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Tennessee Titans: What we learned from Week 7 win

By Michael Moraitis

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans gets the crowd cheering during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans gets the crowd cheering during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans walk on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 20: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans walk on the field before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

3. Mike Vrabel’s decision-making still scares us

One issue that wasn’t resolved in the Week 7 win over the Chargers was the lack of trust Titans fans have for head coach Mike Vrabel.

While he did make some decisions I agreed with, like the fake punt in the first quarter and going for it on fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter to try and seal the win, Vrabel failed miserably when he had a chance to challenge what clearly looked like a bad spot.

With the Titans clinging to a 23-20 lead and having just seen the Chargers drive down the field with ease to make it a one-score game, the Titans went for it on fourth-and-1, opting for a QB sneak with Tannehill.

After already getting a bad spot on the third-down play, Tennessee once again fell victim to poor judgement by the referees when Tannehill’s sneak was placed short of the first down marker when it was clear he had at least made forward progress.

The Titans had three timeouts in that situation and could have risked burning one with a challenge of the spot of the ball. After all, you can’t take those timeouts with you.

Instead, Vrabel decided not to challenge and just barked at the official until the Chargers ran their next play. Luckily for Vrabel and the Titans, the defense made an improbable goal line stand to squeak out the win.

Vrabel’s decision to not challenge didn’t end up costing the Titans, but it damn near could have. In that situation, the Titans head coach needed to throw the flag and he didn’t, which doesn’t help an already waning trust level fans have with him.

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