Emotional Brian Callahan on Titans win: “Needed it badly”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan did everything he could to contain emotions after his team's 20-17 overtime victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday. Callahan was speechless as he described the second win of his career. It was a different feeling than his first win five weeks ago against the Miami Dolphins.

“I mean, look at me. I needed it bad, man,” Callahan said after the game. “It was, yes, we needed it.”

The victory was not easy. Tennessee led 7-3 at halftime but fell behind after the Patriots opened the second half with a 12-play drive that covered 70 yards over seven minutes, 21 seconds and brought the score to 10-7. The Titans responded with their own seven-minute drive that resulted in a 21-yard field goal, tying the game.

“He puts his heart and soul into it,” quarterback Mason Rudolph said. “Everything is the first time for him. He needs a cold one tonight to enjoy himself and relax because it’s a lot.”

Callahan praised his team's resilience after overcoming injuries to veteran starters like Quandre Diggs and Lloyd Cushenberry III. Team captain Jeffery Simmons said the way the players supported each other when times got tough showed they are a bonded team that has each other's backs.

The Titans allowed a game-winning touchdown at the end of regulation time, sending the game into overtime. But they recovered and drove down the field for another Folks field goal, this one from 25 yards out in overtime, increasing the score to 20-17. The defense redeemed itself when an Amani Hooker interception ended the game. The win brings the Titans record to 2-6.

The adversity began the week before Sunday's game. The Titans had 10 players miss time or be limited in practice. Running back Tony Pollard was one of seven players who still played against New England. He finished with 128 rushing yards, the first 100-yard rushing performance of the season for the Titans.

Callahan again fought back tears as he described Pollard's post.

“Tony Pollard, just to be clear, I mean 154 total yards in practice once this week,” Callahan said. “He’s everything our locker room is about.”