Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: 49ers stay even, Patriots fall entering Week 3

By Peter Panacy

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots walks off the field during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on September 16, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 16: Kicker Ryan Succop #4 of the Tennessee Titans is congratulated by teammates after scoring a field goal to give the Titans a 20-17 lead over the Houston Texans during the last minute of the second half at Nissan Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 16: Kicker Ryan Succop #4 of the Tennessee Titans is congratulated by teammates after scoring a field goal to give the Titans a 20-17 lead over the Houston Texans during the last minute of the second half at Nissan Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Tennessee Titans. 18. team. 35. . W, 20-17 vs. Texans. Previous:

It’s weird to think backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert actually looked good in relief of the Tennessee Titans’ starter, Marcus Mariota, who was out with an elbow injury.

Gabbert and the Titans got off to a hot start in Week 2, leading 14-0 after the first quarter — a lead they eventually surrendered in the fourth but were able to reclaim, thanks to a couple of field goals by kicker Ryan Succop.

But the real story of the game was how head coach Mike Vrabel and Co. called on a couple of trick plays early, taking advantage of a Houston Texans defense that was looking to feast on Gabbert and a banged-up Titans offense missing tight end Delanie Walker (ankle) for the season.

It worked.

Vrabel now has his first win of his career. And doing so against a Texans team many see as a legitimate AFC South contender, if it remains fully healthy, is certainly notable.