When facing a third-and-long, it’s not uncommon for a team to try a relatively safe play, rather than throwing a deep pass and risking a sack or turnover. That’s what the Tennessee Titans seemed to be going for late in the first quarter of Saturday’s Week 18 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then, things got weird.
Joshua Dobbs completed a short pass to Treylon Burks, who was quickly met by Jacksonville’s Darious Williams. But as Burks was on his way to the ground, he launched the ball in the air toward the sidelines and into the awaiting arms of his teammate, Jonathan Ward. Unfortunately for the Titans, it was all for naught, as Burks clearly threw the ball forward and was flagged for an illegal forward pass.
What on earth 🏈🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/F8ieOIdqAq
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) January 8, 2023
This play was reminiscent of what we saw in Week 15’s game between the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders, when New England’s Jakobi Meyers tried a lateral, which produced disastrous results.
Multiple fans noted the similarities.
“What in the actual hell? Burks watching too many Patriots highlights,” John Glennon, who covers the Titans for FanNation Network said.
“Jakobi Meyers walked so Treylon Burks could run What a throw,” tweeted the Pat McAfee show’s Boston Connor.
“Even if that was planned, which it looks like it was, you have to say that was an insane decision by Burks to still lateral it while being twisted down on a tackle. Learn from the Patriots,” said NFL writer Scott Kacsmar.
What in the actual hell? Burks watching too many Patriots highlights.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) January 8, 2023
Jakobi Meyers walked so Treylon Burks could run
What a throw
— Football (@BostonConnr) January 8, 2023
Even if that was planned, which it looks like it was, you have to say that was an insane decision by Burks to still lateral it while being twisted down on a tackle.
Learn from the Patriots.
— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) January 8, 2023
Of course, those weren’t the only observations.
“This was 100% on purpose and a pretty questionable decision!!!” said Will Brinson.
Fellow podcaster Adam Kramer disagreed, saying “That was awesome.”
This was 100% on purpose and a pretty questionable decision!!! pic.twitter.com/kH5k4HyJs2
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) January 8, 2023
That was awesome.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) January 8, 2023
Dan Lucero, a sports talk show host in Kansas, commended the announcing of Joe Buck.
“Joe Buck called this perfectly. The level of bewilderment in his voice is flawless, like he’s the play-by-play guy in a football movie where the quarterback is a dog,” he said.
Another fan, meanwhile, noted that just before the ball was snapped, Troy Aikman commented that the Titans shouldn’t be too risky, noting that they were already in field goal range.
Joe Buck called this perfectly. The level of bewilderment in his voice is flawless, like he’s the play-by-play guy in a football movie where the quarterback is a dog https://t.co/HbSqCANIH8
— Dan Lucero (@danluceroshow) January 8, 2023
“You gotta be smart here”
*chucks ball over head 20 feet in the air* https://t.co/uOpmw1TcLD— #BlackLivesMatter (@Richie59FIFTY) January 8, 2023
Fortunately for Tennessee, this play didn’t have the same horrible results that New England’s did earlier in the season. Burks’ heave was caught by a teammate and while it was a clear penalty, the Titans still managed a field goal. Still, we’re not likely to see this play from Burks and the Titans any time soon.
[Photo Credit: ABC]
