NFL power rankings: 49ers stay even, Patriots fall entering Week 3
By Peter Panacy
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.