Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) keeps Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) at arms length as he runs for a touchdown at Nissan Stadium Monday, Oct. 18, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. Titans Bills 279
NFLBy Matt Clapp on

The Tennessee Titans beat the Buffalo Bills 34-31 in a fantastic Monday Night Football game. Here are our main takeaways from the Titans’ victory:

Titans stuff Josh Allen in crazy finish

This incredible game featured an appropriately incredible finish. After Derrick Henry scored the go-ahead touchdown for the Titans (more on that later) with just over three minutes remaining, Buffalo kick returner Isaiah McKenzie thought he had a 101-yard touchdown return to give the Bills the lead back. But the Bills were called for holding, wiping out the touchdown.

The Bills were still able to drive down the field into the red zone, and Josh Allen put together an incredible effort to almost get a first down on this crazy run:

Trailing by three on 4th-and-1 at the three-yard line with 22 seconds left, Bills head coach Sean McDermott elected to go for it. But Allen slipped and was stop short by the Tennessee defense, giving the Titans a terrific win.

It was the right call by McDermott to go for the first down and the win, and Allen probably converts that sneak nine times out of 10.

Derrick Henry is otherworldly

Henry had 20 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns, with the first touchdown resulting in the fastest speed by any ball-carrier in the NFL this season, the second touchdown giving the Titans the lead in the third quarter, and the third touchdown serving as the game-winner. He’s just an unbelievable talent with his absurd size-and-speed combo.

Julio Jones makes circus catch, but leaves with hamstring injury

This game featured plenty of amazing plays, and Jones provided one of those with a ridiculous catch after the ball bounced off Buffalo cornerback Micah Hyde’s helmet in the second quarter.

Unfortunately, Jones exited in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. He finished with three receptions for 59 yards and has only topped 60 yards in one game this season, his first with Tennessee.

Josh Allen deserved better

Allen was sensational yet again, completing 35-of-47 passes for 353 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception (which was when he was hit while throwing).

He even caught a two-point conversion.

Taylor Lewan was carted off on a backboard

It was a scary scene as the longtime Tennessee left tackle was down for a while before being carted off the field, but he gave a thumbs up to the crowd and reportedly had movement in all extremities. He was evaluated for a concussion.

Bills’ cakewalk upcoming schedule

This is surely a frustrating loss for the Bills (4-2), but they’ll likely breeze through the next month-plus of their schedule: Bye in Week 7, vs the Miami Dolphins (1-5) in Week 8, at the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) in Week 9, at the New York Jets (1-4) in Week 10, and vs the Indianapolis Colts (2-4) in Week 11.

They also finish off their season with home games against the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) and Jets.

The Bills still have a strong chance to be the AFC’s No. 1 seed, and they lead the NFL in point differential (+105) by a large gap (the 6-0 Arizona Cardinals are next-best at +85, and the Baltimore Ravens are next-best in the AFC at +47).

Titans’ brutal upcoming schedule

Tennessee (4-2) follows this game up by getting to host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 7. No letdown in that schedule arrangement! But, if you have to play Patrick Mahomes, it might as well be at home and while riding high after just beating the Bills.

And it remains tough for the next month: at the Colts in Week 8, at the Los Angeles Rams (5-1) in Week 9, vs the New Orleans Saints in Week 10. The Titans finally get a break from the schedule makers with a home game vs the Houston Texans (1-5) in Week 11.

So, when you consider this upcoming schedule, it makes Monday night’s win look even better for the Titans.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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