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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee's three-game skate is over and the Titans have returned to .500 after a big win on the road.
But before they can catch their breath, the Titans have a short week before hosting the burgeoning New England Patriots in what will be Tennessee's only home game in November.
Coach Mike Vrabel understands the challenge – and the opportunity – that the Titans have against his former coach, Bill Belichick.
"We just went to the surface where there is a bit of air, a little water," Vrabel said Tuesday. "You take a little of both and you can not survive long. But you can survive a few minutes. So we made the following decision to see if we could have our heads completely over the water. "
The Titans (4-4) still follow the Houston Texans (6-3) inside the South AFC, but their 28-14 win at Dallas on Monday night put Tennessee in sixth and last place in the AFC playoffs for the moment. The Titans had a frightening start to the match with two fumbles from Marcus Mariota in their first two attempts to score the highest score of the season after only 31 points in October.
Vrabel credited the Titans with breaking this beginning. Tennessee turned two turnovers into 14 points, collected five sacks and held Ezekiel Elliott to just 61 yards.
Offensively, the young Titans showed serious signs of progress in the project of the offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur.
They converted 11 of 14 attempts in third place for a rate of 78.6%, the best in the NFL this season and tied for the highest level in the league in the last three years. The Titans have amassed the longest franchise since December 9, 2012 at 7-7 in 8 minutes and 55 seconds.
Tennessee scored touchdowns in four of five trips inside the Dallas 20 against a Cowboy defense that has emerged as the second-worst NFL in the red zone. Mariota also completed nine assists and had a career high of 119.9, a high in the season, 240 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for 32 more yards and another score.
"I hope that guys understand where they are going, what they need to do to open and understand when they open it, Marcus will try to give them the ball," he said. Vrabel at the Titans' offensive.
Left tackle Taylor Lewan, who spoke about the Titans who deserved respect after a 3-1 start, said he was just relieved to win a game and return to .500.
"I will definitely keep my mouth (over the lips) closed about this stuff," said Lewan. "Dad has learned his lesson."
Cornerback Logan Ryan said the Titans knew they were in a win-win situation in Dallas and that a win in the NFL could change the game.
"It was a huge win," Ryan said after the match. "We now know that we will have a tough test next week and we will be ready."
The Titans will host the Patriots (7-2) on Sunday before heading back to Indianapolis and Houston. The Patriots routed Tennessee 35-14 in a divisional match of the AFC last January. The Titans, who control the owner, Amy Adams Strunk, have fired Mike Mularkey after this game and have chosen Vrabel to further strengthen this franchise.
"We just have to prepare our players for the game," said Vrabel.
Notes: Vrabel made it clear that he did not like security, Kevin Byard, celebrating his interception by rushing to the star in the middle of the field and posing as Terrell Owens 18 years ago. The coach said he planned to speak again to security and the Titans on Wednesday, and Vrabel said he wanted them to party together.
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