The AFC playoffs characteristic three of the NFL’s brightest younger star quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow appear like the way forward for the NFL for the following decade. They're the quarterbacks able to take over at any time when Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers name it a profession.
Then, there’s Ryan Tannehill.
The 33-year-old Titans quarterback is the AFC playoff get together crasher. Tannehill arrives at Saturday’s divisional spherical matchup with Burrow and the Bengals because the previous man who hardly ever will get talked about in conversations in regards to the recreation’s high quarterbacks. The 2012 first-round decide by the Dolphins was written off way back, however he has skilled a resurgence with the Titans within the final three years and he guided Tennessee to the No. 1 seed in these AFC playoffs, whippersnappers be damned.
“On the finish of the day, I play to win video games,” Tannehill mentioned a couple of weeks in the past. “It could be good to get acknowledged, however I’m not anxious about it. I’m anxious about discovering methods to win video games, lead my crew, be nice in massive moments, crucial moments, and win soccer video games.”
Tannehill has achieved the job in that division. Since taking on for Marcus Mariota because the Titans’ starter in 2019, they're 30-15 within the common season. They've been within the playoffs in every of the previous three years, reaching the AFC Championship recreation in 2019. Tennessee has received the AFC South crown in every of the previous two seasons. Tannehill led a dramatic win over the Texans in Week 18 to clinch the highest seed this yr. He threw for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns within the 28-25 win that gave the Titans a first-round bye.
Tannehill didn't have nearly as good of a season as he did the final two years in Tennessee. His landing passes dropped from 33 to 21 and his interceptions rose from seven to 14. However he was capable of preserve the Titans on monitor after star working again Derrick Henry broke his foot at midseason. Tannehill has needed to cope with a revolving forged of teammates as accidents ravaged the Titans. Vast receiver A.J. Brown missed 4 video games and receiver Julio Jones missed seven.
On the finish of the season, Tannehill performed higher, coinciding with the return of Brown. He threw two landing passes in opposition to the Dolphins in Week 17 and 4 in opposition to the Texans.
“Opposite to fashionable perception, I by no means felt like I misplaced it,” Tannehill mentioned. “I felt good all season, and I believe we've got achieved some good issues right here the previous few weeks to catch our stride a little bit bit. Excited in regards to the momentum we've got gained over the previous few weeks, and hopefully, we will construct on it as we transfer ahead.”
A lot of the consideration on this recreation goes to be centered on the return of Henry and on the rising star on the opposite sideline, Burrow. However this recreation might come all the way down to how the veteran Tannehill operates together with his wideouts in opposition to a Bengals protection that ranked twenty sixth in opposition to the move within the common season.
This shall be Tannehill’s fifth playoff recreation in three years, a definite benefit over his younger counterpart. He is aware of what it takes to win on this spot, having crushed Tom Brady and Lamar Jackson within the 2019 playoffs earlier than falling to Mahomes.
“You need to play your finest soccer late within the season and into the playoffs,” Tannehill mentioned. “I do know the rationale we play this recreation is to go and win a championship. That's the reason I play. I'm chasing after it yr after yr, day after day.”
The horny names within the AFC playoffs are Allen, Mahomes and Burrow. However horny doesn't at all times achieve January, and the veteran Tannehill may be capable to stay a playoff get together crasher for a little bit bit longer.
Post a Comment