Rapid Reaction: Three up, three down

In the 2020 season debut, the Tennessee Titans looked like a far cry from the team that went to the AFC Championship less than a year ago. Still, the Titans got the win and that’s all that matters in the end.

Three Down:

1. Rashaan Evans: This was not really about his performance on the field, because he played less than a quarter of football. Evans displayed a complete lack of awareness and got himself ejected by punching Bronco TE Jake Butt. The mistake made by Evans was one that a rookie should have known better to avoid, much less a third year player.

2. Stephen Gostkowski: Yikes. Gostkowski missed his first three field goals as a Titan, one that could have put the Titans up 3-0 early in the game and another to end the half which would have given the Titans a 10-7 lead. It did look like the second kick was a poor snap, so maybe not all on Gostkowski.

The third kick being missed felt inevitable and the game quickly started to turn into a replay of the Cairo Santos game against the Bills a year ago. Gostkowski then went on to miss an extra point, taking away 10 potential points for the Titans. The former Patriot and possibly future former Titan then kicked his first and potentially last FG for the Titans, putting them ahead 16-14.

3. Offensive crispness: Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. The offense really never got into a groove, stalled by penalties and injuries. On the first drive of the game, the offense was called for a false start and a delay of game (inexcusable with no fans). Later, in the fourth quarter the Titans appeared to be going for it on fourth down. They were called for another delay of game and had to punt it. When it really mattered, Ryan Tannehill led the team down the field for the go-ahead FG attempt.

Three Up

1. Jadeveon Clowney: So far, so good for the former and current Mike Vrabel pupil. Clowney is must watch television and it’s hard to take your eyes off of him when he’s on the field. It looked like Clowney was building a residence in the Broncos backfield, and I’m excited to watch him as he gets even more comfortable playing with the rest of the defense.
2. Jeffery Simmons: Simmons was an absolute menace this game, especially on the Titans goal line stand in the first half. The 2019 1st rounder had a fumble recovery as well. Simmons looked every bit the part of the player the coaches have been raving about this offseason.

3. Corey Davis: Can you tell this man is in a contract year? Wow. Corey looked like a man possessed. He caught nearly everything thrown his way and he sent Kareem Jackson into the ether. Davis finished the game with 7 catches and 101 yards. Stellar performance from the Titans #2 WR.

Author: Robert GreenlawBorn and raised west of the Mighty Mississippi, a 2nd-grade project on the state of Tennessee introduced Robert to Steve McNair and Eddie George, turning him into a Titans fan for life. Robert was best known for being the Music City Miracles "links guy" for the better part of a decade. He loves all things sports and can be found on The Flex fantasy football podcast, part of Broadway Sports Media.