Week 11 Key Plays in the Tennessee Titans' Narrow Loss

The Tennessee Titans’ Week 11 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals was a thriller that came down to the final seconds—a 27-24 loss that stung not just for the result, but for the moments that could have flipped the game in their favor. From a electrifying opening drive to a controversial late penalty, the game was defined by key plays that showcased the Titans’ resilience while highlighting the small gaps that separated victory from defeat. Week 11 Key Plays in the Tennessee Titans' Narrow Loss breaks down the five most pivotal moments of the afternoon, each of which shaped the outcome and left Titans fans wondering what might have been. For a team fighting for a playoff spot, these plays weren’t just blips on the schedule—they were reminders of how fine the line between winning and losing is in the NFL.

Week 11 Key Plays in the Tennessee Titans' Narrow Loss begins with the Titans’ opening drive, a statement of intent that had fans roaring early. After forcing the Bengals to punt on their first possession, the Titans took over at their own 25-yard line and marched 75 yards in 10 plays, capped off by a 12-yard touchdown pass from Cam Ward to DeAndre Hopkins. The drive was a masterclass in balance: Derrick Henry carried five times for 38 yards, including a bruising 15-yard run that flattened Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, while Ward completed all four of his passes for 37 yards, including the perfectly placed touchdown to Hopkins in the corner of the end zone. “That drive showed what we’re capable of,” Ward said after the game. “We moved the ball efficiently, we stayed patient, and we executed when it counted.” The touchdown gave the Titans a 7-0 lead just 6:23 into the game, setting a tone that suggested they might control the afternoon. Unfortunately, it would be one of only two offensive touchdowns the Titans would score all day.

Week 11 Key Plays in the Tennessee Titans' Narrow Loss continues with a defensive stand late in the second quarter that prevented the Bengals from taking a two-score lead. With the Bengals leading 14-7 and driving deep into Titans territory—first-and-goal at the 8-yard line—Titans defensive end Denico Autry made a game-changing play. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow dropped back to pass, looking for tight end Hayden Hurst in the end zone, but Autry beat his blocker, reached around Burrow’s shoulder, and swatted the ball away mid-throw. The deflection fell into the hands of Titans safety Kevin Byard, who returned it 22 yards to the Titans’ 30-yard line. “That interception was huge—we needed a spark on defense,” Autry said. “Burrow is a great quarterback, so you have to take advantage of every small window you get. I just tried to get my hand up and make a play.” The turnover led to a 47-yard field goal by Nick Folk, cutting the Bengals’ lead to 14-10 at halftime. It was a moment that kept the Titans in the game, but it also highlighted their struggles to convert defensive stops into offensive points—a theme that would repeat later in the afternoon.

Week 11 Key Plays in the Tennessee Titans' Narrow Loss shifts to a third-quarter offensive miscue that let the Bengals extend their lead. With the Titans trailing 17-10 and driving at the Bengals’ 35-yard line, Ward dropped back to pass on third-and-5, looking for Hopkins over the middle. But Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt read the play perfectly, stepped in front of Hopkins, and intercepted the pass, returning it 41 yards to the Titans’ 24-yard line. Three plays later, Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 10-yard touchdown, pushing the Bengals’ lead to 24-10. “That interception was on me,” Ward admitted. “I forced the throw when I should have checked down to Derrick. It’s a mistake I can’t make, especially in a close game.” The play was a turning point because it erased the momentum the Titans had built after a Folk field goal earlier in the quarter. For the Tennessee Titans, it was also a reminder of how costly turnovers can be—especially against a team like the Bengals, who excel at capitalizing on opponent mistakes. “We talk all week about protecting the ball, but we didn’t do that on that play,” Titans head coach Brian Callahan said. “It’s a lesson we have to learn fast if we want to make the playoffs.”

Week 11 Key Plays in the Tennessee Titans' Narrow Loss delves into a fourth-quarter comeback attempt that nearly paid off, led by a crucial Henry run. Trailing 27-17 with 5:12 left in the game, the Titans faced fourth-and-1 at their own 45-yard line. Callahan made the aggressive call to go for it, and Henry delivered, plowing through two Bengals defenders for a 3-yard gain to keep the drive alive. “We believed in Derrick there—he’s made that play a hundred times,” Callahan said. “We needed to keep the drive going, and he came through.” The run sparked a 55-yard drive that ended with Ward hitting tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo for a 7-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-24 with 2:08 remaining. For the Tennessee Titans, the play was a reminder of Henry’s value as a closer—his ability to get tough yards when the team needs them most. “Derrick is a warrior,” Ward said. “When we need a yard, we know we can give it to him and he’ll get it. That run gave us a chance to win.” Unfortunately, the Titans’ defense couldn’t stop the Bengals on the ensuing drive, and Cincinnati ran out the clock to seal the victory.

Week 11 Key Plays in the Tennessee Titans' Narrow Loss wraps up with a controversial penalty call in the final minute that might have changed the outcome. After the Titans scored their second touchdown, they attempted an onside kick, and Folk’s kick bounced off a Bengals player before being recovered by Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks. But the officials flagged Burks for illegal touching, ruling he had gone out of bounds before making the catch—a call that replays appeared to contradict. “I thought I was in bounds the whole time,” Burks said. “It’s a tough call to swallow, especially when it’s the difference between getting another chance to win and going home empty-handed.” The penalty gave the Bengals the ball at the Titans’ 45-yard line, and they ran out the final 2:08 to secure the win. For the Tennessee Titans, the call was a bitter end to a game that had been filled with ups and downs. “We played hard, we fought back, and we had our chances,” Callahan said. “But in the NFL, you need a little luck too, and we didn’t get it today.” While the loss dropped the Titans to 5-5 on the season, it also highlighted their resilience—a trait that could serve them well in the final stretch of the playoff race. In the end, Week 11 was a reminder that in the NFL, key plays can define a season—and for the Titans, the lessons from this narrow loss will be critical as they push for a spot in the postseason.