San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans
· National Football LeagueWill Levis leads two TD drives to help Titans beat 49ers 17-13 in teams' preseason opener
The two scores were a product of not only two big special teams plays, but efficiency in operating a new offense under first-year Titans head coach Brian Callahan.
“We had no penalties until the second half, so that was really cool to see. We’ve got a couple of things we’ve got to clean up. But that was our number one goal, and I felt like we did a good job,” Levis said of the offense.
Levis completed 4 of 5 passes for 35 yards, and capped the Titans' opening drive by scoring on a quarterback sneak.
The 49ers opened the game, going 74 yards in 11 plays with Jordan Mason scoring from 4 yards out. Brandon Allen started at quarterback for the 49ers, who did not play starter Brock Purdy nor any of their first-team skill-position players on offense.
“For the most part, I don’t play any starters in the first game, if you look at the history of how we’ve done it," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. "So, that’s usually how we are, sometimes I might feel differently, based on how things are going but nothing’s changing so far this camp.”
Tennessee answered with a big assist from special teams. On their first return using the NFL’s new kickoff rule, Kearis Jackson broke free through the center of the line for a 63-yard return. The 49ers were penalized 15 yards for sideline interference, setting the Titans up at the San Francisco 15. It took seven plays, and a 49ers defensive holding penalty, before Levis scored Tennessee’s first touchdown on a 1-yard sneak.
After forcing a punt by San Francisco on the next series, the Titans got the football back, and Levis directed a longer scoring drive, taking the Titans 64 yards in seven plays. Levis hit Calvin Ridley for a 22-yard catch and run on third down to get the drive going. Later, newcomer Tony Pollard added runs of 8 and 24 yards on the drive that was capped by Tyjae Spears’ 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter.
“Anytime you can come out and put two scores on the board just to start out with our offense being a new unit with new faces, I think is a positive,” Callahan said. “It’s nice to have success in preseason games. I think it’s important to sustain success and build some winning habits.”
Third-string quarterback Malik Willis directed a scoring drive in the fourth quarter that resulted in 34-yard field goal by rookie Brandon Narveson.
The 49ers answered with a touchdown drive that ended with Joshua Dobb’s 6-yard run into the end zone. The 49ers went for two, but were unsuccessful.
“It’s awesome being healthy,” said Campbell, who tore his ACL during his rookie season, then re-injured the knee four games into last season. “I was just flying around, having fun and playing defense.”
Also, backup defensive tackle Keondre Coleman had a sack and a forced fumble for Tennessee.
The Titans threw the football 29 times, completing 19 for 198 yards between quarterbacks Levis, Rudolph and Willis.
More importantly for the Titans, the offensive line held up well. Tennessee’s only sack allowed came when Willis attempted to scramble and was stopped for a one-yard loss by Kalia Davis. The offensive line yielded 64 sacks last season and was a point of emphasis in the off-season with the hiring of head coach Brian Callahan’s father, Bill, for that role.
“Guys were up and on their stuff. I felt well protected out there,” Levis said of the line’s play.
The second stop came just across midfield when the Niners stuffed running back Jabari Small at the San Francisco 49 with 4:32 left to play in the game.
“Ambry Thomas ended up breaking his forearm. It’ll be some time. That’s all we’ve got right now,” Shanahan said.
The 49ers also have joint practices scheduled this week against the New Orleans Saints, who they face next Sunday.
How can I watch 49ers vs. Titans?
- TV Channel: 49ers at Titans 2021-22 NFL, week 2 is broadcasted nationally on NFL+.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
In Canada, viewers can watch 49ers vs. Titans on DAZN.
Scoring Summary
TD | 1st Period 9:21 | Jordan Mason 4 Yd Run (Jake Moody Kick) | |
TD | 1st Period 6:05 | Will Levis 1 Yd Run (Nick Folk Kick) | |
TD | 2nd Period 14:56 | Tyjae Spears 4 Yd Run (Nick Folk Kick) | |
FG | 4th Period 12:09 | Brayden Narveson 34 Yd Field Goal | |
TD | 4th Period 8:26 | Joshua Dobbs 6 Yd Run (Two-Point Pass Conversion Failed) |
Statistics
SF | TEN | |
---|---|---|
16 | 1st Downs | 19 |
11 | Passing 1st downs | 8 |
5 | Rushing 1st downs | 9 |
0 | 1st downs from penalties | 2 |
4-11 | 3rd down efficiency | 9-17 |
0-2 | 4th down efficiency | 0-2 |
54 | Total Plays | 68 |
286 | Total Yards | 336 |
5.3 | Yards per Play | 4.9 |
9 | Total Drives | 9 |
219 | Passing | 198 |
21/33 | Comp/Att | 19/29 |
6.3 | Yards per pass | 6.6 |
1 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
2-25 | Sacks-Yards Lost | 1-1 |
67 | Rushing | 138 |
19 | Rushing Attempts | 38 |
3.5 | Yards per rush | 3.6 |
2-2 | Red Zone (Made-Att) | 2-4 |
8-48 | Penalties | 3-15 |
1 | Turnovers | 1 |
0 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
1 | Interceptions thrown | 0 |
0 | Defensive / Special Teams TDs | 0 |
24:41 | Possession | 35:19 |
Game Information
Location: Nashville, TN
Attendance: 62,832 · Capacity:
2024 NFC West Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Arizona | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0 | 178 | 205 |
San Francisco | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0 | 210 | 182 |
Seattle | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0 | 190 | 195 |
Los Angeles | 3 | 4 | .429 | 0 | 144 | 174 |
2024 AFC South Standings
TEAM | W | L | PCT | T | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Houston | 6 | 2 | .750 | 0 | 188 | 179 |
Indianapolis | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0 | 175 | 172 |
Jacksonville | 2 | 6 | .250 | 0 | 172 | 224 |
Tennessee | 1 | 6 | .143 | 0 | 120 | 196 |
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