The defending Super Bowl champs came to town on Sunday, and the Titans didn’t flinch.
The Titans stood toe-to-toe with the Denver Broncos, and when it was over the Titans walked away with a critical 13-10 win.
The Titans improved to 7-6 with the victory, and remained in a first-place tie in the AFC South with three games left to play.
They ended up clinching it late when linebacker Avery Williamson stripped Broncos tight end A.J. Derby in the closing minute, and safety Daimion Stafford recovered it. The Titans ran out the clock, and the Nissan Stadium crowd celebrated wildly.
The Titans led from the start.
After forcing a three-and-out on defense, the Titans drove the field on their opening possession and scored on a one-yard touchdown run by running back DeMarco Murray to take a 7-0 lead. The run capped off an 11-play, 70-yard drive that included a 23-yard reception from tight end Delanie Walker on third down.
On Denver’s next possession, Titans safety Rashad Johnson forced a fumble by running back Justin Forsett, and cornerback Jason McCourty jumped on the loose football.
A few plays later, Titans kicker Ryan Succop connected on a 53-yard field goal to give the Titans a 10-0 lead with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter.
The Titans made it 13-0 just before halftime with Succop hit a 41-yard field goal, which capped off an impressive 19-play, 74-yard drive that took 8:04 off the clock.
The two teams played a scoreless third quarter.
After the Titans finished off a goal-line stand on defense early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos got the ball back on a short field and made quick work with a five-play, 26-yard drive.
A three-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Trevor Siemian to receiver Emmanuel Sanders made it 13-7 with 9:58 remaining.
The Titans held the Broncos out of the end zone with a big defensive stand late in the game. After Denver reached the Tennessee 7, rookie linebacker Aaron Wallace sacked Siemian on first down before safety Da’Norris Searcy and cornerback Brice McCain made nice plays in coverage to hold the Broncos, who were forced to settle for a 34-yard field goal from kicker Brandon McManus to make it 13-10 with 4:33 left.
Titans punter Brett Kern pinned Denver back at their own two-yard line with a late punt, and the Broncos were stopped when the Titans forced the fumble.
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 6-of-20 passes for 88 yards in the game.
The Titans travel to Kansas City next Sunday to face the Chiefs.
