Defense plays better in second half after horrid beginning.
by Steve Saslow
Here are our position by position grades:
Quarterback:Ryan Fitzpatrick struggled in this game even though he threw for 288 yards on 29 of 46 passing with one touchdown. His first series, he threw three passes in three plays and had three deflections that all could have been picked off. He overthrew a wide open Brad Smith down the field by a good 15 yards twice. His improvisation allowed him to complete a long pass on the run to Smith but it was intended for Scott Chandler.
Grade D: Didn't make enough plays to end the losing streak.
C.J. Spiller had his biggest run of his career, a 35 yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He made it tough by fumbling it and having to recover in the end zone. A review was needed to overturn it. He finished with 83 yards on 14 carries but just three yards on three carries after halftime. He could have had more but a 41 yard touchdown run called back by a questionable penalty. He dropped two passes including one in the end zone but caught three others for 19 yards.
Tashard Choice had two straight third down conversions. He had 20 yards on five carries and one catch for 7 yards.
Corey McIntyre had his most extensive playing time of the season. He sprung Spiller on his TD run in the first quarter. He sprung him on another apparent TD run but was called for a questionable holding penalty. Caught his first pass of the season for four yards.
Grade A-: Should have had more chances in the second half.
Stevie Johnson had 52 yards on five catches including a touchdown.
Brad Smith had a game high seven catches for 72 yards but could have had more when he got open deep twice but was severely overthrown both times.
David Nelson had three catches for 34 yards.
Naaman Roosevelt dropped a third down pass that would have given the Bills a big first down. Caught a 25 yard pass late in the game.
Scott Chandler made a big catch but while fighting for extra yards he turned the ball over. He made a nice 15 yard catch to convert a third down later in the third quarter. Finished with 48 yards on three catches.
Lee Smith caught his first three passes of the year for 11 yards.
Mike Caussin made his first two catches of the year for 16 yards.
Grade C: Average play by an average unit.
Andy Levitre had a holding penalty but it was declined.
Chris Hairston helped spring Spiller on his touchdown run.
Grade C: Gave up one sack but a lot of pressures. Opened up holes for the running game to average 4.2 yards.
Marcell Dareus has hit the rookie wall. Was non existent today with just one assist.
Dwan Edwards had Johnson hemmed in in the backfield on their opening possession but he got away to get the first down.
Alex Carrington didn't even get on the stat sheet.
Grade F: Huge holes for the running game in the first half.
Chris Kelsay was caught out of position on a 19 yard run by Johnson. He tackled him for no gain on the first play of the 2nd half.
Nick Barnett had a nice open field tackle of Johnson and a sack on back to back plays to thwart Tennessee's first possession of the 2nd half. Finished with a team high 11 tackles.
Kelvin Sheppard had five tackles including one for a loss to help get the ball back in the final minute.
Spencer Johnson had a quiet four tackles.
Arthur Moats got called for an offsides penalty.
Grade D: Made nice second half adjustments but the damage was done.
Drayton Florence was beaten for one long pass but was pretty good in coverage.
Aaron Williams dropped an easy interception near the goal line before leaving with an injury.
Leodis McKelvin took over for William outside when he went out. He made two nice pass breakups on bombs on one series.
Justin Rogers had solid coverage on a third down pass in the red zone to hole Tennessee to an opening FG. He was beaten on a fourth quarter pass for a first down that kept a Titans scoring drive going.
Jairus Byrd tackled Jevon Ringer for a five yard loss on a screen pass. He finished with nine tackles.
Da'Norris Searcy got a tackle for no gain on Johnson. He did miss a couple of tackles but finished with eight.
Bryan Scott broke up a third down pass in the 2nd quarter to force the Titans first punt. Made a big open field tackle to keep the Titans from getting a touchdown in the third quarter.
Grade B: Held Matt Hasselbeck to 140 yards passing.
Brian Moorman averaged 48.5 yards on his four punts but he outkicked his coverage as his net was only 30.5.
Dave Rayner hit his lone field goal a 27 yarder.
Leodis McKelvin had two punt returns for 10 yards.
Mike Caussin had the only kickoff return on a short kick getting 12 yards.
Coverage Units couldn't keep up with Moorman's booming kicks. They allowed 72 yards on three punt returns and a 21 yard kickoff return.
Grade D: This unit is not that good.
Chan Gailey seemed off his game today. Some questionable clock management as they wasted too much time on their last touchdown drive. Should have went for it on 4th down in Titans territory. Did win the replay challenge on the touchdown.
George Edwards made some nice adjustments after halftime but his defense looked totally unprepared to play in the first half.
Bruce DeHaven his unit is the forgotten one on this team, but they aren't very good either. Titans had field position edge thanks to poor punt coverage unit.
Grade F: F as in five losses in a row.
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