Story by Jim Wyatt – TitansOnline.com
It was another heart-stopping finish at Nissan Stadium on Sunday. And another Titans win.
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw three touchdown passes and the Titans defense got another big stop on defense late to record a 27-23 win over the Buccaneers.
The Titans took the lead with 6:55 left on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to rookie receiver A.J. Brown, which capped a 12-play, 90-yard drive.
The Titans appeared to be on the verge of extending their lead, but punter Brett Kern was stopped short on a fourth-down run late on a fake punt try, and the Buccaneers got the ball back.
Then, with the Buccaneers facing a fourth-and-one at the Tennessee 32-yard line, Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey stuffed the Tampa Bay runner for a loss.
Later, cornerback Logan Ryan intercepted Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston with 18 seconds left to seal it.
The Titans improved to 4-4 with the win.
The Titans scored a pair of touchdowns early by forcing a pair of turnovers and led 17-15 at the half.
The Buccaneers took a 23-17 lead early in the third quarter, however, on a two-yard touchdown pass from Winston to receiver Mike Evans.
The Titans cut the lead to 23-20 on a 42-yard field goal by kicker Cody Parkey, who also made a 51-yard kick in the first half, and that was the score after three quarters.
Then came the memorable finish.
The Titans took a 7-3 lead with 8:55 left in the first quarter on a five-yard touchdown pass from Tannehill to tight end Jonnu Smith. Moments earlier, Titans rookie defensive lineman Isaiah Mack recovered a mishandled snap by Winston at the 10-yard line.
Later in the first quarter, Tannehill connected with receiver Tajae Sharpe for a six-yard touchdown pass to give the Titans a 14-3 lead. The second score was set up by an interception by cornerback Malcolm Butler, who returned it to the Tampa Bay six-yard line.
The Buccaneers kicked three field goals in the first half, as Matt Gay made kicks of 22, 24 and 48 yards, along with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Winston to Evans.
The Titans travel to face the Carolina Panthers next Sunday.
