NFL Twitter couldn’t believe the Titans managed to lose to the Bengals despite getting nine sacks and QB Ryan Tannehill became their target.
The Tennessee Titans were the top seed in the AFC. They enjoyed a bye week before welcoming the Cincinnati Bengals to Nashville for the Divisional Round.
They had all the advantages and were favored to win by more than a field goal.
So how did they manage to blow out?
After the Bengals won on a walk-off field goal, Titans fans and NFL observers were left to play the blame game. And Ryan Tannehill took the brunt of the abuse.
NFL Twitter blasts Ryan Tannehill for Titans choke job
Tannehill completed 15-of-24 passes for 220 yards but the key stat of the game related to interceptions. He tossed three of them, the last of which set up Cincinnati for a field goal in the final seconds.
The entire game felt like a huge wasted opportunity for a team that was set up for so much more.
Completely wasted chance by #Titans.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 23, 2022
You don’t get two home games to go to the Super Bowl very often. They get nine sacks and lose. Offense has to produce more than 16 points.
The #Titans had nine sacks. And lost. At home.
— Robert Flores (@RoFlo) January 23, 2022
That’s not blowing a 35-3 lead bad, but damn.
The team that took 9 sacks was undeniably better throughout the game, that’s how bad Tanny and the staff were for the Titans.
— Rich Hribar (@LordReebs) January 23, 2022
If you’re gonna force a pass, throw it to the hall of famer or the young superstar.
— Justin Graver (@titansfilmroom) January 23, 2022
Tannehill gave that game away. #Titans D-Line turns in an all-time performance and gets sent home.
There’s a story for every interception but the Titans lost today because of Ryan Tannehill’s 3 INTs. That’s why they are going home today. They got the top seed but one & done.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 23, 2022
Offseason Qs start with how to get more out of passing attack & whether Tannehill can get them there.
The #Titans need a new QB. Tanehill cannot be trusted in pressure packed situations. He just proved it again #NFL
— Shukri Wrights (@ShukriWrights) January 23, 2022
Titans couldn’t have done more to build the perfect system around Tannehill. They gave him everything. He simply isn’t good enough. Time to be aggressive and get a new QB
— Allen Strk (@allenstrk) January 23, 2022
Titans offense just wasted a super bowl caliber defense.
— Lebowski (@MisterLebowski) January 23, 2022
Pathetic last drive. Pathetic at QB. I am furious.
#FireToddDowning and start looking for a new QB @Titans #Titans
— Chris Johnson (@chris94johnson) January 23, 2022
I guess we can forget the Titans
— Frank Fleming (@NjTank99) January 23, 2022
It’s not like Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had an outstanding afternoon. While he threw for 348 yards, he didn’t throw a touchdown. He had one interception and took nine sacks.
The difference was his performance in the clutch. When he got the ball back with 20 seconds remaining, Burrow hit Ja’Marr Chase for a 19-yard gain immediately, putting his kicker in position to win the game.
Tannehill made the costly mistake and Burrow made him pay for it. Because of it, Bengals fans get to gear up for the AFC title game and Titans fans get to spend more time on Twitter ranting about what could have been.