Moss upstages Taylor's return in Colts' 23-16 victory over Titans. Richardson injures shoulder
Zack Moss upstaged the return of Jonathan Taylor by running for a career-high 165 yards and two scores and Gardner Minshew was sharp in relief of the injured Anthony Richardson to lead the Indianapolis Colts past the Tennessee Titans 23-16.
Mahomes helps Chiefs rally past Titans 20-17 in overtime
Patrick Mahomes ran for the tying touchdown and 2-point conversion late in the fourth quarter, Harrison Butker atoned for two earlier misses by kicking the go-ahead field goal in overtime, and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Tennessee Titans 20-17.
WR Corey Davis came to Jets with belief Darnold 'is the guy'
(AP Photo/Brett Carlsen, File)NEW YORK โ Intrigue and uncertainty have surrounded the New York Jets' quarterback situation all offseason. โIโm coming in with my understanding that Sam is the guy,โ Davis said during a video conference call. 3 overall pick in 2018, has struggled with inconsistency and injuries during his three seasons with the Jets. โHe's the right guy to come in here and turn things around,โ Davis said. ... New York signed LB Del'Shawn Phillips, who played in two games last season for Buffalo.
Tom Brady has denied 27 QBs in unparalleled playoff success
Brady is shooting for his seventh ring when he leads the Buccaneers (14-5) against the reigning champion Chiefs (16-2) in Super Bowl 55 on Sunday. Brady's postseason record includes a 33-11 mark, 14 conference championship appearances and 10 trips to the Super Bowl. If the Bucs dethrone the champs, Mahomes would become the sixth quarterback Brady has beaten multiple times in the playoffs. Although heโs not showing his age, 43, Brady will be the oldest to play in a Super Bowl, displacing Colts kicker Matt Stover, who was 42 in Super Bowl 44. Unlike Warner, he wasn't going to get ahead of himself and talk about anything but the Super Bowl title in front of him.
EXPLAINER: A look at the data behind NFL decision making
โYou can make a very good decision and have a bad result and you can make a bad decision and have a good result,โ said Frank Frigo, the co-founder of EdjSports, a data company that has created its own customizable model for decision making in the NFL. HOW FIGURE OUTThere are several models for decision making and they typically agree on most calls, although there are slight differences. Calls that increase win probability are good and those that decrease it are bad. That decision cost Cleveland 5 percentage points in EdjSportsโ win probability. That decision cost the Titans 13.7 percentage points in win probability.
Falcons pick Titans offensive coordinator Smith as new coach
FILE - Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instructs his players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn., in this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, file photo. The New York Jets interviewed Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, for their head coaching vacancy. Atlanta agreed to terms with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Friday to become the team's head coach. Smith has served on Tennessee's staff for 10 seasons, including two as offensive coordinator. He also was an offensive assistant/quality control coach (2012), offensive line/tight ends assistant (2013) and assistant tight ends coach (2014-15).
Lamar winless no more, leads Ravens to 20-13 win over Titans
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson celebrates after the Ravens beat the Tennessee Titans in an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Lamar Jackson finally has his first postseason victory โ and on the road, no less. Combine that with Baltimore smothering 2,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry, and the Ravens look playoff tough. After the turnover, the Ravens came onto the field and started waving good-bye to the Titans โ drawing a taunting penalty they didn't mind at all. โWe won the division, hosted a home playoff game,โ Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. The Ravens held Tennessee to minus-7 yards in the second quarter, the third fewest in any quarter of a playoff game since the 2000 season.
The Latest: Browns open 28-0 lead over Steelers
The Browns have raced to a 28-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Brownsโ 28 points are the most by any team in the first quarter of a playoff game since the 1970 merger. So, this will be the first NFL playoff game ever pitting two quadragenarian quarterbacks. Drew Brees is trying to join Brett Favre and Tom Brady as quarterbacks to win a playoff game after turning 40. That was his third career playoff game with 150 or more rushing yards, one game shy of Hall of Famer Terrell Davisโ record.
Mahomes leads champion Chiefs to 14-2 mark in stacked AFC
While the Chiefs get another weekโs rest, the six other AFC playoff teams get going this weekend. For just the second time since the 1970 league merger, every team in the AFC playoffs has at least 11 wins. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 54, 31-20 over the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 2, 2020, at Miami. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 43, 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Feb. 1, 2009, at Tampa, Florida. Their pass rush is nearly nonexistent with 19 sacks, the fewest by a playoff team since Denver had 19 in 1979.
Henry passes 2K, Titans beat Texans 41-38 on late field goal
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) breaks away from Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu (94) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)HOUSTON โ The Tennessee Titans won the AFC South on Sunday. All it took was Derrick Henry surpassing 2,000 yards rushing and rookie Sam Slomanโs 37-yard field goal that bounced off the upright and through for a 41-38 victory over the Houston Texans. The Titans then capped a long drive with a 5-yard TD run by Ryan Tannehill with less than two minutes remaining. Henry had put the Titans on top 10-3 when he dashed 52 yards early in the second quarter.
Derrick Henry becomes 8th player with 2,000 yards rushing
Henry, who entered the game with 1,777 yards rushing, reached the mark on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter. Heโs the first player to top 2,000 yards since Adrian Peterson had 2,097 in 2012. Henry added a 4-yard run on Tennessee's last drive and finished the season with a franchise-record 2,027 yards rushing. Another long run, this one for 45 yards later in the third quarter, put him at 201 yards rushing for the day. He had 212 yards rushing in a Week 6 win against Houston and piled up 211 yards rushing in last yearโs regular-season finale.
Adams shines in snow as Packers trounce Titans 40-14
The Green Bay Packers teammates would love the opportunity to produce plenty of similar scenes next month by staying home throughout the NFC playoffs. Rodgers threw four touchdown passes as the Packers trounced the Tennessee Titans 40-14 for their fifth consecutive victory Sunday night. I think we proved that tonight.โPlaying in the cold at Green Bay is tough for road teams, anyway. With snow falling throughout the first half and continuing to cover much of the field the rest of the game, Green Bay moved the ball at will all night. Green Bay pulled ahead 19-0 when Rodgers threw touchdown passes on each of their first three possessions.
The Latest: Bucs lose Davis to groin injury against Falcons
He made the announcement in an Instagram post (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)The Latest on Week 15 in the NFL (all times EST):___2:55 p.m. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost Carlton Davis to a groin injury. Davis, who leads Tampa Bay with four interceptions, was ruled out for the rest of the game against the Atlanta Falcons early in the second half. Okwara sacked Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the end zone with 3:31 left in the second quarter. ___2:25 p.m.New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has left the game at Miami in the second quarter with a right leg injury.
Henry runs wild, Titans hand Jags 12th straight loss, 31-10
Enjoying a big performance about 25 miles from his hometown of Yulee was something new for Henry. He managed just 13 yards as a rookie in 2016, followed by outings of 92, 57 and 44 yards in front of friends and family. Henry had 170 yards on 17 carries in the first 30 minutes, including a 36-yard touchdown run. He added a 47-yard scamper early in the third as the Titans (9-4) started to pull away. AFC South-leading Tennessee clinched its fifth consecutive winning season and moved a step closer to securing a playoff berth.
Titans vs. Jaguars: How to watch, stream, listen
TENNESSEE (8-4) at JACKSONVILLE (1-11)Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS (Not in Orlando market)OPENING LINE โ Titans by 7 ยฝRECORD VS. SPREAD โ Titans 5-7; Jaguars 6-6SERIES RECORD โ Titans lead 31-21LAST MEETING โ Titans beat Jaguars 33-30 on Sept. 20 at TennesseeLAST WEEK โ Titans lost to Browns 41-35; Jaguars lost at Vikings 27-24, OTHow can you listen to the game? TITANS DEFENSE โ OVERALL (25), RUSH (16), PASS (28). JAGUARS OFFENSE โ OVERALL (24), RUSH (22), PASS (20). He needs 32 against the Titans to become the leagueโs first undrafted rookie to reach 1,000 yards rushing through the first 14 weeks of a season.
Mayfield throws 4 TDs in 1st half, Browns beat Titans 41-35
The Browns had their best-scoring half ever, leading 38-7 at halftime, topping the 35 points scored in the second half at Cincinnati in 2004. The Titans made it interesting late, outscoring the Browns 28-3 in the second half. Mayfield became the first Browns quarterback to throw four TDs in the first half since Hall of Famer Otto Graham in 1951. Thatโs the guy that the Cleveland Browns know who he is. Tennessee opened the second half scoring back-to-back touchdowns within the first six minutes.
AFC features plenty of star power even without Tom Brady
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)The AFC doesnโt lack for drama or star power even though Tom Brady has taken his talents to Davis Beach. WEST: The Chiefs (8-1) are still the class of the conference despite a hiccup against the resurgent Raiders (5-3), who won 40-32 at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 11. Mahomes became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to reach 100 TD passes, doing it in 40 games, four fewer than Dan Marino. The Broncos (3-5) have been waylaid by injuries and COVID-19 opt-outs, exposures and infections and Drew Lock went 45 drives without a TD pass.
From season-altering to bizarre, injuries hit NFL yet again
From the season-altering (Dak Prescott, Barkley) to the bizarre (Tyrod Taylor, Trent Brown), injuries are playing their traditionally significant role in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)ARLINGTON, Texas โ From the season-altering to the bizarre, injuries are playing their traditionally significant role in the NFL. Brown also recently went back on the COVID-19 list, a newcomer among potential ailments with the NFL playing during a pandemic. Few teams have had the volume of injuries that have hit defending NFC champion San Francisco. New Orleans' star receiver, Michael Thomas, has had a tumultuous season in part because of ankle and hamstring injuries.
Steelers dominate early, hold off Titans for 27-24 win
Benny Snell Jr. added a 1-yard TD run, and Ray-Ray McCloud set up a touchdown with a 57-yard punt return. Pittsburgh scored at least 26 points for a sixth straight game to tie a stretch in 2015 for the longest in franchise history. Pittsburgh dominated early with a 161-1 edge in total offense before the Titans' second offensive possession. Roethlisberger and the Steelers scored a touchdown on their opening drive for the first time in 23 games, going 75 yards over 16 plays. UP NEXTSteelers: Visit Baltimore in a game rescheduled because of the Titans' outbreak with the Ravens coming off their bye.
Henry, Titans rally past Texans 42-36 in OT, remain unbeaten
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is mobbed by teammates after Henry scored the winning touchdown against the Houston Texans in overtime of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. Watson's final TD pass put Houston (1-5) up 36-29 with 1:50 left, but a 2-point conversion attempt failed. Ryan Tannehill, who had three of his 19 career game-winning drives to start this season, drove the Titans 76 yards before finding A.J. He capped the six-play, 82-yard drive with a wildcat snap for his second TD of the game, finishing with 212 yards rushing and 52 yards receiving. Watson answered two plays later with a 53-yard TD pass to Will Fuller for a 30-29 lead with 8:37 left.
The Latest: Brady, Bucs roll to win, give Packers first loss
Brady threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Gronkowski, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled to a 38-10 win over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:02 left in the second quarter to cap the rally. It's been a tough afternoon so far for Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Dolphins had a 21-0 halftime lead after Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 147 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Board has movement in his limbs after suffering a concussion and neck injury in the team's win over Washington.
Tannehill scores 4 TDs as depleted Titans beat Bills 42-16
Malcolm Butler intercepted two passes, the second he returned 68 yards, and both set up short touchdowns for Tennessee. Kareem Orrโs recovery of a fumbled kickoff set up Tannehillโs fourth TD for 21 points off Buffalo's three turnovers. โKudos to them, and we have a lot to learn from.โJosh Allen came in second in the NFL in yards passing. Allen's pass went off Andre Roberts' hands right to Butler, and he returned the interception 29 yards to the Bills 16. Tennessee led 21-10 at halftime after Tannehill ran in from 10 yards seconds before the half.
Titans top winless Vikes 31-30; Gostkowski has 6 FGs
MINNEAPOLIS โ Stephen Gostkowski made his career-high sixth field goal of game, a 55-yarder with 1:48 left that lifted undefeated Tennessee to a 31-30 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday after Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill carried the Titans on another comeback. Henry rushed for 119 yards and two third-quarter touchdowns for the Titans, who improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2008 after trailing for most of the game. Tannehill passed for 321 yards, guiding the Titans on a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter or overtime for the sixth time in 16 games since becoming the starter. The Titans are 12-4 behind Tannehill, including the playoffs, and they're 15-0 when Henry hits the 100-yard mark. The depleted Vikings defense didn't do enough to hold it, though, as Tannehill moved the Titans just close enough for Gostkowski to go to work.
Gostkowski kicks 49-yarder as Titans beat Jaguars 33-30
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.
ODDS, HISTORY, STATS: Jaguars, Titans meet in early AFC South showdown
SPREAD - Jaguars 1-0; Titans 0-1SERIES RECORD - Titans lead 30-21LAST MEETING - Titans beat Jaguars 42-20 in Nashville, Nov. 24, 2019LAST WEEK - Jaguars beat Colts 27-20; Titans beat Broncos 16-14AP PRO32 RANKING - Jaguars No. ... Titans looking for their first 2-0 start since 2008, also the last time they won the AFC South. ... QB Ryan Tannehill led 17th winning drive of his career and fourth with Titans last week. ... Tannehill threw for 14 TDs with three rushing TDs in six home games last season. ... RB Derrick Henry ran for 116 yards in opener, his seventh game with 100 or more yards rushing since the start of 2019.
Gostkowski finally delivers in Titans' 16-14 win at Denver
Denver Broncos inside linebacker Josey Jewell (47) celebrates his stop of Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)DENVER โ New kicker Stephen Gostkowski avoided a disastrous debut with the Tennessee Titans in the nick of time. The Titans escaped Denver with a 16-14 victory Monday night on Gostkowskiโs 25-yard field goal with 17 seconds left after heโd missed four kicks, one in each quarter. Gostkowski missed three field goals: wide left, wide right and a block, and he missed an extra point. And Gostkowski became the first kicker to miss three field goals and a PAT in the same game since Mason Crosby missed four field goals and a PAT for the Packers against the Lions in 2018.
Titans' Henry faces toughest foe and friend Monday in Denver
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. โHaving 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. โHeโs a game wrecker,โ Henry said.
Brady, Patriots don't get usual R&R heading into playoffs
FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Orchard Park, N.Y. In making his NFL playoff debut against the Texans this weekend, second-year Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets an opportunity to show how far he's come since his last trip to Houston 14 months ago. (AP Photo/David Dermer, File)
Brady, Patriots don't get usual R&R heading into playoffs
(AP Photo/David Dermer, File)Tom Brady and the defending champion New England Patriots aren't getting their usual bye week to rest, relax and recharge. The Patriots host the Tennessee Titans on Saturday and the Buffalo Bills visit the Houston Texans to kick off wild-card weekend. Not only did Jackson set an NFL single-season record for yards rushing by a QB, but he also threw 36 TD passes. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-4). ___Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Tannehill's playoff debut comes against the Patriots' Brady
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. โHe's a guy that's been doing it for a long, long time at a very high level,โ Tannehill said. โI mean, the offense works well together with their strong running game and play-action passes, and heโs hit them. Really impressive offense and their system, very impressive.โNow 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.