Tennessee Titans winners and losers from Week 16 loss to Saints

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans discusses a fumble call with a referee during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 22: Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans discusses a fumble call with a referee during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 22: Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 22: Running back Dion Lewis #33 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Winner: Dion Lewis

We’ve been hard on Dion Lewis this season, and rightfully so, he’s been a major disappointment both on the ground and through the air.

In Week 16, Lewis answered the bell and did what the Titans needed him to do. After his first two runs went nowhere, Lewis totaled 68 yards on his last 13 carries (5.2 yards per carry), and added one reception for 19 yards.

We’ll also give a shoutout to Dalyn Dawkins, who had some nice gains down the stretch.

Loser: Titans’ special teams

There have been some great moments for the Titans on special teams this season with blocked field goals, and punter Brett Kern has put together another solid season.

But in Week 16 we saw the same old problem rear its ugly head. It was bad enough that kicker Greg Joseph couldn’t get touchbacks on kickoffs, but the Titans allowed the Saints to turn their returns into big gains to setup great field position. Not getting touchbacks still doesn’t excuse players not making tackles to stop those long returns.

Even a kickoff solid return by Kalif Raymond was negated by a penalty.

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