The Tennessee Titans took a risk at the end of regulation in their game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and it did not pay off.
After his team scored a touchdown with around 30 seconds remaining to make the score 20-19, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel decided he wanted nothing to do with overtime in London. He opted for the two-point conversion attempt instead of kicking an extra point, and Tennessee was unable to convert.
The play-calling was more baffling than the decision itself. The Titans called a pass play on their first attempt, and a defensive holding in the end zone gave them another shot with the ball at the 1-yard line. Rather than trying to pound it in with Derrick Henry, they called another pass play.
After the touchdown & a gutsy call to go for a 2 point conversion by @Titans, @chargers are going to win this 20-19 when the 2-pointer doesn’t pay off. Very good game, crazy finish. Right decision by Tennessee? #nfluk pic.twitter.com/snaE7V1G3Q
— Mike White (@mikewhitesport) October 21, 2018
Twitter was not kind to Vrabel or Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur:
Titans went for 2 and lost by a point pic.twitter.com/NCjvbrnnK2
— Brad Page (@GoBPage) October 21, 2018
No idea why the Titans have Derrick Henry and don’t use him more on SY/GL situations? On the 1yd line and you throw it and he’s not even on the field! Wow!
— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) October 21, 2018
I said it on our show, but why go for two? two AFC teams that can have playoff implications. Hated the call by the Titans.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) October 21, 2018
Get it how Vrabel is trying to make Titans the grittiest team in the NFL. But when you grind that hard over several plays to almost tie the game, it's counterintuitive to put everything on one play again.
— SN's Vinnie Iyer (@vinnieiyer) October 21, 2018
#Titans fans embracing their Lynch moment. “Run the ball”. pic.twitter.com/0GvRIsRatl
— Brian Smith WTVC (@StormTrackBrian) October 21, 2018
The Titans have RBs and still don't run it. Fundamental issues of coaching just doesn’t occur in Houston.
— patrick (@PatDStat) October 21, 2018
Two of the worst play calls ever on those 2-point attempts. My goodness. #Titans
— Nick Mensio (@NickMensio) October 21, 2018
I don't know how the Titans don't run it there with Derrick Henry. They needed ONE YARD!
— Dave Richard (@daverichard) October 21, 2018
The QB sneak was WIDE OPEN to the right on that second 2-point attempt. Run the ball there. What an idiotic team. #Titans
— Nick Mensio (@NickMensio) October 21, 2018
Seems like a low percentage throw to go with there on a 2-pointer from the 1, especially given the investment the Titans have in their offensive line.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 21, 2018
Wonder if @Titans are going to trade Henry this week… what’s the point of having him on roster when you don’t use him in that situation? pic.twitter.com/1HIE6Bk4zX
— Will Lairamore (@WcLairamore) October 21, 2018
The Titans already won an overtime game earlier this season, but obviously Vrabel did not want to risk going to OT and not touching the ball.
