Titans Lose a Sloppy Game to Bills, 13-12

Oct 07, 2018 at 11:58 PM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Turnovers, dropped passes, and missed opportunities.

Here on Sunday, they all came back to haunt the Titans in the end of a 13-12 loss to the Bills.

"Everybody is pissed off," Titans safety Kevin Byard said. "It is pretty silent in here. … We talked all week about not coming up here and laying an egg, and falling into the b.s. or whatever, but we did and we lost. We have to get better."

Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka made a 46-yard field goal to win it as time expired.

"I don't have much to say," Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey said. "We had been on a good roll, winning close games. To let something like this go into the L column, knowing that we had the game in our hands, it definitely sucks. We had been talking about getting over the hump, leaving the past in the past. To let something like this happen it brings a damper."

Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson intercepted Bills quarterback Josh Allen with 7:51 left, which gave the Titans the ball at their own 46, trailing 10-9. Then, kicker Ryan Succop made his fourth field goal of the game – a 50-yarder with 4:43 left – to give the Titans a 12-10 lead.

It looked like the Titans might survive a sloppy performance.

But the Bills rallied to win it, and the Titans dropped to 3-2.

"You don't have to slam your helmet, and you don't have to bang the lockers, and kick the Gatorade cooler over," coach Mike Vrabel said. "If you (make mistakes) every week, you'll lose in the National Football League. Those are fundamental things we have to do a better job with."

It was a shaky start for the Titans, who never really got on track, in large part because of three turnovers.

On the team's first possession, receiver Taywan Taylor fumbled after making a catch from quarterback Marcus Mariota, and the Bills recovered. Allen guided an 11-play, 47-yard drive and capped it off with a 14-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0.

Titans return man Nick Williams set up a Succop field goal with a nice return. Williams returned a punt 38 yards, and Succop's 25-yard kick made it 7-3 with 1:35 left in the first quarter.

After Mariota was intercepted, the Bills came up empty on a botched field goal deep in Tennessee territory when Bills holder Corey Bojorquez threw an incomplete pass.

At the end of the first half, Succop tied a career-long with a 54-yard field goal, which made it 7-6 at the half.

But the Titans had trouble generating any momentum, thanks to turnovers. Running back Dion Lewis added to the turnovers with a fumble in the third quarter. The Bills cashed that in for a 10-6 lead on a 40-yard field goal by Hauschka.

The Titans put together their best drive of the day early in the fourth quarter, but settled for another field goal by Succop after Williams dropped a Mariota pass while heading into the end zone. Succop's kick, with 10:30 remaining, made it 10-9.

Williams made no excuses after the game for the drop.

"Marcus made a great play keeping the play alive, scrambling," Williams said. "He threw a great pass -- that's all on me. One-hundred percent, that's pro ball. Quarterbacks throw it, receivers catch it. You have to make that play."

The Titans face the Ravens next Sunday at Nissan Stadium.

"I'm sure some guys are frustrated because we felt like this is a game we felt we should have had," Lewis said. "We have to bounce back. This is the NFL, and you are not going to win every game. We just have to bounce back."

1 / 215

2 / 215

3 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota scrambles against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

4 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota scrambles against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

5 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota takes the first snap of the game during the first half of NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

6 / 215

7 / 215

8 / 215

9 / 215

10 / 215

11 / 215

12 / 215

13 / 215

14 / 215

15 / 215

16 / 215

17 / 215

18 / 215

19 / 215

20 / 215

21 / 215

22 / 215

23 / 215

24 / 215

25 / 215

26 / 215

27 / 215

28 / 215

29 / 215

30 / 215

31 / 215

32 / 215

33 / 215

34 / 215

35 / 215

36 / 215

37 / 215

38 / 215

39 / 215

40 / 215

41 / 215

42 / 215

43 / 215

44 / 215

45 / 215

46 / 215

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kick a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

47 / 215

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) runs with the ball as Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds tries to bring him down during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

48 / 215

Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) is tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Jordan Philips, top, and defensive end Jerry Hughes during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

49 / 215

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) celebrates his field goal with Brett Kern (6) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

50 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

51 / 215

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4), with Brett Kern holding, kicks a field goal as Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) tries to block it during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

52 / 215

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) is unable to catch a pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota, not pictured, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

53 / 215

54 / 215

55 / 215

56 / 215

57 / 215

58 / 215

59 / 215

60 / 215

61 / 215

62 / 215

63 / 215

64 / 215

65 / 215

66 / 215

67 / 215

68 / 215

69 / 215

70 / 215

71 / 215

72 / 215

73 / 215

74 / 215

75 / 215

76 / 215

77 / 215

78 / 215

79 / 215

80 / 215

81 / 215

82 / 215

83 / 215

84 / 215

85 / 215

86 / 215

87 / 215

88 / 215

89 / 215

90 / 215

91 / 215

92 / 215

93 / 215

94 / 215

95 / 215

96 / 215

97 / 215

98 / 215

99 / 215

100 / 215

101 / 215

102 / 215

103 / 215

104 / 215

105 / 215

106 / 215

107 / 215

108 / 215

109 / 215

110 / 215

111 / 215

112 / 215

113 / 215

114 / 215

115 / 215

116 / 215

117 / 215

118 / 215

119 / 215

120 / 215

121 / 215

122 / 215

123 / 215

124 / 215

125 / 215

126 / 215

127 / 215

128 / 215

129 / 215

130 / 215

131 / 215

132 / 215

133 / 215

134 / 215

135 / 215

136 / 215

137 / 215

138 / 215

139 / 215

140 / 215

141 / 215

142 / 215

143 / 215

144 / 215

145 / 215

146 / 215

147 / 215

148 / 215

149 / 215

150 / 215

151 / 215

152 / 215

153 / 215

154 / 215

155 / 215

156 / 215

157 / 215

158 / 215

159 / 215

160 / 215

161 / 215

162 / 215

Tennessee Titans linebacker Kamalei Correa (44) is held back by head coach Mike Vrabel as he argues with Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

163 / 215

Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones right, waits to snap the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

164 / 215

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks to line judge Tim Podraza (47) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

165 / 215

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks to line judge Tim Podraza (47) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

166 / 215

167 / 215

168 / 215

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, right, talks to head linesman Patrick Turner (13) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

169 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

170 / 215

171 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) stands with teammates between plays against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

172 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to hand off the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

173 / 215

Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones, center right, waits to snap the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

174 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) tries to make a pass as Buffalo Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) makes the hit during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

175 / 215

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, right, tries to break up a fight between Titans' linebacker Kamalei Correa (44) and Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins (73) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

176 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks on from the bench during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

177 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, top, leaps over Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

178 / 215

Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson intercepts a pass from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, not pictured, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

179 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

180 / 215

181 / 215

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4), with Brett Kern holding, kicks a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

182 / 215

183 / 215

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Williams drops a pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota near the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

184 / 215

Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka, center, talks to Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson, left, as Titans kicker Ryan Succop looks on during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

185 / 215

186 / 215

Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka, center, and holder Corey Bojorquez, left, watch Hauschka's game-winning field goal as Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) reacts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

187 / 215

Buffalo Bills safety Dean Marlowe, right, tackles Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

188 / 215

Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) applies a tackle on Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

189 / 215

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) dives in for a rushing touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

190 / 215

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop celebrates after kicking a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

191 / 215

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Darius Jennings (15) runs for yardage as Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (24) tries to bring him down during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

192 / 215

193 / 215

Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson intercepts a pass from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

194 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, talks to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

195 / 215

196 / 215

Buffalo Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka, right, talks to Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

197 / 215

198 / 215

Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) celebrates his interception on a pass from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, not pictured, with defensive back Kendrick Lewis (28) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

199 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, left, prepares to leap over Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

200 / 215

201 / 215

202 / 215

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) reacts after kicks a field goal against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

203 / 215

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

204 / 215

205 / 215

206 / 215

207 / 215

208 / 215

209 / 215

210 / 215

211 / 215

212 / 215

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel talks to reporters after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills won 13-12. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

213 / 215

214 / 215

215 / 215

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

1 / 277

2 / 277

3 / 277

4 / 277

5 / 277

6 / 277

7 / 277

8 / 277

9 / 277

10 / 277

11 / 277

12 / 277

13 / 277

14 / 277

15 / 277

16 / 277

17 / 277

18 / 277

19 / 277

20 / 277

21 / 277

22 / 277

23 / 277

24 / 277

25 / 277

26 / 277

27 / 277

28 / 277

29 / 277

30 / 277

31 / 277

32 / 277

33 / 277

34 / 277

35 / 277

36 / 277

37 / 277

38 / 277

39 / 277

40 / 277

41 / 277

42 / 277

43 / 277

44 / 277

45 / 277

46 / 277

47 / 277

48 / 277

49 / 277

50 / 277

51 / 277

52 / 277

53 / 277

54 / 277

55 / 277

56 / 277

57 / 277

58 / 277

59 / 277

60 / 277

61 / 277

62 / 277

63 / 277

64 / 277

65 / 277

66 / 277

67 / 277

68 / 277

69 / 277

70 / 277

71 / 277

72 / 277

73 / 277

74 / 277

75 / 277

76 / 277

77 / 277

78 / 277

79 / 277

80 / 277

81 / 277

82 / 277

83 / 277

84 / 277

85 / 277

86 / 277

87 / 277

88 / 277

89 / 277

90 / 277

91 / 277

92 / 277

93 / 277

94 / 277

95 / 277

96 / 277

97 / 277

98 / 277

99 / 277

100 / 277

101 / 277

102 / 277

103 / 277

104 / 277

105 / 277

106 / 277

107 / 277

108 / 277

109 / 277

110 / 277

111 / 277

112 / 277

113 / 277

114 / 277

115 / 277

116 / 277

117 / 277

118 / 277

119 / 277

120 / 277

121 / 277

122 / 277

123 / 277

124 / 277

125 / 277

126 / 277

127 / 277

128 / 277

129 / 277

130 / 277

131 / 277

132 / 277

133 / 277

134 / 277

135 / 277

136 / 277

137 / 277

138 / 277

139 / 277

140 / 277

141 / 277

142 / 277

143 / 277

144 / 277

145 / 277

146 / 277

Tennessee Titans quarterback Blaine Gabbert works out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

147 / 277

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota works out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

148 / 277

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks to Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott prior to an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

149 / 277

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota works out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

150 / 277

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota takes the field to work out prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

151 / 277

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) talks to referee Tony Corrente (99) prior to an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)