Commanders fall in dramatic fashion, lose to the Titans 21-17 (10-9-22)
By: Drew Willingham – LegacyMaker Sports Network
All Photo Credit: Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MD – The Tennessee Titans arrived at FedEx Field with a (2-2) record to enter Sunday’s matchup against a (1-3) Washington Commanders team. Both teams started sluggishly with very little production throughout the 1st quarter in sunny Landover. The Titans were able to open things up by the third drive with a 24-yard screen pass from QB Ryan Tannehill to RB Derrick Henry that made way for a receiving touchdown on the following play by RB Dontrell Hilliard. The Titans were up 7-0 as a result with just under 4:00 remaining in the first quarter. Washington would make a conscious effort to push the ball down the field following the Titans’ score, and end up with a 50-yard field goal by K Joey Slye to cut the deficit down to just 4 points. Ball Security and inconsistencies on the offensive line were contributing factors in the dismal play by Washington throughout the first quarter.
The Titans would start the second quarter with possession and decent field position on their 30-yard line. However, the break in between quarters cooled their jets as they went three and out to set up the third punt of the game by P Ryan Stonehouse. The first play of the ensuing drive, brought on a 75-yard bomb from QB Carson Wentz to WR Dyami Brown to take the lead at 10-7. However, the momentum wouldn’t remain consistent throughout the remainder of the first half as the Titans would punt on the ensuing drive to hand the ball back to the Commanders. Followed by the same result from the Commanders that would hold the score without changing heading into the two-minute warning towards halftime. Derrick Henry would score on a 1-yard Touchdown Run with only:17 remaining to put the Titans up 14-10 at the half.
The Commanders would receive the ball to start the second half, yet the majority of the third quarter would show resemblances of the first quarter as the play by both teams would be lackluster, to say the least. This would continue until late in the third quarter when Wentz would connect once again with Dyami Brown, this time for a 30-yard touchdown to take the lead 17-14. The score would be Brown’s second of the day and his career as the two-year pro had yet to score before today’s action. The touchdown was also a milestone for Wentz as it would be his 150th career touchdown pass, making him the 12th active quarterback to reach 150 career passing touchdowns. The Titans would successfully move the ball down the field on the ensuing drive to get their team inside the red zone and with 1:03 remaining in the third quarter….they would rely on Henry again to score on a 1-yard touchdown run to regain the lead for the Titans 21-17.
Washington would start the 4th quarter with possession, yet they would not be able to muster enough yardage to move the chains and a punt from P Tres Way would result in the culmination of the drive. The ensuing drives by Tennessee and Washington would result in punts by both teams, following an additional punt by The Titans that would follow immediately after. The stage was set for The Commanders to take the lead with under 2:00left in regulation. Upon a pass interference call that put Washington within 1-yard of regaining the lead, Carson Wentz threw a pass into double coverage with 0:09 remaining that resulted in an interception by LB David Long Jr to seal the victory for the Titans.
Despite periods of mediocre play by both teams, the game was a close one from start to finish. Carson Wentz played respectively throughout the contest until that lone interception at the end, throwing for 359 passing yards and 2 Touchdowns. Spreading the ball around and having three receivers with over 60 yards each. The formula for success was there, yet the lone turnover by Wentz at the end was what ultimately sealed the fate of The Commanders.
In a short week, The Commanders travel to Chicago to take on the (2-3) Chicago Bears who lost a tough one to the Minnesota Vikings this week as well. Washington will need to truly shrug off these 4 straight losses and prepare themselves for a tough matchup against a Bears team that’s trying to figure out its own identity as well. Can the Commanders turn this thing around and avoid a fifth straight deficit this Thursday? Tune in this Thursday on Amazon Prime Video at 8:15 pm to find out!
