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Giants-Titans: What we learned

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Eight sacks, seven points.

That sums up the day for the Tennessee Titans, who dropped their seventh straight game Sunday as the New York Giants ended their seven-game losing streak in LP Field with a 36-7 win which seemed more lopsided.

An offensive line missing both starting tackles resembled a turnstile as New York (4-9) continually found its way to quarterbacks Zach Mettenberger and Jake Locker. Defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Damontre Moore, along with linebacker Devon Kennard, each bagged a pair of sacks.

“We’re just trying to finish up the season strong,” Pierre-Paul said.

That’s a claim Tennessee (2-11) is finding tougher and tougher to make as the blowout losses add up. Its last three defeats have come by a combined 72 points, and this one wasn’t close for most of the day.

The Titans gained just 207 yards and 12 first downs on offense, scoring only when cornerback Marqueston Huff intercepted quarterback Eli Manning and returned it 23 yards with 8:36 left in the third quarter.

“We’ve got to keep working and keep striving to win a game,” said Titans right guard Chance Warmack. “We’re going to stick together as a team and fight through this.”

Whatever fight Tennessee mustered in this one wasn’t close to being enough. The Giants rolled up 402 yards, becoming the second Titans opponent to boast a 100-yard rusher and receiver in the same game.

Rookie running back Andre Williams piled up 131 yards in 24 carries, including a 50-yard touchdown run with 12:06 left in the third quarter that upped the lead to 30-0. Rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. caught 11 passes for 130 yards, scoring the day’s first touchdown on a 15-yard grab from Manning at the 4:41 mark of the first quarter.

Manning was an unspectacular 26 of 42 for 260 yards, but New York didn’t need him to do much more than keep it between the lines to win this one.

“I congratulated the guys on the way they’ve gone about their work,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “They’ve come back in here and kept applying themselves, and today we get to smile for about 10 minutes before we get to work on Washington next week.”

New York had not won since its 30-20 victory over Atlanta on Oct. 5, blowing a 21-0 lead last week in a 25-24 loss at Jacksonville. But there was no danger of losing a huge lead in this one against the reeling Titans.

Tennessee failed to pick up a first down until the second quarter’s first play. It also saw Mettenberger leave with 10:30 remaining in the game after being sacked for the fifth time and reinjuring the right shoulder that was hurt last week on a J.J. Watt sack in Houston.

Mettenberger completed 14 of 24 passes for 125 yards. The Giants converted one of his sacks into a touchdown with 1:07 left in the first quarter as defensive tackle Markus Kuhn picked up a bouncing ball and rumbled 26 yards for a 17-0 lead.

“It’s not easy, and it’s not fun,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

What the Giants said:

“We finally got a win after many weeks of starving.” — Coach Tom Coughlin.

What the Titans said:

“Embarrassing and disheartening.” — Wide receiver Nate Washington.

What we learned about the Giants:

1. Although they aren’t headed to the playoffs, the Giants are still playing hard, and were rewarded with an easy win Sunday. A team which has placed a season-high 20 players on injured reserve physically whipped Tennessee on both sides of the scrimmage line, outrushing it 142-61 and notching eight quarterback sacks. Tom Coughlin-coached teams might not always win championships, but they don’t mail it in at the end of bad seasons, either.

2. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is John Jefferson with speed. The Giants rookie abused the Titans’ secondary for 11 catches and 130 yards, including a 50-yard grab on which he glided by Jason McCourty, who appeared to be in good position until Beckham Jr. materialized behind him. There appears to be nothing Beckham Jr. can’t do when it comes to catching a thrown pass. If and when New York gets good again, he might be one of the NFL’s faces.

–RB Rashad Jennings (ankle) didn’t start and carried just twice for five yards, although his presence wasn’t needed in New York’s 36-7 win at Tennessee. Jennings could be ready for more work next week against visiting Washington.

–RB Andre Williams was the beneficiary of Jennings’ absence, feasting on the league’s worst run defense for 131 yards and a TD in 24 carries. Williams scored on a 50-yard run in the third quarter, going almost untouched off right tackle.

–DE Jason Pierre-Paul had a field day against backup OTs for Tennessee, notching a pair of sacks and finishing with seven tackles. Pierre-Paul also had a QB hurry and forced a fumble.

What we learned about the Titans:

1. Injuries have reduced this team into a shell of what it was, which wasn’t all that great to begin with. Without starting offensive tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Oher, as well as wide receivers Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, the offense might be worse than the Raiders. Tennessee managed no points, 12 first downs and 207 yards against a Giants’ defense which hasn’t exactly been compared to the 1986 version.

2. The Titans must improve dramatically on both lines of scrimmage next year to be competitive. They entered the game ranked 27th in rushing and last in the league against the run. Both weaknesses were exploited Sunday as they were outgained 142-61 on the ground. While the NFL is a passing league, you still have to offer at least the hint of a running game. Tennessee doesn’t do it.

–QB Zach Mettenberger (right shoulder) left with 10:30 remaining after absorbing his fifth sack of the day, courtesy of LB Devon Kennard. Mettenberger, who was 14 of 24 for 125 yards with an interception, is hoping to play next week at home against the New York Jets.

–WR Kendall Wright (hand) was inactive, knocking the Tennessee receiving corps down to three players — Nate Washington, Kris Durham and Derek Hagan. Wright’s status for next week’s game isn’t known yet.

–CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (shoulder) left the game in the first quarter and didn’t return. It’s not known if he’ll be able to play against the Jets next week.

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