ridder as the team’s new starting QB. His passing yards, passing touchdowns and competition percentage all rank in the bottom half of the league, while his nine interceptions are tied for seventh. Ridder might not save the Falcons' season, but starting him at least gives Atlanta a glimpse of his potential while the organization evaluates the roster before the 2023 offseason.

The Atlanta Falcons have taken the first step toward making sure their current rebuild goes as smoothly as possible — and possibly accelerating their return to the top of the NFC South. The pathway for the Falcons to fly back up to the top of the NFC South isn’t too daunting now that they’ve made the first step. It's a better outlook than any other NFC South team has. There's no reason why the Falcons can't end up being the best team in this division in the near future as the Buccaneers start to figure out their own quarterback issues. Top of the NFC South.

"There will be changes made. We've got to look at everything," Falcons head coach Arthur Smith said after Sunday's loss. Could QB Desmond Ridder replace Marcus Mariota?

Against the team of their late father Craig "Ironhead" Heyward, Connor Heyward scored his first NFL touchdown and older brother Cam was his usual dominant self, sacking Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota to set up the drive that ended in Connor's touchdown. "We got to share a moment with Dad, so I was pretty emotional when he got the touchdown," Cam Heyward said. Connor Heyward, a rookie out of Michigan State, scored on a 17-yard pass to put Pittsburgh up 13-3. In a bit of heartwarming synchronicity, Connor Heyward's first touchdown happened in almost the exact same way as his father's:This is really cool. Comparing Connor Heyward's first career TD catch to his father Craig Heyward's first one.

Drake London hasn't reached 50 receiving yards since Week 3, while Olamide Zaccheaus became the first Atlanta pass catcher to top 90 receiving yards all season last week. The Broncos are also allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, including the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game (12.2) to the position. His schedule eases up significantly Sunday, when the Browns get a Texans defense allowing the most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Chargers have been gashed for an NFL-high 5.4 YPC and the second-most EPA/rush while allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. That includes 120 last week to James Conner, who previously hadn't rushed for 70 yards in a game this season.

Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke continues to flourish as the team's starter, leading the team's offense to a 19-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Tampa's turnaround has a lot to do with stopping the run, which has a lot to do with DE Akiem Hicks. Plus, insights on the Saints, Falcons and Panthers.

Atlanta Falcons's Younghoe Koo hit a 53-yard field goal with less than two minutes left to play to defeat the Chicago Bears, 27-24, on Sunday.

Week 11 of the NFL continues Sunday with Dallas taking on Minnesota and Denver playing host to Las Vegas and more. Here are the top plays!

Week 11 of the NFL continues Sunday with Dallas taking on Minnesota and Denver playing host to Las Vegas and more. Here are the top plays!

Week 11 of the NFL continues Sunday with Dallas taking on Minnesota and Denver playing host to Las Vegas and more. Here are the top plays!

Week 11 of the NFL continues Sunday with Chicago, Washington, Baltimore, Detroit and more in action. Here are the top plays!

over the last three weeks, and Mariota has quietly gotten the sixth-most fantasy points per dropback this year, so he can be started Sunday. The Ravens are 13-point home favorites against a Panthers defense allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to running backs this season. The Broncos haven't allowed a 300-yard passer and have ceded the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. The Vikings have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends, so Schultz is an easy top-five option this week — and moving forward. This matchup has the highest total (52 points) of the week, and the Chiefs have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season.

The Carolina Panthers' defensive backfield took a hit in the team's Thursday night game. An Achilles injury will keep starter Donte Jackson sidelined for the rest of this season.

The 2022 offseason was not a fruitful one for NFL contenders looking for new starting quarterbacks. How it's going: Wilson hasn't resembled the star he was in Seattle and rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett hasn't helped with using so many shotgun formations. Where it's headed: Wilson is sticking around because of the big contract. How it's going: Wentz threw 10 TD passes, six interceptions and played through a broken finger at Chicago to snap the Commanders' losing streak. How it's going: Mayfield has been unproductive, going 1-4 as a starter and posting the league's worst QB rating.

The Carolina Panthers got their revenge on the Atlanta Falcons after their heartbreaking loss from two weeks ago, defeating their division rival at home, 25-15, on Thursday night.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (AP) — D’Onta Foreman carried 31 times for 130 yards and a touchdown, Laviska Shenault added a 41-yard burst to the end zone and the Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 25-15 on a rainy Thursday night. Marcus Mariota finished 19 of 30 for 186 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked five times and intercepted once. Younghoe Koo, who had made 71 straight extra points, missed his second PAT of the game to keep the margin at seven points. But Carolina's Marquis Haynes sacked Mariota twice and the Falcons turned the ball over on downs at their 15. The Panthers often stacked the box and sold out against the run, daring Mariota to beat them.

D’Onta Foreman carried 31 times for 130 yards and a touchdown, Laviska Shenault added a 41-yard burst to the end zone and the Carolina Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 25-15 on a rainy night.

A vast majority of the quarterback changes made in the offseason have not worked out for NFL contenders looking to stabilize the position and win right away.

For all the talk of how the NFL has become a passing league, the run game is having a bit of a renaissance in 2022.

Here's everything you need to know about Falcons-Panthers, from the point spread, moneyline, total Over/Under and expert pick from Sam Panayotovich.

The worst division in the NFL gets a prime-time matchup when the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons meet for the second time in less than two weeks on Thursday night.

FOX Bet Super 6 Sunday Challenge is a free-to-play contest where fans could win $100,000 after picking the winners of six marquee games and their margins of victory.

The Colts, Falcons, Commanders, Seahawks and Saints are Colin Cowherd's latest 'Blazin' 5' picks ahead of Week 9 NFL action.

The Bears rank 28th in run defense DVOA and have the highest run rate against them this season. This week the Bears face a pass-funnel Miami defense allowing the seventh-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. 1 ranked run defense in DVOA and now leads the NFL in avoided tackle rate. This week the Packers get a much different Lions defense yielding 5.1 YPC, 13 rushing touchdowns and the third-most fantasy points to running backs this season. Meanwhile, Buffalo's defense has allowed the fourth-lowest EPA/play and is bottom-five in fantasy points allowed to both quarterbacks and running backs this season.

The teams combined for three touchdowns in the final 3:06 of regulation before a silly penalty by the Panthers' D.J. With the Falcons up 34-28, Carolina (2-6) appeared to have won the game in stunning fashion when Moore hauled in a 62-yard touchdown heave from P.J. But Moore ripped off his helmet during a raucous celebration in the end zone, resulting in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. That pushed back the extra point to a 48-yard attempt, and Eddy Piñeiro pulled it left of the upright. Marcus Mariota, who threw three touchdown passes, ripped off a 30-yard run for the Falcons that set up Koo's game-winner with 1:55 left in the extra period.

The Atlanta Falcons were able to capitalize on the Carolina Panthers' missed opportunities in the final few minutes of the game to pick up the win.

Atlanta’s Younghoe Koo booted a 41-yard field goal in overtime after the Carolina Panthers missed a pair of kicks that could have won the game.

This week, the Jags get a Broncos defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks and the least EPA/pass this season. Expect Travis Etienne to carry Jacksonville's offense in London, with Lawrence failing to produce top-12 QB fantasy stats this week. Moreover, Dallas has ceded the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, and Khalil Herbert saw just one fewer opportunity than David Montgomery in a timeshare last week. New England should be focused coming off an embarrassing performance in primetime, so there's a good chance the Pats finish as the top fantasy defense in Week 8. That leaves Aiyuk, who quietly was among the leaders in expected fantasy points last week.

In keeping with spooky season, this week we offer a terrifying six pack of the scariest stats available. He's coming off a week in which he played a season-low 16 snaps and handled just four touches. This man found the end zone nine times last year and a league-leading 21 times the season before. 12.29 - This is Matthew Stafford's average weekly fantasy point total in Yahoo default settings, an atrocious number for any quarterback. Stafford is facing a weekend matchup with the Niners, a team that sacked him seven times and pick-six'd him in Week 4.

The first NFL window on Sunday in Week 7 wasn't particularly fantasy friendly. Burrow went bananas against the Falcons, chucking for 325 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone. Ja'Marr Chase broke the game for the second straight week (8-130-2) while Tyler Boyd added 8-155-1. The Falcons don't have a bye until Week 14, but Arthur Smith could use a timeout right now. In a year with more fantasy bricks than right answers, the Falcons look like another one of the wrong-answer teams.

Mariota has allowed the Falcons to add an extra ballcarrier into their run game. Falcons running back Caleb Huntley spoke glowingly on the impact that Mariota has had on the Falcons’ ability to run the ball in an interview with Yahoo Sports. When teams come out with two safeties deep to help protect themselves against Pitts and London, the Falcons are running it. Their run game is as diverse as they come with a healthy mix of zone and gap running schemes. Allgeier, like the rest of the Falcons offense, is a bruising running back that’s helped shoulder the load with Cordarrelle Patterson on injured reserve.

ATLANTA — (AP) — For Marcus Mariota, the loss of confidence was the biggest blow. Mariota knows how fortunate he is to even get a shot at starting again in the NFL. He was immediately handed the starting job and only heightened expectations by throwing four touchdowns passes in his very first game. “I felt like I was part of a good team, part of a good organization,” Mariota says now. If that happens, this could be his final chance to prove he's capable of starting for an NFL team.

For Marcus Mariota, the loss of confidence was the biggest blow.

Can we finally start Tony Pollard.

Still, Stefon Diggs was the WR2 and Allen was the QB3 this week (while hurdling hopeless defenders). Marques Valdes-Scantling had a touchdown catch called back by penalty, but at least JuJu Smith-Schuster finally had a big fantasy game with Kansas City. Baltimore Ravens @ New York GiantsDaniel Jones threw his first touchdown since Week 2 but also leads the NFL with four game-winning drives this season. The Rams entered Sunday getting the fewest yards per play in the NFL on offense and sporting the second-lowest pressure rate on defense. And to think, a new Call of Duty will be released this week, when Arizona is scheduled to play Thursday night.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw a little bit behind Deebo Samuel on his next-to-last possession, a fourth-and-2 from the Atlanta 19. The ball bounced off Samuel’s hands and fell to the ground with 2:18 remaining. Try as he might, Garoppolo couldn’t get the Niners’ offense on track in the second half, and San Francisco left Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 28-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

It's never too early to look toward your next matchup and a chance to bolster your fantasy football lineups. Here are three options to consider on the waiver wire ahead of Week 7. Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants (8% rostered)Robinson entered his rookie season with a bit of hype, but injury kept him off the field in the early goings of the season. And we definitely can't ignore Drake after his performance in Week 6. Drake rushed the ball 10 times for a whopping 119 yards and a touchdown, with another 8 yards through the air.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota had three touchdowns and propelled his team to a victory over the San Francisco 49ers, 28-14.

A person with directly knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press that the NFL did not give officials a directive to emphasize roughing-the-passer penalties following Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion, but the topic will be discussed next week when NFL owners meet in New York.

Leonard Fournette scored two TDs for the Bucs (3-2) on a 1-yard run and a 1-yard reception. A boy ran onto the field after Fournette's first TD and was tackled hard by a security guard at the opposite end of the field. A week after rushing for over 200 yards in a three-point victory over Cleveland, the Falcons were outgained 297 yards to 89 overall in the opening half. He was 14-of-25 passing for 147 yards and one TD without an interception, but he was also sacked five times for 37 yards in losses. Brady led a pair of 13-play drives — one covering 88 yards and the other 84 — to build a 10-0 lead on Fournette’s TD run and Ryan Succop’s 21-yard field.

Meet Me at the Logo is a series where Charles McDonald argues a take he’s passionate about after each week in the NFL. The more games that the Falcons play, the more it’s apparent that Mariota is a backup-caliber quarterback. There’s just a lot of potential going unrealized in the passing game. That’s right, third-round rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder should get a chance to start. There’s no reason to think that the Falcons’ run game would fall off by making Ridder the starting quarterback.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense was ... humbled in Week 4. Their D/ST currently ranks fourth in regards to fantasy scoring, but they finished last week ranked 30th. It's tough to do anything good as a fantasy defense when the team you represent gives up 41 points — and one punt all night — to the opposing team. That's why I expect the Tampa Bay D/ST to bounce back in the coming weeks. That's likely part of the reason why our fantasy football analysts have the TB D/ST ranked third among defensive options for Week 5.

This matchup has the highest over/under this week (51.5 points), and passing should be featured on both sides. Meanwhile, Las Vegas has ceded the second-fewest fantasy points to outside receivers (where Courtland Sutton has run 85% of his routes). 1 rush offense in DVOA, while Green Bay comes in with the last-ranked run defense. He's had a lower snap% than Jerick McKinnon every week, and Sunday the Chiefs face a stout Bucs run defense allowing the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. The Rams have an elite run defense, and Jimmy Garoppolo must figure out his struggles without star left tackle Trent Williams.

Our analysts reveal their boldest fantasy predictions for Week 4. This week, Chicago's ridiculous offense gets a date with the Giants D, a group that's been horrendous against the run. Herbert will see all the touches he can possibly handle this week; he's about to deliver an easy top-five positional finish. It doesn't always work out the way matchups appear, but this certainly sets up for a Jeudy smash week. In a surprisingly high-scoring fantasy game script, I see Mariota turning in a top-five quarterback performance.

We can't promise to fix all your fantasy issues, but we can offer a few potentially useful adds ahead of Week 4. Below you'll find a collection of approved pickups, all of them available in at least 50 percent of Yahoo leagues. Priority adds at running backKhalil Herbert, Chicago Bears (50% rostered)If Herbert happens to remain unattached in your league, it's time to finally correct that oversight. Last season, during a four-game stretch in which Montgomery was sidelined, Herbert averaged 97 scrimmage yards and 22 touches per week. Additional wide receivers to consider: Mack Hollins (we're three games into his season and he's already reached a career-high in receiving yards; he's no more than the No.

The Atlanta Falcons picked up their first win of the season thanks to Marcus Mariota and Drake London. Cordarrelle Patterson added 141 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons game was briefly delayed Sunday after a drone was spotted over Lumen Field. The game was paused for about eight minutes.

Matthew Stafford threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns, Jalen Ramsey intercepted a potential go-ahead touchdown pass in the end zone and the Los Angeles Rams held off a second-half rally attempt by the Atlanta Falcons for a 31-27 victory.

Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams will raise their Super Bowl banner Thursday night before kicking off the NFL season at home where they became the second straight team to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy in their own stadium.

Marcus Mariota led Atlanta to scores on two of his three drives in the Falcons’ 24-16 loss against mostly New York Jets backups.

Sleepless nights.

This year's quarterback class isn't as heralded as last year's or even next year's.

Baker Mayfield was once the No. 1 overall pick.

It was a 1-2 punch to the gut for Atlanta’s sports fans.

The Indianapolis Colts have acquired their new quarterback, Matt Ryan, in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.

An underwhelming free agent class for quarterbacks is overshadowed by the possibility of multiple big names changing teams.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing an eventful offseason following a second straight first-round playoff exit.

“I’m not going to say anything other than I’m optimistic, but I’m not a mind reader,” coach Jon Gruden said Thursday. “I just know he had an injury that caused him to miss the game last week and I’m respectful of that. If for some reason Carr can’t play, Marcus Mariota is in position to make his first start for the Raiders. S Erik Harris and DB Daryl Worley also are on the COVID-19 list. ... WR Henry Ruggs III returned to practice from the COVID-19 list and Gruden is hopeful he will play.

MIAMI (9-5) at LAS VEGAS (7-7)Saturday, 8:15 p.m. SPREAD - Dolphins 11-3; Raiders 7-7SERIES RECORD - Raiders lead 20-18-1LAST MEETING - Dolphins won at home vs. Raiders 28-20, Sept. 23, 2018LAST WEEK - Dolphins beat Patriots 22-12; Raiders lost to Chargers 30-27, OTAP PRO32 RANKING - Dolphins No. ... Las Vegas has allowed eight TDs on opponents' last 17 possessions that didn’t include a kneel-down. ... Fantasy tip: Las Vegas Pro Bowl TE Darren Waller has had at least 150 yards receiving in two of the past three weeks.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone from dreams of matching the perfect 1972 Miami Dolphins to searching for another win. After winning their first 11 games for the first time in franchise history, the Steelers were upset at home two weeks ago against Washington. The last team to start 11-0 and then lose three straight was the 1969 Rams in a 14-game season. The losing skid carried over to the playoffs with a 23-20 loss to Minnesota, a fate the Steelers would obviously like to avoid. Jackson leads the way with 828 yards rushing and seven TDs with Murray having 741 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry, right, embraces quarterback Justin Herbert (10) after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Las Vegas. Herbert scored on 1-yard plunge to give the Los Angeles Chargers a 30-27 overtime victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. The Chargers (5-9) snapped a nine-game losing streak against their AFC West counterparts, and snapped a three-game skid against the Raiders. Las Vegas (7-7) lost quarterback Derek Carr to a left groin injury in the first quarter. “It just shows the kind of player and football character he has,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said of Mariota.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) limps on the sidelines after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has left the game against the Los Angeles Chargers with a groin injury. Carr came up lame on a third-down scramble near the goal line in the first quarter for the Raiders on Thursday night. He missed the final game of the 2016 season and a playoff game that that season with a broken leg and one game in 2017 with a broken bone in his back. 2 overall pick in 2015 by Tennessee, took over for Carr on the next drive for the Raiders.

(AP Photo/John Froschauer)Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay has cleared concussion protocol and will play against the Los Angeles Chargers. Bears: WR Ted Ginn Jr., DB Duke Shelley, RB Artavis Pierce, OL Cody Whitehair, WR Riley Ridley, LB Trevis Gipson. Seahawks: RB Chris Carson, RB Carlos Hyde, DE Benson Mayowa, CB Ugo Amadi, SS Jamal Adams, CB Shaquill Griffin. ___LOS ANGELES RAMS AT MIAMIRams: RB Raymond Calais, OL Brian Allen, WR Trishton Jackson, TE Brycen Hopkins, DL A’Shawn Robinson. Dolphins: RB/WR Lynn Bowden Jr., RB Salvon Ahmed, FB Chandler Cox, CB Jamal Perry, RB Jordan Howard, DE Jason Strowbridge.

Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden said several of his players made a mistake when they didn’t wear masks or practice social distancing during a charity event that violated league and local COVID-19 rules. Players were seen on video without masks during the indoor event while talking and mingling with guests, who also weren’t wearing masks. “We’ve done a good job, done an excellent job,” Gruden said Wednesday. The Raiders opened the 21-day practice window for QB Marcus Mariota, who was placed on IR with a pectoral injury. QB DeShone Kizer was released from the practice squad and WR De’Mornay Pierson-El was signed to the practice squad.

This is the Titans' first 2-0 start since 2008, the most recent season this franchise won the AFC South. His final TD pass, a 14-yarder to Chris Thompson, tied it up at 30 with 7:25 left as the Jaguars (1-1) tried to snap their Music City skid. So the Titans turned to Tannehill, the quarterback who led the NFL in 2019 with a 117.5 passer rating. Tannehill opened the game finding a wide-open Jonnu Smith for 63 yards before hitting Smith for a 13-yard TD two plays later. Tannehill added a 9-yard TD pass to Corey Davis on the next drive and threw a 4-yarder to Smith late in the first half.

The Titans traded Casey to Denver this offseason in a salary dump, clearing $11 million in cap space by sending the five-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman to Denver for a seventh-round draft choice. Even with Casey on his side last year, Henry was stifled in a 16-0 loss at Denver, gaining just 28 yards on 15 carries. That was easily the low point in a season in which Henry ran for an NFL-best 1,540 yards. “Having a player of his caliber and his leadership not be out there with us is definitely going to be a blow to the team," Casey said. “He’s a game wrecker,” Henry said.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) passes against the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

8 pick in the 2012 draft has gone from being traded in March to preparing for his postseason debut with his second NFL team, the Tennessee Titans, after eight seasons and 100 games played. “He's a guy that's been doing it for a long, long time at a very high level,” Tannehill said. “I mean, the offense works well together with their strong running game and play-action passes, and he’s hit them. Really impressive offense and their system, very impressive.”Now comes the biggest test of Tannehill's career. He is 4-7 against New England and beat the Patriots in just his second season in the NFL in 2013.