NEW ORLEANS – Of their ultimate tune-up for the common season, the Titans first-team offense got here out hitting on all cylinders.
Quarterback Will Levis guided the staff down the sphere with ease to start out, capping the primary two drives with factors, together with a landing on the opening drive.
It was a optimistic signal within the staff’s 30-27 win within the preseason finale in opposition to the Saints.
The Titans completed the preseason with a 3-0 file.
“Simply unbelievable effort and work by our staff this preseason,” Titans Coach Brian Callahan mentioned after the sport. “I perceive that preseason information haven’t any bearing on common season success, it is no predictive in any method, form or type. However for the blokes that go well with up and play and provides all the things they’ve on the again of the roster, it actually means one thing. In order that was actually cool, to see how onerous our staff has performed within the preseason.”
Subsequent up: The common season opener versus the Bears in Chicago on September 8.
The Titans starters, and back-ups, obtained the job finished on this one.
Levis was an ideal 4-of-4 for 65 yards on the staff’s first offensive possession, as he guided the staff 84 yards on 9 performs to provide the Titans a 7-0 lead within the first quarter.
On the staff’s subsequent offensive possession, Levis and the first-team offense moved the ball 57 yards on 9 performs, they usually capped it off with a 39-yard discipline aim by Nick People to make it 10-0.
Levis ended up enjoying two drives, and he accomplished 7-of-8 passes for 118 yards, and a passer score of 118.8. He accomplished two passes every to receiver Calvin Ridley, tight finish Nick Vannett and working again Tony Pollard, whose one-yard landing run capped off the staff’s opening offensive drive.
“It was good,” Levis mentioned. “We did what we needed to out right here, to get us amped up and prepared for Week One. We have been clear with our operation, from high to backside. I am pleased with how the blokes went on the market and performed. And it was superior to see guys go on the market and make some performs.
“Simply actually proud of the way it went, getting the dub. Three-and-0 within the preseason. We all know it does not essentially imply something within the preseason, but it surely means one thing to us. It feels good.”
Defensively, the Titans first-team protection, enjoying with out numerous starters, obtained off the sphere on their first two offensive possession earlier than extra back-ups entered the competition in opposition to the Saints, who performed principally back-ups on each side of the soccer.
The Saints ended up getting their first factors on a Spencer Rattler-to-Equanimeous St Brown landing move to make it 10-7 on the 9:49 mark of the second quarter.
After quarterback Mason Rudolph relieved Levis within the second quarter, he guided the Titans down the sphere on a 16-play, 67-yard drive that was capped off with a 26-yard discipline aim by kicker Brayden Narveson, which made it 13-7 Titans with 1:52 remaining earlier than the half.
A 54-yard discipline aim by Saints kicker Blake Grupe made it 13-10 on the half, and Grupe’s second discipline aim of the sport made it 13-13 with 11:57 left within the third quarter.
A 31-yard discipline aim by Narveson capped off a 12-play, 57-yard drive engineered by Rudolph, and that made it 16-13 Titans with 5:21 left within the third quarter.
Rudolph performed into late within the third quarter for the Titans, and he accomplished 11-of-15 passes for 114 yards, with a passer score of 94.9.
Malik Willis entered the sport with 2:25 left within the third quarter.
The Saints ended up taking their first lead of the sport with 13:54 remaining on an 11-yard run by Jacob Kibode, which made it 20-16.
However Willis and the Titans answered again.
Willis linked with receiver Bryce Oliver on 34-yard landing strike, which capped a seven-play, 70-yard drive, to provide the Titans a 23-20 lead with 9:40 remaining.
The Saints answered again with one other landing drive of their very own, scoring on one other Kibode run to take a 27-23 lead with 6:26 left.
Willis and the Titans saved swinging, nonetheless, to take a 30-27 lead with 1:25 left on one other Willis-to-Oliver landing, this one from 5 yards out, on fourth down.
Willis completed the sport 3-of-4 for 51 yards and two touchdowns, and a 156.2 score.
“I believe it was superior to win,” Willis mentioned. “All people throughout – offense, protection, particular groups – did all the things they might to drag this one out. It was superior to complete the best way that we did.”
The Titans are scheduled to return to Nashville on Sunday evening.
All NFL groups have to be all the way down to 53 gamers by Tuesday afternoon.