NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It was a first-half slugfest, reminiscent of the sort of games the Titans and Ravens played near the turn of the century.
And then, in the third quarter, the Titans big-play potential turned into big plays: A 55-yard catch and run TD by Rishard Matthews, a play-action 24-yard TD toss to Jonnu Smith and a superb 75-yard scoring run by DeMarco Murray.
The offensive explosion catapulted the Titans to a 33-27 win over the Seattle Seahawks. Like the Jaguars, who the Tennessee beat in Florida last week, the Titans are 2-1.
There were times when the offense was too cute and it certainly took it a while to get going -- the Titans gained 17 yards on their first four possessions with four three-and-outs.
But for the second consecutive week a big second half simply snatched the game away from an opponent.
The Titans made a big defensive stand midway through the fourth quarter to deflate comeback hopes, with a great rush by Wesley Woodyard that prompted an intentional grounding and a great three-man rush on fourth-and-22 that resulted in a Hail Mary. It fell incomplete.
The defense gave up too much on the next possession, but it at least took some time for Seattle to close to within 6 even without the injured receiver Doug Baldwin. Delanie Walker recovered an onside kick and Seattle had too many men on the field for a big penalty that let Mariota take a knee to end it.
Tennessee drew this game at the right time and did what it should have done against a good opponent that still has not jelled on the offensive line.
That’s a marquee win.
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