The Tennessee Titans suffered a heartbreaker on Sunday. They were defeated 27-24 by the Cleveland Browns via a walkoff field goal. It was a back-and-forth affair that started with a 14-0 Titans lead, but neither Brian Daboll's offense or Robert Saleh's defense could sustain the momentum they began the contest with.
Several Titans players made highlight impacts. Others endured lowlights, coaches included. The rebuilding Titans are still learning how to win these tight-knit games.
We've identified four winners and three losers from the Titans' last-second Week 7 loss to the Browns.
4 winners and 4 losers from the Titans' walkoff Week 7 loss to the Browns
Winner: RB Tony Pollard
The Titans scored their first opening-possession touchdown of the season. Veteran running back Tony Pollard ran it five times on a six-play scoring drive that concluded with a 36-yard touchdown. Following an interception on the ensuing drive, Pollard scored his second touchdown of the first quarter. He finished with 129 yards and three touchdowns via 25 carries.
Winner: CB Cor'Dale Flott
Shortly after the Titans made it 7-0, Robert Saleh's defense quickly returned the favor. Cornerback Cor'Dale Flott picked off Browns QB Deshaun Watson on an ill-advised throw. It was Flott's second interception in as many games. The offense took over on the Browns' 24-yard line and capitalized, scoring the aforementioned Pollard touchdown to extend the first-quarter lead to 14-0.
Winner: LB Anthony Hill Jr.
Titans rookie linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was robbed of a forced fumble in Week 1 versus the New York Jets when an official's review ruled it an incomplete pass. A similar call went his way on Sunday for his first official turnover. Hill forced a Harold Fannin Jr. fumble that was upheld on replay. He continues playing lights-out football.
Loser: WR Wan'Dale Robinson
The Titans paid Wan'Dale Robinson handsomely to make big-time plays. The former Kentucky standout had an opportunity in the third quarter. Ward appeared to hit Robinson for a would-be explosive second-and-10 pass, but his diving attempt failed to survive the ground. He finished with four receptions for seven yards, and was basically downgraded to being a target of failed screen passes.
Winner: WR Carnell Tate
The Titans were trailing 17-14 in the third quarter. After the failed Robinson catch, Cam Ward appeared to hit Carnell Tate on 3rd-and-long for a lengthy gain on a slant route. Unfortunately, Tate fumbled at the end of the play, ending a promising drive. We nearly made him a loser for his second lost fumble in seven games, but he later made a pylon catch in the dying moments to set up Pollard's 3rd TD, which tied the game 24-24 late.
Loser: CB Alontae Taylor
After peculiarly making the high-priced Alontae Taylor a healthy scratch last week, Coach Saleh said the struggling cornerback needed a one-week reset. Well, Taylor was active in Week 7, but did not play a single defensive snap. Taylor watched from the sidelines as Joshua Williams and Marcus Harris claimed the available snaps.
Loser: HC Robert Saleh
Saleh's defense forced two turnovers, but they also failed to get stops on Cleveland's critical drives. A struggling Browns offense racked up 491 yards of offense. Browns QB Deshaun Watson was only sacked once despite being taken down on a league-high 24 occasions entering Week 7.
Loser: NFL officiating
The Browns were set up for the game-winning field goal by a 36-yard pass from Deshaun Watson to Harold Fannin Jr. The problem? The officiating crew missed a blatant false start on Browns right tackle Dawand Jones. The error went viral. The Titans arguably deserved to lose, but not in a manner that was impacted by poor refereeing.
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