The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will return to work on Monday after nearly a full week of rest and recovery on their bye. At the end of the week, they will hit the road once again – part of a five-game, six-week swing away from Tampa – to take on the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The Titans will be trying to build on the momentum of a down-to-the-wire home win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the team's first game since Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback for Marcus Mariota.
Tannehill, the former Dolphins first-rounder, completed 23 of 29 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in his first start as a Titan. He may have helped get another former first-round pick back on track, as six of his completions went to Corey Davis for 80 yards and a touchdown. Tennessee didn't abandon its signature power running game, however, as Derrick Henry ran 22 times for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Even with a strong first start from Tannehill, Tennessee's outstanding defense had to make a goal-line stand at the end of regulation for the home team to get the win. The Chargers had two apparent touchdowns reversed by replay, setting up a second-and-goal from the one with 19 seconds left, at which point Melvin Gordon fumbled away the Chargers' last shot. The Titans improved to 3-4 with the win.
The Buccaneers will play their fourth straight game away from Raymond James Stadium, with one more road trip to Seattle waiting in Week Nine before the team finally returns home on November 10. The Bucs will be trying to snap a two-game losing streak, with the possibility of some players returning from injury after the bye week. It's possible right tackle Demar Dotson will be back in action against the Titans, and outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul – the team's 2018 leader with 12.5 sacks – could return from the reserve/NFI list.
