Field Level Media
Oct 13, 2020
Ryan Tannehill threw for three touchdowns in an efficient performance Tuesday night as the Tennessee Titans won a coronavirus-delayed battle of unbeaten teams, dumping the Buffalo Bills 42-16 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Tannehill was 21 of 28 for 195 yards and no interceptions, helming a mistake-free performance for Tennessee (4-0). Playing their first game in 16 days after a COVID-19 outbreak that postponed their Week 4 home game with Pittsburgh, the Titans never trailed in their best game of the year.
Josh Allen completed 26 of 41 passes for 263 yards and two scores, but he also threw two costly interceptions that were quickly turned into Tennessee touchdowns. Buffalo (4-1) also committed 10 penalties for 56 yards.
An early mistake set the game's tone. Allen's third-down pass clanked off the hands of Andre Roberts and into Malcolm Butler's arms. The 29-yard return set up Tannehill's 16-yard dart to A.J. Brown two plays later for a 7-0 lead just 2:15 into the contest.
Allen bounced back by leading a lengthy touchdown drive, one that encompassed 15 plays, 76 yards and almost seven minutes. Isaiah McKenzie finished it by zipping 3 yards with a shovel pass from Allen.
Derrick Henry put the Titans ahead to stay with a 1-yard plunge only 1:06 into the second quarter. Tyler Bass' 43-yard field goal pulled the Bills within 14-10, but Tannehill led a well-executed drive in the final 2:55 of the half. He picked apart the Buffalo defense on a 90-yard march, scrambling the last 10 yards with 16 seconds left for a 21-10 halftime lead.
Allen was driving the Bills late in the third quarter when he was picked off by Butler for the second time. Butler's 68-yard return to the Buffalo 12 set up Tannehill's 4-yard scoring strike to Jonnu Smith with 1:49 remaining in the period.
Allen's 22-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Yelton with 10 minutes left in the game drew the Bills within 28-16. Tennessee iced it with a touchdown drive of 6:03, Henry rumbling 9 yards off right tackle for his second score.
Tannehill added a 7-yard touchdown toss to Smith at the two-minute warning.
--Field Level Media