That means Mike Mularkey will take over and try to immediately put a halt to a slide that has seen the Titans lose six straight games coming into this clash.
Advertisement
A 5-yard touchdown pass from Mariota (28 for 39 for 371 yards and four touchdowns) to tight end Anthony Fasano was the game-winner, 5:10 into overtime. Three other times they started 1-4 under Sean Payton, three other times they battled back to 4-4 and three other times they could never get over the five-hundred hump at any point in the season.
“I’m exhausted of even our own fans saying we’re awful”, left tackle Taylor Lewan said.
And those numbers were dampened by Brees shoulder injury, which appears to be a thing of the past based on the Giants game. That one should have been intercepted by one of the Saints safeties – former Oregon star Jairus Byrd or former Oregon State star Keenan Lewis.
And last but not least, the Saints botched another field goal – a 46-yard attempt by Kai Forbath with a chance to go ahead in the final minute. “When everybody makes plays; that’s going to be key to us in the future”. “It will cost us a game if we don’t get it under control”.
Walker had four receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns in the first half while Mariota completed nine of 15 throws for 172 yards.
Brees threw scoring passes of 10 yards to tight end Josh Hill and 38 yards to wide receiver Brandin Cooks in marching the Saints 72 and 80 yards on their first two possessions. “It’s not a pop fly, you can’t call it. You just go for it”.
“As players, you understand there are a lot of things you’re capable of doing, but you’re only asked to do certain things at certain times, and that’s fine”, Watson said. The line is relatively healthy at this point, and Mariota is going to start.
But the Saints snatched the lead right back.
It wasn’t easy in the Big Easy, but the Titans pulled out a memorable win over the Saints – in overtime, no less.
Actually, the Saints nicely overcame it on offense. Walker was able to catch fire after that play, and caught another touchdown on the following drive.
Trailing 14-3 in the first quarter, Tennessee’s first touchdown came on perhaps their flukiest play of the season, a 61-yard touchdown pass from Mariota to Delanie Walker in which the ball ricoheted off a New Orleans defender before falling into Walker’s arms.
Tennessee cut the lead to 21-17 on Mariota’s 2-yard pass to Walker midway through the second quarter.
Mariota and Brees traded touchdowns for the rest of the day.
New Orleans didn’t score again.
Colts 27, Broncos 24: INDIANAPOLIS – Andrew Luck threw two touchdown passes and Adam Vinatieri made a tie-breaking 55-yard field goal with 6:13 to play to lead Indianapolis over Denver. New Orleans did not record a sack. The Titans had not gained 300 yards in the last four games.
Advertisement
“It’s hard to tell (what happened) without seeing it on film”, Payton said. “You don’t know if the trajectory was low, if the hold was clean – I’m not sure”. Tennessee Titans recorded 209.7 passing yards and 100.1 rushing yards while allowed 197.9 passing yards and 118.7 russhing yards with turnover differential of 1.0. “Plus they know what he’s capable of doing for us”. “It can’t happen. It will cost us a game if we don’t get it under control”.
