The Tennessee Titans suffered their sixth-straight loss in Week 17, losing to the Dallas Cowboys 27-13, but in that loss there is a reason for optimism going into a division-deciding Week 18 game against the Jaguars.
That reason for optimism is Joshua Dobbs, who stepped into the starting job a little over a week after joining the team and provided a clear upgrade over rookie quarterback Malik Willis, who didn’t show much in three starts.
Dobbs wasn’t perfect by any stretch, but making his outing more impressive was the fact that it was his first career start a little over a week after he arrived, and it came against one of the better defenses in the NFL.
“It’s a unique situation and it’s a wonderful opportunity that I really embrace and have a lot of fun with,” Dobbs said. “There’s obviously things that I know that I can do better and be better at — especially situationally — looking back through the game.
“We’ll dive into that because I know that we have a big one coming up, but I thought through the preparation and the guys, just how we fought throughout the game, that was great to see,” Dobbs continued.
“I mean, shoot, we’re throwing routes out there on the field that we haven’t even thrown in practice with it being a short week,” he added. “Just being able to make those plays, make critical plays throughout the game, will propel us to this upcoming week where we actually have a full week to prepare for the game.”
Here’s what else Dobbs and the Titans had to say about Week 17:
HC Mike Vrabel
Vrabel on decision to start Dobbs: pic.twitter.com/F1wI9WB2Bo
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) December 30, 2022
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel on the loss to the @dallascowboys. pic.twitter.com/YpKJsKUdNk
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2022
Mike Vrabel said once he decided on Josh Dobbs he would have considered going back to Malik Willis if there were issues. They'll weigh out the QB position heading to Jaguars next week. #Titans pic.twitter.com/S0OefP7x6R
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 30, 2022
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel on the decision to place @ryantannehill1 on Injured Reserve. pic.twitter.com/pd53kWK80S
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2022
QB Joshua Dobbs
QB @josh_dobbs1 on his first NFL start with the #Titans pic.twitter.com/e7WRKo0Tvd
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2022
Josh Dobbs said he started to get an idea that he'd get the start on Christmas Day. #Titans pic.twitter.com/ExfKZWf1d6
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 30, 2022
#Titans QB @josh_dobbs1 said @malikwillis supported him leading up to his first career NFL start. pic.twitter.com/LkpsPhWepe
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2022
#Titans QB @josh_dobbs1 on if he expects to start next week vs the @Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/pBOUCpwwsg
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2022
#Titans QB @josh_dobbs1 on keeping the football 🏈 following his first career touchdown pass. pic.twitter.com/dBz0BFSN1d
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2022
S Kevin Byard
Kevin Byard said he plays the game for three reasons. Here's why: pic.twitter.com/zW1dJLNeoU
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 30, 2022
Kevin Byard on Josh Dobbs. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/JX0yHzWFQ5
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 30, 2022
DL DeMarcus Walker
#Titans DeMarcus Walker says this team had a lot of heart tonight:@RamonKaylaWill pic.twitter.com/a1LoLzDrfR
— Kayla Anderson (@KaylaAndersonTV) December 30, 2022
More Week 17 coverage
