Emotional Brian Callahan on Titans win: “Needed it badly”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan did everything he could to contain emotions after his team's 20-17 overtime victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Callahan was speechless as he described the second win of his career. It was a different feeling than his first win five weeks ago against the Miami Dolphins.

“I mean, look at me. I needed it bad, man,” Callahan said after the game. “It was, yes, we needed it.”

The victory was not easy. The Titans (2-6) allowed Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye on a 5-yard touchdown catch from Rhamondre Stevenson at the end of regulation to tie the game at 17-17. But they recovered and drove down the field in overtime for a 25-yard field goal by Nick Folk. On the Patriots' ensuing possession, the Titans defense retaliated with an Amani Hooker interception to end the game.

“He puts his heart and soul into it,” Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph said. “It’s all just the first time for him. He needs a cold one tonight to enjoy himself and relax because that’s a lot.”

Callahan praised his team's resilience, which overcame injuries to veteran starters like Quandre Diggs and Lloyd Cushenberry III. Team captain Jeffery Simmons said the way the players supported each other when times got tough showed they are a bonded team that has each other's backs.

Tennessee led 7-3 at halftime but fell behind 10-7 after the Patriots opened the second half with a 12-play drive that covered 70 yards over seven minutes, 21 seconds. The Titans responded with their own seven-minute drive that resulted in a 21-yard field goal to tie the game.

The adversity began the week before Sunday's game. The Titans had 10 players miss time or be limited in practice. Running back Tony Pollard was one of seven players who still played against New England. He finished the game with 128 rushing yards, the first 100-yard performance of the season for the Titans.

Callahan again fought back tears as he described Pollard's post.

“Tony Pollard, just to be clear, I mean 154 total yards, once this week in practice,” Callahan said. “He’s everything our locker room is about.”