SOURCE: Mark Everett Kelly/CKMagicSports.com/WorldWideSportsRadio.com/"My Scars Tell A Story"
https://worldwidesportsradio.com/henry-tannehill-keys-in-titans-in-historic-run
Henry and Tannehill Keys in Titans in Historic Run
Entering the 2019 NFL season, very few prognosticators figured the Tennessee Titans would be playing in their fifth AFC Championship Game in franchise history.
After a successful five-year run from 1999-2003, where they appeared in two AFC Championship Games and Super Bowl XXXIV, they fell on hard times. Only three times in the previous 17 seasons has the franchise reached the postseason, winning just one game.
After a dominant 43-13 victory at Cleveland to start the season, Tennessee fell flat, losing four of their next five games. Their offense was non-existent in those losses, totaling just 31 points.
The Titans decided to replace franchise QB Marcus Mariota with Ryan Tannehill, who was once viewed the same way as a member of the Miami Dolphins. However, injuries and inconsistency ended his tenure leaving many to doubt his ability to lead a consistent, productive offense.
Tannehill’s presence ignited the Titans stagnant offense in consecutive wins against the Chargers & Buccaneers (completed just under 71 percent of his passes while throwing for 505 yards, 5 TD, and 1 INT). However, a loss to the Panthers dropped their record under 500 again at 4-5. While Tannehill’s calm demeanor helped provide direction, something else was missing.
Enter Derrick Henry.
Derrick Henry Rushing Numbers
Last 8 Games (Includes Postseason)
Rushing Totals (Last 8 Games)
Total Yards
1,273
Yards Per Game
159.1
Attempts
203
Yards Per Carry
6.3
Touchdowns
11
>> 588 yards, 6.1 YPC, 196.0 YPG, 4 TD in last 3 games
Tennessee won their next four games behind Henry’s running, as he averaged 149.8 YPG and 6.7 YPC. A sore left hamstring saw Henry post only 86 rushing yards in a loss to the Texans and miss their 38-28 loss at New Orleans.
Facing a win and in scenario against division rival Houston (who had already clinched the AFC South), Henry returned with a vengeance. His 211 rushing yards helped him become the first Heisman Trophy winner since Barry Sanders in 1997 to win the NFL rushing title, while also clinching the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC for the Titans.
As the Titans prepare to take on the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, Henry is enjoying a historic playoff run (literally). He set an NFL record on Saturday in defeating the AFC #1 seed Baltimore Ravens 28-12, posting his third straight game with at least 180 rushing yards. That followed his 182-yard performance that ended the Patriots run of eight consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances.
QB Throwing for under 100 Yds, Consecutive Playoff Wins
NFL Playoffs, Super Bowl Era
Yds/Opponent
Yds/Opponent
2019 Ryan Tannehill, TEN
72 at Patriots
88 at Ravens
1974 Terry Bradshaw, PIT
95 at Raiders
96 vs Vikings
After finishing the regular season averaging 228.5 passing yards per game with 22 TD and just 6 INT during the regular season, Tannehill has played a different role in the postseason. In both the Titans postseason wins, Tannehill has thrown for under 100 yards (72 at Patriots, 88 at Ravens). He is only the second QB in NFL playoff history to win consecutive playoff games without throwing for 100 yards in either game (Terry Bradshaw threw for 95 & 96 yards in wins over the Raiders & Vikings).
While Tannehill’s run at NFL playoff history could not happen without help from his teammates, perhaps its overall meaning can be seen in another example. The only other QB in franchise history to throw for under 100 yards and win a postseason game was Steve McNair. McNair finished 13-24 for 76 yards in the Titans 22-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the 1999 AFC Wild Card Game. Most people refer to that game as the “Music City Miracle”, which Kevin Dyson returned a kickoff 75 yards for the game-winning TD after receiving a cross-field lateral from Frank Wycheck. Could the NFL world be witness to another Titans Super Bowl run featuring this rare feet by a QB?
If Tannehill and the Titans are able to defeat the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game Sunday, they will join the Dallas Cowboys as the only teams to feature two different QB leading their team to a Super Bowl in the same postseason they won a game throwing for under 100 yards.
On December 26, 1970 in the first ever NFC Divisional Round, Dallas Cowboys QB Craig Morton set NFL records by throwing for the fewest yards (38) and completing the fewest passes (4) in a postseason win. Morton and the Cowboys defeated the Lions 5-0 on their way to losing to the Colts in Super Bowl V. A year later, Roger Staubach threw for 99 yards while leading the Cowboys to a 20-12 win over the Vikings in the NFC Divisional Round. Dallas went on to win their first Super Bowl, defeating the Miami Dolphins 24-3 in Super Bowl VI.
Fewest Regular Season Wins, Advanced To Super Bowl
Non-Strike Seasons
W-L
Super Bowl Result
2011 New York Giants
9-7
Defeated Patriots 21-17
2008 Arizona Cardinals
9-7
Lost vs Steelers 27-23
1979 Los Angeles Rams
9-7
Loss vs Rams 31-19
1967 Green Bay Packers
9-4-1
Defeated Raiders, 33-14
>>Tennessee Titans (9-7) at Kansas City in AFC Championship
What will the Titans show the NFL against the Chiefs? If it’s anything like what we have seen so far, Tennessee might become just the fifth team to win nine regular-season games and advance to the Super Bowl.
For all of the teams that didn’t make the playoffs, it is officially draft season for you. For 20 NFL fan bases, their Google search history will be flooded with mock drafts and prospect highlight tapes. The draft in some way, shape, or form gives teams and their fans hope for following years. New players excite people and speculating on their future destinations keeps everybody talking until draft night.
This class is loaded with offensive talent that is unlike most others. There are possibly up to seven quarterbacks, four running backs, and roughly up to 15 wide receivers that could find themselves in the first round of this year’s draft. That leaves open the possibility of teams waiting on offensive skill players until the later rounds so they can get an early bid on the top tier defensive players and offensive linemen. With that being said, let’s see how the draft could possibly shakeout before the playoffs commence.
We all knew Robby Anderson’s contract with the Jets was ending at the end of this season but we didn’t know how depleted the entire team would be. The 26 year old wide receiver has surely grown into himself. Anderson has had a decent year with 5 touchdowns on 49 receptions at Week 17. But if the rumors are true, that he’s looking for a 4 year, 10 million dollar contract the Jets might not be able to resign him.
Robby Anderson was once labeled a “One Trick Pony” since most of his plays were speedy deep routes. This year he was utilized in more plays and short passes. He has had his ups and downs with this team but the fact remains that Sam Darnold loves him. Unfortunately, the might not be able to afford to the Sam and Robby duo.
Robby’s career high is 63 catches for 941 yards – two years ago. That’s definitely not a $10 million dollar caliber receiver. Many have tried to compare him to his wide receiver counterparts such as Tyler Lockett, Emmanuel Sanders and Larry Fitzgerald. All are getting paid between 10-12 millions dollars a year. Yet they all have more receptions and/or yards than Anderson. A valid argument could be made for an 8 million dollar a year contract with performance incentives. Outside of that, 10 million for a number 2 wide receiver with mediocre numbers seems outlandish.
Joe Douglas will have his hands full this off season as he tries to rebuild the Jets from the ground up. The team is depleted and needs a new offensive line, pass rush, and corner backs which will be quite costly! What a difference a year can make in the NFL. The Jets went from having the 2nd highest cap in the league to having to try and get position players on a budget. After addressing these issues he will have little left to figure out how to address his wide receiver and running back situation. If Anderson is unwilling to negotiate, his return is highly unlikely.
Last nights nail biter regular season finale game between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers wasn’t pretty. After last nights game, I think we saw two teams that are flawed and not Super Bowl bound. Unfortunately, the Seahawks flaws seem to come from injuries. They have lost their 3 starting running backs, #1 tight end, their star offensive tackle, all cornerbacks and Clowney on defense is believed to playing hurt. They lost their receiver Jaron Brown in the first series of last nights game leaving only Lockett, Metcalf, Moore and Ursula, making any kind of offense very challenging. The 49ers on the other hand are all healthy with the exception of Tart and Dee Ford. They had all of their starters including Bosa and Staley that they didn’t have in the first Seattle matchup. Why is this important to know? A Super Bowl destined team that’s almost completely healthy doesn’t let Russell Wilson come back from such a lead in the 2nd half with a completely decimated team.
The Niners appeared to dominate the whole first half when they went up by 13 at the half. The return of Marshawn Lynch this week actually Appeared to hurt the Seahawks as the Niners defense could almost guarantee he wouldn’t be involved in the pass game. Getting the offense started for Seattle seemed to be a real struggle going into half-time as they trailed 13-0.
They’re very fortunate to have clinched the Bye and after last night they’ve showed the world they’re going to need it. This Seahawks-Niners game could very well have a part 2 in 2 weeks at Levi Stadium where the Hawks beat the Niners back in November and broke their undefeated record. More will be revealed in this playoff contention. One thing for sure, there is a team that knows how to get it done and they’re led by the man who set the Highest Comletion Record in NFL history. Just a friendly reminder to fans: All that Glitters Isn’t Gold.
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