Tennessee Titans vs. Atlanta Falcons October 7, 2007
This might be the ugliest game I have seen in years…and at the same time one of the sweetest. Along with there being 14 penalties for a total of 106 yards, there were 7 turnovers. Tennessee had 5 and Atlanta had 2. Guess who won? Chances are you are incorrect. Tennessee ended up with the W in this one winning 20 to 13.
Vince Young did not have one of his superior games. He went 20 for 33 for 157 yards and 3 interceptions. From what I saw, he did not look comfortable all day. It may have to do with the Titans coming off a BYE week and they were not in the “groove”. The Offensive line blocked great for Vince, but he was making bad reads all day. When he completed a pass it was always for short yardage. He averaged 7.8 yards a completion. To be successful in the NFL, this stat will have to rise. Young’s best play of the game came on a 20 yard run. Also, it was disappointing to see Young run a poor 2 minute offense. I have seen Young run a good HUO, but not today. Again, maybe it was mental mistakes due to the BYE week. A good clock manager is an attribute that will come in time for Vince Young.
The best part of this game by far was the play of the Tennessee Titans defense. Personally, I have not seen a defensive line look this good since I have watched the Titans. They absolutely dominated this game inside and out. The Titans have the best D-Line in the NFL and they have the best defensive tackle in the league with former Tennessee Volunteer, Albert Haynesworth. This guy is amazing. He was in the backfield all day long and his disruptive presence is always in the minds of his opponents. His most extraordinary play of the game came late in the fourth quarter when Atlanta was on the one yard line about to score and tie the game. As Byron Leftwich got the snap he was immediately met by Albert Haynesworth with a bruising force. Haynesworth took him down and Leftwich blindly pitched the ball back to Warrick Dunn and Dunn and fell on it. The game was over after that play. Haynesworth showed me that he is ready to take that next step to become THE best defensive tackle in the NFL.
The bottom line is that the Titans had a horrendous day on offense, but the defense came to the rescue and showed that they are the most underrated group in the league. Next weeks game vs. Tampa Bay should serve as a tougher test for this defense and we will see if there great play continues.
