NWI's redemption — and 3 other takeaways as Tennessee Titans batter Broncos | Estes

Four observations from the Tennessee Titans’ 17-10 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.

Saving the day: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine?

After the loss in Kansas City last Sunday, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was upset with himself for failing to make a tough catch that slipped through his hands. Wasn’t just him. None of the Titans wide receivers had a catch against the Chiefs.

So I can’t imagine many fantasy football lineups Sunday included Westbrook-Ikhine, who stepped up with the best game of his career when the Titans (6-3) had to have it.

NWI’s 119 receiving yards and two touchdowns on five catches — along with another solid effort from the Titans' defense and pass rush — rescued the team from what would have been a particularly nasty defeat. NWI's 9-yard TD to end the first half was a nice toe-drag catch — and it was clutch, coming on third-and-goal. Then he was all alone in the secondary for a 63-yard touchdown on a flea-flicker that put the Titans ahead for the first time.

It was the first 100-yard receiving game for a Titans receiver in nine games this season.

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Quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s return after a two-game absence didn’t drastically improve the Titans’ offensive scoring, but it did boost the production of the passing game. Receivers Westbrook-Ikhine, Treylon Burks and Robert Woods each had multiple receptions Sunday. Tight end Austin Hooper also had five catches for 41 yards.

About that (wobbly) offense

As for Tannehill, his ankle looked healthy enough. He had 255 yards on 19-of-36 passing and scrambled at one point for an 11-yard gain while withstanding consistent pressure from Broncos defenders. It was often too much pressure, in fact, as pass protection problems continued to hinder a Titans offense that just isn’t very good, with or without Tannehill at quarterback.

Most of Sunday was ugly, honestly, even by this season’s offensive standards.

The newest — and biggest — issue Sunday was an inability to get Derrick Henry going after five consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Oddly enough, the Titans leaned more early on the pass and Tannehill than the run and Henry. Neither worked particularly well in the first half. After their first six possessions Sunday, the Titans had punted six times and accumulated only 51 net yards while going three-and-out four times.

As much as the Titans' offense struggled, it was driving in the fourth quarter up 14-10, about to put away the game. And then on third-and-2, the Titans opted to put backup quarterback Malik Willis in the game cold. A botched play and potential handoff was fumbled. The Broncos recovered, keeping them in the game. It was yet another too-cute offensive play call by the Titans, at an awful time for an awful result.

The Titans did find a way, though. Either on NWI's touchdowns or a huge 41-yard completion to rookie tight end Chig Okonkwo in the fourth quarter that set up a field goal to push the lead to 17-10 with 2:59 remaining.

Much of the credit, of course, belonged to ...

About that (beat-up) defense

Credit the Titans’ defense for playing well Sunday despite the absence of several key contributors, including star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, edge rusher Bud Dupree and cornerback Kristian Fulton. That didn’t prevent the Titans from harassing Russell Wilson all afternoon. They finished the day with six sacks and it could have been more, considering they had 18 QB hits.

Linebacker David Long Jr. was knocked out of the game at times in the fourth quarter by a stinger – and was visibly frustrated as he tried to fight through it.

And cornerback Elijah Molden, who has been fighting a groin injury, was activated for this game — and started as the slot defensive back — but exited in the second half with, again, a groin injury.

Even more Ryan Stonehouse

As the teams traded punts for much of Sunday’s game, the most impactful player for the Titans might have been rookie punter Ryan Stonehouse. He averaged 52.7 yards on six first-half punts and put three of them inside Denver’s 20. After a 74-yarder by Stonehouse rolled into the end zone, he actually looked to the sideline hitting his chest, as if to say “My bad” that it wasn’t downed shy of the goal line.

Then to start the second half, Stonehouse took over kickoff duties from Randy Bullock, who appeared to be less than 100% healthy. Stonehouse booted his first kickoff into the end zone for a touchback.

This kid continues to be one of the best decisions the Titans have made in 2022.

Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and on Twitter @Gentry_Estes.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Tennessee Titans battered Denver Broncos in four key takeaways