National Football League

Thursday Night Football Top Plays: Titans edge 49ers

Updated Dec. 23, 2021 11:22 p.m. ET

Kicking off Week 16 of the NFL season, it was a showdown in Nashville as the Tennessee Titans narrowly escaped the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 on Thursday Night Football.

With the win, the Titans snapped the 49ers' five-game winning streak and are now 7-2 in their past eight non-conference games (4-1 this season).

San Francisco drops to 8-7 on the season, while Tennessee becomes one of the just seven double-digit win teams in the league.

Tennessee Titans 20, San Francisco 49ers 17

FIRST QUARTER

The 49ers got things going, charging downfield with lots of help from none other than Deebo Samuel.

That 23-yard gain set up the short touchdown from Jeff Wilson Jr., and San Francisco took an early 7-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Nick Bosa was just doing Nick Bosa things.

Just as the 49ers were about two make it a two-score game, Jimmy Garoppolo's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Janoris "Jackrabbit" Jenkins, and the Titans got the ball right back.

Tennessee wasn't able to capitalize on the turnover, going three-and-out on the ensuing drive.

SECOND QUARTER

Samuel continued to dazzle on the field, making one big play after the next for San Francisco.

Then, the 49ers added a field goal midway through the second to extend their lead to 10-0 at the break.

THIRD QUARTER

The Titans came up with a huge third-down conversion midway through the third, which resulted in a field goal to avoid the shutout and make it a one-score game.

On the 49ers' following drive, Titans defensive back Amani Hooker came up with another pick on San Francisco's side of the field.

The interception was a game-changer for the Titans, as D'Onta Foreman capitalized on the turnover by punching in their first TD of the night on this short scamper.

The Titans wasted no time charging downfield after the 49ers turned the ball over on downs after the TD.

First, Ryan Tannehill dropped a 42-yard bomb to A.J. Brown in his first game back from injured reserve.

FOURTH QUARTER

Then, the Titans took the lead early in the final frame when Tannehill found Brown once again, this time for six.

Garoppolo hit Samuel for a monster 56-yard gain, but misfortune struck when the star wideout was injured on the play before reaching the end zone.

The 49ers were still able to get it done, however, as Garoppolo found a wide-open Brandon Aiyuk to tie things once again just ahead of the two-minute warning.

It all came down to the final seconds. The Titans nailed a 44-yard field goal to seal the deal for Tennessee.