Kyle Van Noy’s dropped interception leads to Titans TD and kills Patriots momentum
New England Patriots fans were so close to being treated to a blowout over the Tennessee Titans. All Kyle Van Noy needed to do was come down with an offering from Ryan Tannehill.
Admittedly, it was far from an easy play. Van Noy’s out-stretched arms made for an acrobatic gesture. He had just about as good of a reaction time as a linebacker could.
But he couldn’t secure the interception with under a minute left in the first half, which would’ve given the Patriots the ball in Titans territory. Van Noy pounded the turf in frustration, knowing he had just missed a golden opportunity.
That would’ve been the Patriots’ second takeaway of the game and would’ve (likely) at least given New England a 19-6 lead at the half.
Kyle Van Noy’s dropped interception was costly for the Patriots.
Instead, on the very next play, seemingly in an effort not to cough it up yet again, the Titans ran a draw play on 3rd and 3 … and Dontrell Hilliard took it 68 yards to the house. All of a sudden, it was 16-13 and the Titans had life.
The offense marched into Titans’ territory with under 40 seconds to go after that touchdown, but Nick Folk missed wide right on a 53-yard field goal, which further deflated Gillette Stadium. The Patriots had been dominating all facets of the game and then came two lapses that cost them points.
From Tulane to the Tennessee Titans! @D_Hilliard26
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 28, 2021
📺: Watch #TENvsNE on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/RzRDWUMHgE
The positives? The defense has largely been a brick wall and the offense continues to move the ball with efficiency even though Tennessee has shut down New England’s rushing attack. Mac Jones has over 200 yards passing and tight end Jonnu Smith is having a game against his former team.
Now it’ll come down to making plays and limiting mistakes. That final 48 seconds of the first half shouldn’t define the game … especially for a Bill Belichick-coached team.
