Here’s what we know.: the Tennessee Titans suffered a heartbreaking 27 – 24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, October 25 in Nissan Stadium, dropping them to a 1 – 6 record on the season. Running back Tony Pollard rushed for a season – high 129 yards and three touchdowns, tying the game 24 – 24 with just 58 seconds remaining. However, the Browns drove down the field and kicked a walk-off field goal as time expired. There was a large crowd for the game, and they appeared to be mostly Cleveland fans among the crowd of the 63,710 tickets distributed for the game.
It was a very tough fourth – quarter Loss. First – year head coach Robert Saleh and young quarterback Cam Ward are working to build momentum after securing their first win of the year in Week 6 against the Indianapolis Colts (26 – 20). Punter Tommy Townsend exited the Week 7 game with a left – leg / knee injury, and several key contributors — including wide receiver Calvin Ridley and running back Tyjae Spears — have been managing lingering injuries.
The Titans are now in 4th Place (last) in the AFC South Division with 1 Win, 6 Losses. Let’s see how their team stats line up against the rest of the NFL. Their passing offense, which is netting 153.5 yards per game, is 32nd in NFL (also last). Their rushing offense, at 82.8 yards per game, is tied for 27th in NFL (there are 4 that are worse). Points scored, 14.0 points per game, Tied – 31st in NFL (worst). At least their points allowed, at 21.5 points per game, is 13th in NFL, among the top half.
Now, about that internet explosion: The Cleveland Browns won on a game – winning 32 – yard field goal by Andre Szmyt as time expired. The finish triggered heavy backlash over a missed false start penalty on the game-deciding play: With seconds remaining and the Browns moving into field goal range, quarterback Deshaun Watson completed a crucial 36 – yard pass to Harold Fannin Jr. Replays showed right tackle Dawand Jones jumping early before the snap, which should have resulted in a 5 – yard false start penalty and stopped the play.
But the officials kept their flags in their pockets, allowing the gain to stand and set up the game – winning kick. Reporters, fans, and Titans coach Robert Saleh criticized the non – call, while some observers noted that earlier missed penalties (such as a potential delay of game on Tennessee’s tying drive) went uncalled as well.
“Not everyone was taken by the thrill of the Browns’ final drive, though,” posted Sean Deveney on HEAVY. “In fact, many poked a giant hole in it: right tackle Dawand Jones, in for Tytus Howard, clearly was guilty of a false start before the snap, moving out of his set and stepping back in pass protection a full beat before the ball was snapped.”
Deveney also noted: “The ‘TruthSeeker’ betting persona, with 130,000 followers, wrote, ‘THE NFL IS 100% RIGGED. This was clearly a false start by the #Browns.’” And, that, from the Titans’ London fan site: “Seriously, how does every official with eyes miss this false start by the Browns RT on one of the biggest plays of the game? Our @Titans were robbed here.”
Up Next: The Titans hit the road in Week 8 to face the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, November 1. Watch live on CBS, locally channel 5.1 at 12 Noon; the Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos game follows at 3:25 p.m.
