Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing was arrested and charged with DUI just hours after helping guide the team to a 27-17 win over the Green Bay Packers on “Thursday Night Football.” Tennessee Highway Patrol conducted a traffic stop around 2:30 a.m. Friday morning after officers observed Downing “traveling at a high rate of speed” on Interstate 65. Downing went through the intake process at 4:36 a.m. and posted bail at 6:46 a.m.
“We are aware of the reports regarding Todd Downing and are in the process of gathering additional information,” the Titans said in a statement.
It was a nice win for the Titans on the “Thursday Night Football” stage, but they are the better team. You celebrate every win, because it’s hard. But getting tanked after a regular season game and driving?
The Titans did have their best offensive output of the season. They came into the game ranked 21st in offensive DVOA, 17th in passing and 16th in rushing.
The team totaled 408 yards, converted 7 of 13 on third down and scored four offensive touchdowns. Downing pulled out trick plays and everything.
TODD DOWNING IN HIS 💼 pic.twitter.com/oP23yrT0Cx
— Austin Nelson (@austinnelson) November 18, 2022
No further details about the arrest have been made public.
At 7-3 the Titans are atop the AFC South and tied with the Miami Dolphins for the second-best record in the conference. This team has won two straight and has its sights set on getting back to the AFC Ghampionship game and possibly a Super Bowl.
All of that begins with their skill position players on offense and their leader, All-Pro running back Derrick Henry. In the win over the Packers he became the first running back this season to hit 1,000 yards, and he scored his 10th rushing touchdown for the fifth consecutive season.
“It felt good,” Henry said of the win. “On a short week, we came in determined, paying attention to the little details and focused on getting better. We came into a great environment, a hostile environment, and we were able to get the win. We played a great game as a team.”
Despite the Packers being sub-.500 any win over future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field is a good win.
But for Henry it’s not about the individual glory. He uses the doubt from when he was a kid to fuel him to be the best he can be for the team. His goal is to do whatever he can to help the team win and reach the ultimate prize.
“It’s something that will continue to drive me,” Henry said. “I’m always motivated. Every single day I am constantly critiquing myself — every single day, and that will never stop. I want to be the best that I can be to help this team win. I’m always looking for something to fuel me.”
The Titans are ranked ninth in defensive DVOA. If they can get that offense into the top-10 watch out. Top 10 in offense and defense with a running game that’s hard to stop is a recipe for success, even in a pass-happy league.
ESPN’s NFL Live crew talked about how teams that can run the ball, given how passing has changed the types of players we see on the field, have a nice advantage right now.
One of the coolest conversations I’ve ever been a part of on TV, again.
@minakines @realrclark25 @mspears96 @laurarutledge pic.twitter.com/dncFb3F89d— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 16, 2022
The Titans’ next game is Nov. 27 against the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
