The Titans came into this one with one of the worst defensive red zone records in recent memory, having allowed a score on all 28 opponent red zone trips. That streak looked like it might finally break when the defense stood strong on second and third down, forcing a tough decision on fourth-and-goal. Minnesota went for it, and for a brief moment, it looked like Tennessee got the stop they badly needed. But a flag came flying in. Unnecessary roughness on defender number 44 gave Minnesota a fresh set of downs at the goal line. The hit looked clean on replay, with the defender making contact below the shoulders and the ball coming out as a result. But the refs saw something else.
Tennessee’s coach erupted, yelling at head official Cletus and shouting that the call was garbage. He claimed he had already alerted the league’s officiating SVP Perry Fewell about these types of missed calls, saying “I told Perry” repeatedly during his outburst. The coach was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after demanding an explanation on the field. With the ball back, Minnesota punched it in on a QB sneak, extending the Titans’ record to 29 red zone scores allowed on 29 attempts. Despite what looked like a rare defensive stand, penalties and one questionable call kept the streak painfully alive.