Titans Dominate Rams in 28-16 Win On Sunday Night…

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – No Derrick Henry.

Two starting offensive linemen out.

A decided underdog against a team with the best record in the NFL.

Sounds like a perfect setup for a Hollywood script-like win for the Tennessee Titans, huh?

And that’s exactly what America and Titans fans were treated to here at SoFi Stadium on Sunday Night Football.

The Titans traveled to the West Coast and got In-N-Out with a big, 28-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The win improved Tennessee’s record to 7-2, while the Rams dropped to 7-2.

Running back Adrian Peterson started at running back in place of Henry, who was injured in last Sunday’s game at Indianapolis. The Titans played without starting left tackle Taylor Lewan and starting right guard Nate Davis. 

Peterson scored a touchdown in his Titans debut, a two-yard run with 3:00 left.

But this night belonged to the defense.

The Titans started out like gangbusters on the defensive side of the football, and they finished the game with a season-high five sacks while slowing down the high-powered Rams offense all night.

With the Rams backed up near their own end zone early in the second quarter, defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons forced Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford into a bad throw from his own end zone, and it was intercepted by Titans linebacker David Long Jr and returned to the two-yard line.

On the next play, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill connected with tight end Geoff Swaim for a two-yard touchdown to give the Titans a 7-3 lead.

When the Rams got the ball back, safety Kevin Byard intercepted Stafford and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown to give the Titans a 14-3 lead.

The Titans pressured Stafford right out of the gate, as defensive linemen Denico Autry and Simmons each recorded sacks on the opening possession. The Titans recorded four sacks in the first half – three by Simmons and one by Autry.

But Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey intercepted Tannehill on Tennessee’s first possession, and the Rams then took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter on a 34-yard field goal by kicker Matt Gay.

After two quick touchdowns, the Titans didn’t let up.

The lead ballooned to 21-3 when Tannehill scored on a one-yard touchdown run on a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line with 2:04 left before the half. The score capped a 14-play, 64-yard drive that took 7:39 off the clock, and it left the crowd at SoFi Stadium stunned.

The Titans led 21-3 at the half.

The Rams cut the lead to 21-6 midway through the third quarter after a nice defensive stand for the Titans, who forced Los Angeles to kick a 22-yard field goal after they had a first-and-goal at the Tennessee 4. The Rams cut it to 21-9 on another fiel goal by Gay, this one from 54 yards out, on the first play of the fourth quarter.

But Peterson’s run, which capped a seven-play, 59-yard drive, sealed it.

The Rams got a late touchdown pass from Stafford to running back Sony Michel with 24 seconds left to account for the final score.

The Titans return to action next Sunday against the Saints at Nissan Stadium.