Tennessee Titans topple Tampa Bay Bucs — and Rashad Weaver and Kyle Philips have my attention
In their first game at Nissan Stadium since suffering a divisional-round playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Tennessee Titans came out on top.
The Titans took down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-3 at home Saturday night in their second preseason game.
Here’s what stood out for the Titans (1-1) on Saturday:
More highs, lows with Malik Willis
Like the preseason opener, rookie quarterback Malik Willis had highs and lows in his Nissan Stadium debut.
He hit receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine across the middle for 21 yards on his first throw, but had three straight incompletions and took two sacks after that.
Willis’ best drive was his fifth. He had first-down completions to receivers Dez Fitzpatrick and Kyle Philips and had a 24-yard scramble down the right sideline that helped set up a 32-yard field goal by Randy Bullock, the Titans’ first points of the game.
DERRICK HENRY TALKS JULIO JONES: What Derrick Henry said about Julio Jones after Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers joint practices
FARLEY BOUNCES BACK: Caleb Farley looked dominant in Tennessee Titans' joint practice vs. Bucs on Thursday
JOINT PRACTICES: Fight breaks out between Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers to end joint practices
Willis had his first passing touchdown two drives later, a bullet pass to rookie tight end Chig Okonkwo on a well-blocked play. The drive started at the Tampa Bay 19, thanks to a 38-yard interception return by linebacker Joe Jones.
Willis' night ended after one drive in the third quarter, like the preseason opener. He completed 7 of 17 passes for 80 yards and a touchdown with a 75.6 passer rating. He also scrambled five times for 42 yards.
Rashad Weaver dominates
Second-year outside linebacker Rashad Weaver was arguably the best defensive player on the field.
In the first quarter, he had a sack despite being held. In the second quarter, he got pressure on Bucs quarterback Kyle Trask and hit his arm on a pass play, leading to Jones’ interception.
Weaver had a sack, two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery by halftime.
Logan Woodside had 3 INTs in preseason play
After a two-interception performance in the preseason opener, backup quarterback Logan Woodside struggled to get the offense moving Saturday.
Woodside threw his third interception of the preseason while targeting rookie receiver Treylon Burks, an underthrown ball that was easy for Bucs cornerback Don Gardner to pick off.
Woodside, who finished 7-of-11 for 56 yards, also took a big hit from defensive lineman Willington Previlon on the play.
Kyle Philips flashes shiftiness
Fifth-round rookie Kyle Philips has turned heads in training camp with his ability to get open playing receiver, but he flashed his punt-returning prowess against Tampa Bay.
The former UCLA standout had an electrifying 35-yard punt return in the first quarter to set up the Titans in plus territory at the 46, making several Bucs miss.
Philips has been the Titans' No. 1 punt returner through two preseason games. He averaged 22.6 yards per punt return at UCLA last season, including an 82-yard touchdown.
Another extended look for Caleb Farley
Second-year cornerback Caleb Farley played close to the entire first half. He played 26 defensive snaps, which led all Titans cornerbacks through two quarters, according to ESPN.
The 2021 first-round pick had a strong series on the Bucs’ first drive of the second quarter, delivering a big hit on receiver Tyler Johnson on second down and breaking up a pass to Jaelon Darden on third-and-long to force a punt.
Treylon Burks remains quiet
Burks has barely been involved in the offense through two exhibition games. The first-round pick has one reception for 4 yards, which came Saturday, on four targets in the preseason.
It's possible the former Arkansas star is battling an injury. Late in the game, he wore a wrap on his left leg on the sidelines, the same leg that had been covered by a sleeve during joint-practices this week.
More starters suit up, play
More Titans starters played than in last week’s preseason opener in Baltimore.
Westbrook-Ikhine, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, safety Amani Hooker, tight end Austin Hooper and left tackle Taylor Lewan were among the starters who played after not suiting up against the Ravens. Other key contributors, such as running back Dontrell Hilliard and tight end Geoff Swaim, were also out there for the first time.
Other starters were on the sidelines in jerseys without pads: RB Derrick Henry, QB Ryan Tannehill, C Ben Jones, WR Robert Woods, DL Jeffery Simmons, LB Kevin Byard and LB David Long Jr.
Up next
The Titans have four practices next week, including joint sessions Wednesday and Thursday with the Arizona Cardinals, ahead of their third and final preseason game Aug. 27 at Nissan Stadium.
Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans topple Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first preseason win
