The Tennessee Titans completed their three-game preseason slate on Friday night with a 23-7 victory over the New England Patriots at Nissan Stadium.
The Titans did play more starters than they had in the previous two preseason games, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who was hilariously in for just one series that saw him hand the ball off three times before being done for the night.
The defense saw the majority of its starters play early on, and the unit was as dominant as you’d expect against Patriots backups. It was also a good night for the reserves on that side of the ball, as the Pats couldn’t get much going at all and were shut out in the second half.
Malik Willis took over for Tannehill after the lone series and it was another roller coaster of a game for the young signal-caller, who had some ugly interceptions but some bright spots, also.
Here’s a look at everything we know from preseason Week 3.
Final score: Titans 23, Patriots 7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| NE | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| TEN | 6 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 23 |
Who didn't play?
Instant analysis: Offense
-All or most of the starting offensive line played during the first five series, with the initial group being Andre Dillard, Peter Skoronski, Aaron Brewer, Daniel Brunskill and Chris Hubbard from left to right. The pass protection was very good but the run-blocking left a lot to be desired, outside of a few runs.
-Brunskill exited early with a knee injury and was replaced by Jordan Roos and Xavier Newman. Hubbard did not play all five series and was replaced by Justin Murray.
-Dillard actually played longer than any of the starters and into the second half, which might mean the Titans didn’t like what they saw and wanted to get him more reps, although that’s purely a guess on my part. He looked to struggle in run-blocking, in particular. Zack Johnson eventually replaced him.
-Ryan Tannehill played on the opening series but didn’t throw a pass despite the Titans facing a 3rd-and-long. His form on handoffs was excellent, though.
-Watching Malik Willis play quarterback is the definition of a roller coaster. He completed 15-of-20 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns and made some good throws while also showing good poise in the pocket. He also shined at extending plays and keeping his eyes down the field.
-But he also threw two bad picks, one on a pass behind Josh Whyle that went off his hands, and another that was thrown directly to a Patriots defender, which was similar to the one he threw last week in Minnesota, but even worse. Willis and Julius Chesnut also botched an exchange, and the former had a delay of game late. It’s also clear Willis is still holding on to the ball for too long (even on his touchdown pass to Kearis Jackson, he had the rookie open earlier in the play) and his accuracy is inconsistent. Willis managed to rebound strong after both of his picks and had some impressive drives, especially his scoring drive to end the first half, but there remains plenty to correct. Regardless of the negatives, he’ll likely start the year as QB2, but one has to wonder if Levis could’ve taken it from him had he played the past two weeks.
-Racey McMath and Reggie Roberson didn’t see the field until the second half, which could be a bad sign for their chances of making the roster. Meanwhile, Tre’Shaun Harrison and Colton Dowell played in the first half, as did NWI and Chris Moore.
-Dowell, who played into the second half as well, saved his best for last and finished with a team-high 49 yards on two catches. Kearis Jackson also chipped in with 26 yards — second among wide receivers — and a score. McMath, Roberson and Kinsey didn’t have a catch, and Harrison had one for seven yards.
-Running backs Julius Chestnut and Tyjae Spears didn’t have a lot of room to run, but they still managed to make standout plays. Spears broke a 19-yard run and displayed a great stiff-arm in the process, and Chestnut had a beautiful 23-yard carry that showed his cutback ability and vision. He also recorded a touchdown catch and had 42 receiving yards overall, including a 30-yard grab. Jacques Patrick led all running backs with 76 yards on the ground. My takeaway from Patrick: he’s a big boy.
-The backup offensive linemen were solid once again, both in pass protection and run-blocking. The reserves haven’t been perfect by any stretch, but their performances as a group the past two weeks have been night and day from what we saw in preseason Week 1.
Instant analysis: Defense
-The Titans’ starting defense minus Jeffery Simmons, Teair Tart and Arden Key played the first three series and looked fantastic, forcing a three-and-out, turnover via fumble, and then a punt on the final drive. Denico Autry in particular was an absolute menace and tallied a sack. Azeez Al-Shaair showed up on a few plays, also.
-Caleb Murphy continued to cement his place on this roster after notching his team-high fourth sack of the preseason. I know there’s some concern about his special teams play, but you simply don’t cut a young pass-rusher who shows promise like Murphy has.
-Defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour had another great game after an impressive debut last week. He notched a team-high two sacks in the contest. Added last week, Dwumfour might have earned himself a spot on this roster.
-Rashad Weaver and Kyle Peko also tallied sacks.
-In the secondary, cornerback Steven Jones Jr. made an impressive tackle for loss in the second half and safety Mike Brown continued to stand out on multiple occasions, as he has for much of the offseason.
Instant analysis: Special teams
-Kearis Jackson got the majority of punt returns and both of the kick returns, but he was only able to field one punt and return it for 16 yards. Regardless, his involvement in the return game gives him another avenue to make this team. Mason Kinsey was the only other player to get a punt return, which he took for seven yards.
-It was not a good night for Michael Badgley, who was 3-for-4 on field goal attempts. He made one from 44 yards out but it doinked off the left upright and through. His miss was from 39 yards, and his other makes were from 27 and 33, both of which were clean. The Titans may very well be looking for another new kicker or, at the very least, they’ll bring in more competition ahead of Week 1. It’s astounding this team keeps finding itself in this position year after year.
Injuries
RG Daniel Brunskill (knee): Brunskill was listed as questionable but did not return.
Titans highlights
GRAND OLE AUTRY!
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @WKRN / NFL+ pic.twitter.com/NVbEwMQ1kP
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
DENICO 🔥 @budlight | #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/Bo5H0ZuTe3
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
🚨 STIFF-ARM ALERT @tyjae22
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @WKRN / NFL+ pic.twitter.com/ti3y8tTi2R
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
CHESTNUTS ROASTING 🔥
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @WKRN / NFL+ pic.twitter.com/XiSvc3iG02
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
.@malikwillis to the hometown kid @ColtonDowell2 for 30 yards!
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @WKRN / NFL+ pic.twitter.com/upybYBQEiw
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
Second week in a row @malikwillis has connected with @JuliusChestnut for 6!
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @WKRN / NFL+ pic.twitter.com/ezY4JnT9fU
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
.@malikwillis to @king_kearis for his second passing TD of the game! 🎯
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @WKRN / NFL+ pic.twitter.com/N8qzvnWRtj
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
Caleb Murphy can't stop getting to the quarterback
📺: Watch #NEvsTEN on @WKRN / NFL+ pic.twitter.com/FjRAB1riNe
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 26, 2023
