Getty Image / Courtney Culbreath
The Tennessee Titans seasons never should’ve come down to Josh Dobbs. After all, the quarterback wasn’t even on the roster until the last few weeks of the season.
And, the Titans started 7-3, well on their way to a playoff berth and AFC South Title for the third straight season. But, starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffered an injury, and rookie Malik Willis proved to be awful.
So, with two games left in the season, the Titans went to Josh Dobbs. Dobbs, who was drafted by the Steelers in 2017 and spent most of his career there, spent most of this season with the Browns. But, the rocket scientist (no, seriously, his degree from Tennessee is in Aerospace Engineering), was waived after Deshaun Watson returned from suspension. He was picked up by the Lions and put on the practice squad in early December. Then, Tennessee signed him with the hope he could get the team into the playoffs by beating the Jaguars in week 18.
That’s not what happened, unfortunately.
Josh Dobbs made a boneheaded decision on the deciding play of the Titans season
All things considered, the quarterback did not play that poorly. He was 20/29 for 179 yards and one touchdown and an interception, good for a QBR of 67.1.
That was good enough to give Tennessee a late 16-13 lead. But, this strip sack that was picked up by Josh Allen and returned for a touchdown gave the Jaguars the late lead.
Rayshawn Jenkins with a strip-sack that could send the Jaguars to the playoffs pic.twitter.com/bnoELtndUh
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) January 8, 2023
But, that wasn’t the lowlight for Dobbs. That would come on the next drive, the final one of the Tennessee season.
Facing a 4th and 13 and needing to convert to keep the season alive, he decided to throw the ball into the flat. Of course, it didn’t work.
The @Jaguars defense gets the stop on 4th down!
📺: #TENvsJAX on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/7G4GCGiaVR pic.twitter.com/CifjjKmM0o— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2023
Oh no. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that you shouldn’t throw in the flat on 4th and 13 with the season on the line.
WTH Dobbs! You can’t throw that short. Wooowwwww
— Mike DeSantis (@MichaelDeSantis) January 8, 2023
Been not checking it down all game and now he decides to check it down
— Niko (@Kneekoa) January 8, 2023
Bro threw it to the flat on 4th and 13 😂😂
— Tish (@SpaceboyTyy) January 8, 2023
Better luck next year, Titans. Jacksonville clinches the AFC South and will host a playoff game next week.