Titans Rout Chargers in First 2016 Preseason Game

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by Terry McCormick
TitanInsider.com

Preseason wins don’t count.

But for the Tennessee Titans, Saturday night’s convincing 27-10 victory over the San Diego Chargers just might be something to build on for when the games do count.

The Titans, winners of just five games total over the past two seasons, did exactly what they set out to do in establishing their “smashmouth” offensive identity, running the football 33 times for 288 yards and three touchdowns.

That mindset filtered from the starters, who posted 179 yards behind the first-team offensive line down to the reserves who finished off the Chargers with 10 fourth-quarter points to put the game away.

“That definitely has been seldom felt around here for sure,” tackle Taylor Lewan said. “It feels good.”

With the Titans trailing 7-3, DeMarco Murray took the ball around the left side and broke free, going 71 yards for a touchdown and a 10-7 lead that the Titans would not relinquish.

“I saw Delanie (Walker) and the offensive line, they made great blocks on the power and the biggest block was by DGB (Dorial Green-Beckham). He made a great block on the cornerback outside. When you have big runs like that, it’s usually 11 guys working together,” Murray said.

In the second quarter, with Murray giving way to rookie Derrick Henry, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner show off his rushing ability, carrying the ball on seven of the nine plays in a 63-yard touchdown drive, capping it with a 6-yard TD run.

What pleased Titans players afterward was not only that they won convincingly, but how they won convincingly by dominating at the line of scrimmage, especially on offense – both with explosive plays like Murray’s run and grinding it out as Henry did.

“It always feels good to do what we say we want to do and that’s run the ball. I think we were the more physical team,” Walker said. “Both of the running backs ran very well, low pads and made the cuts they needed to make to get down the field, and our o-line blocked their butt off, making the plays and blocking the right people.”

The victory and the way it unfolded certainly gives the Titans some much-needed confidence that has been missing for the past few seasons.

“I think it’s a confidence booster,” said quarterback Marcus Mariota, who was 5 of 5 for 45 yards while playing the first quarter only. “You know that is what Coach (Mike) Mularkey has preached since he took over. It’s only the first game, but it has been a common trend throughout training camp and I was happy to see it on the field.”

Tennessee added to its lead in the second half as seemingly forgotten running back Bishop Sankey, who has had very little work on practices, broke free and scored from 41 yards out.

The Titans also added a pair of field goals – a 47-yarder from Ryan Succop on the game’s first drive and a 33-yarder from Aldrick Rosas in the fourth quarter.

San Diego’s only highlight was a 44-yard pass in the first quarter from Philip Rivers to Melvin Gordon.

Mularkey said he hoped Saturday night’s performance is the first step for what he is trying to establish.

“It’s about competing. We all want to win regardless of the game, it’s important,” he said. “I think there’s nothing wrong with feeling good – even for a preseason game.

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