One of the most memorable moments from the Tennessee Titans’ 27-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday was the spectacular play call by offensive coordinator Tim Kelly at the end of the first half.
Tennessee threw Jeffery Simmons in the game as a decoy blocker along the goal line to help setup another one of Derrick Henry’s infamous jump passes.
This time, however, rookie tight end Josh Whyle was on the receiving end of the game-changing play in what was an awesome moment for the Cincinnati product, as he finally provided an impact after a quiet start to his NFL career.
It's getting Whyle in here
📺: Watch #CINvsTEN on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/jC9cfRm1Jf
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) October 1, 2023
As you’d expect, Whyle never could’ve imagined his first touchdown would come from a future Hall of Fame running back such as Henry, but he did know there was a chance during the week.
“I didn’t think so until earlier this week” Whyle said, per AtoZ Sports. “That was a new play this week. We got a couple of reps at it. Worked on it a couple of times. Derrick threw a good ball today, so that’s all that matters.”
The rookie tight end admitted that the play didn’t always go smoothly at practice. Apparently, Henry’s elite arm strength was the cause.
“The first couple of times, Derrick threw me a missile and it went right through my hands,” he said. “So he lofted it up today and it was right there.”
Whyle also took the time to elaborate on how the play unfolded from his perspective.
“Right when I got off the line of scrimmage I was (open), which I think is a testament to upfront,” Whyle explained. “We talked earlier this week, that’s where the sell was coming from. The guys upfront selling, that’s why I gave (the ball) to the first big man I saw, let them spike.”
As for Henry, he jokingly stated that “Peyton Manning had to show up again,” referencing the fact that he’s now completed 87.5 percent of his career passes (7-of-8) for 28 yards and four touchdowns (120.8 passer rating).
Considering those results, the Alabama product is confused as to why defenses don’t respect his throwing ability in these types of situations.
“I don’t know why they don’t respect me (as a passer) at this point man, but hopefully I earn that at some point,” Henry said, tongue firmly in cheek. “I got to find out my QBR rating. It might be pretty good.”
Henry admits that he got nervous following the Bengals time out, but they trusted the plan and executed it to perfection.
“I was like, ‘Oh man, they done seen something, they done sniffed something out, they’re going to change that play,’ but we stuck with it and it ended up working,” he explained.
Simmons was happy to be included in the play but he hopes the pass comes his way one day.
“It’s always a big man’s dream to be on offense,” Simmons said, according to Sam Phalen of AtoZ Sports. “Hopefully, one day, they’re going to throw it to me.”
Today’s game was the perfect example of what this team can be when it’s rolling in all three phases of the game. The next step is for Tennessee to start stacking these types of performances together.
