Atlanta Falcons hold on in ugly 10-7 win over Tennessee Titans
It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t dominant, but the Atlanta Falcons will take it. In what became a defensive battle, the Falcons did enough to defeat the Tennessee Titans 10-7 to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Devonta Freeman was again the most consistent performer on offense, rushing 25 times for 116 yards. That was about as good as it got on offense for Atlanta. Matt Ryan wasn’t at his best again, being intercepted twice.
Any time you put up just 10 points in a game, you can’t expect to win. Thankfully, the defense was able to keep the struggling Titans offense in check. QB Zach Mettenberger, playing in relief on the injured Marcus Mariota, went 22-of-35 for 187 yards, a touchdown and two picks.
The Falcons, who entered the game with just seven sacks on the season, managed just one up against a struggling offensive line. But when it mattered, the defense came up with the all important play.
Up 10-7, Julio Jones appeared to break the plane, but upon further review it was determined his foot was out of bounds. It would be third-and-1 from the Tennessee 1-yard line, and the Falcons decided to run the ball with fullback Patrick DiMarco. He failed to punch it in. On fourth down, Atlanta decided to pass and TE Jacob Tamme was unable to haul it in; Matt Ryan was picked off in the end zone.
The Titans would turn it over on downs, but the next Falcons possession would result in a missed field goal by Matt Bryant. Tennessee had the chance to win, or at least tie it up with a field goal, but Mettenberger was picked off by Robenson Therezie. Ballgame.
It was ugly, but it doesn’t matter. The Atlanta Falcons are 6-1.