NFL
Who won Saints vs. Titans game? | NFL Week 10
The Tennessee Titans held off the New Orleans Saints in one of the marquee matchups of Week 10. The Titans had less than 270 yards of total offense.
The Tennessee Titans survived a scare against the New Orleans Saints at home to secure their eighth win of the season. The Saints sank themselves by missing two extra points, and committing untimely penalties as the Titans held on to win 23-21 for their eighth win of the season.
Stars missing for Titans and Saints
Both teams came into the game without their top offensive stars. Jameis Winston tore his ACL in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, while the Titans were left without former MVP candidate Derrick Henry after the Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
The Titans started off the game with a couple straight three-and-outs, but put the first points on the scoreboard with a Randy Bullock 28 yard field goal.
New Orleans quarterback Trevor Siemian led the Saints on their first touchdown drive to start the second quarter, but Saints kicker Brian Johnson missed the extra point. It wouldn’t be the last time Johnson missed an extra point, and in a game that New Orleans lost by two points the two missed PAT’s would make a difference.
New Orleans mistakes cost them in close game
The Titans made the most of their opportunities gifted to them by the Saints at the end of the first half. Two flags, a roughing the passer on 1st and Goal from the 8 and a pass interference flag on 3rd and Goal gave Tennessee an easy opportunity for a one yard quarterback sneak.
On the opening play of the second half Deonte Harris fumbled the kickoff, and five plays later the Titans stretched the lead to 20-6.
Siemian led the Saints to a second touchdown drive at the end of the third quarter with a Mark Ingram 13 yard run, but Johnson missed another extra point leaving the New Orleans down 20-12.
Trautman's false start hurt two point chances
After exchanging field goals in the fourth quarter the Saints got a chance to tie up the game with under four minutes to go in the final quarter. After a seven play, two minutes drive Marquez Callaway caught Siemian’s pass to come within two points of Tennessee.
The all or nothing two point conversion was made even more difficult by yet another penalty. This time it was a false start on Adam Trautman to back the Saints up to the seven yard line. Siemian tried to find Mark Ingram on the pass out of the backfield, but the pass was broken up. The ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Titans and Tennessee ran out the clock
The Titans had just 264 yard of total offense, but they took care of the ball, forced turnovers and took advantage of the penalties the Saints committed in crucial parts of the game.