(Nashville) Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel heard through the branches that his stripped-down team of several key players were declared the loser before they even hit the pitch against a team with the wind in their sails, the San Francisco 49ers.
Then they lost their substitute left tackle who tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the head coach’s hand to use a 52e different starting player and an 88e player this season.
“We are not yet dead and buried,” said Vrabel.
PHOTO WADE PAYNE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel
They are not only alive, but ready to fight.
Randy Bullock converted a 44-yard field goal with four seconds left to allow the Titans to erase a 10-point halftime deficit and defeat the 49ers 20-17 on Thursday night.
The Titans (10-5) are one victory or one defeat from the Indianapolis Colts to confirm a second successive coronation for the South section of the American Association despite three losses in their last four games. They went from the first row of the section to the third during this sequence.
Ryan Tannehill threw for just 40 yards in the first half, but finished the game with 209 yards and a touchdown pass for the Titans. AJ Brown caught 11 passes for 145 yards on his return to play. He scored a major on an 18-yard pass to extend his lead to 17-10 early in the fourth quarter.
D’Onta Foreman scored the Titans’ other major. Bullock had a field goal in the third quarter as well.
The Titans intercepted two passes, sacked two sacks on Jimmy Garoppolo and once again forced the 49ers to hand them the ball after four insufficient tries.
PHOTO MARK ZALESKI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Denico Autry scores a sack at the expense of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers had one last chance. Garoppolo completed a pass to Deebo Samuel who then made a fumble. The fumble was picked up by teammate Brandon Aiyuk, but was tackled by Jayon Brown to end the game.
The 49ers (8-7) have lost for the second time in their last seven games as they try to grab a spot among the drafted teams in the National Association. Their loss was synonymous with confirmation of the Dallas Cowboys’ participation in the playoffs.
Garoppolo threw for 322 yards and had 26 of his 35 passes. Aiyuk and Jeff Wilson scored on touchdowns for the 49ers. Robbie Gould had a 48-yard field goal attempt.