If it seemed just like the Inexperienced Bay Packers had turned their season round with final week’s time beyond regulation win towards the Dallas Cowboys, their subsequent sport towards the Tennessee Titans informed a distinct story.
The Titans visited the Frozen Tundra on Thursday and gained 27-17 having led from begin to end. They’re now 7-3 after opening the season with two losses, whereas the Packers, who ended a five-game shedding streak towards the Cowboys, fall to 4-7.
The Packers recovered from 14 factors down towards the Cowboys and it appeared as if one other comeback was on the playing cards towards the Titans, as they rallied from 20-9 to 20-17 within the third quarter.
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However Tennessee pulled clear when Ryan Tannehill hit Austin Hooper for the tight finish’s second landing of the night time and the Titans’ first fourth-quarter landing this season.
“The season’s not over. There are nonetheless six alternatives left,” Inexperienced Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers informed reporters about his group’s possibilities of making the playoffs.
“We’ve acquired a tricky sport; we’ve acquired to go to Philly. Hopefully these few days we are able to get somewhat more healthy, refresh the thoughts, after which clearly we’ve acquired to win these subsequent video games.”
The Titans opened the scoring when Tannehill, who ended the night time 22-of-27 passing for 333 yards, discovered Dontrell Hilliard, however the Packers responded late within the first quarter by rookie large receiver Christian Watson.
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Derrick Henry prolonged the Titans’ lead earlier than enjoying a hand within the group’s third landing with a three-yard go to Hooper.
Henry ran for 87 yards in Thursday’s sport, taking him previous 1,000 yards for the season.
Rodgers discovered Watson once more within the third quarter earlier than Hooper closed out the win for Tennessee, which recorded its highest factors whole of the season.
“I assumed everyone that performed contributed and helped in an enormous method,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel informed reporters.
“There’s an amazing demand that will get placed on these guys,” he added. “I do know that they’re wanting ahead to the remaining, they’ve positively earned it, and we’ve got to return again on a vacation week and be sure that we’re ready to play nice towards Cincinnati.”
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That sport towards the Bengals takes place at Nissan Stadium on November 27.
Former Tennessee defensive back Jordan Matthews committed to Vanderbilt on Wednesday. He’s the second Tennessee transfer to announce a commitment to a new school, following Kaleb Webb, who committed to Maryland on Wednesday.
Matthews, a redshirt freshman from Baton Rouge, La., appeared in 12 games this season as a reserve defensive back and special teams player, recording 3.0 tackles and breaking up two passes.
He broke up both passes in the season-opening win over Chattanooga on August 31, recorded two tackles against Kent State on September 14 and had one tackle against the Mocs.
BREAKING: Tennessee transfer CB Jordan Matthews has Committed to Vanderbilt, he tells @on3sports
The 6’2 190 CB will have 3 years of eligibility remaining
Matthews was a four-star prospect in the 2023 class. He was ranked No. 143 overall, No. 16 at corner and No. 7 in the state of Louisiana, out of Woodlawn High School in Baton Rouge. He picked Tennessee over LSU, Texas and Michigan.
The Vols have added one player out of the portal so far, getting Arizona offensive lineman Wendell Moe on Wednesday. Moe started 27 games over three seasons at Arizona. He was named All-Pac-12 second team in 2023 as a redshirt freshman and played 760 snaps this season.
Matthews is one of eight Vols that have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal since the portal window opened, and is the first to announce his commitment to a new school.
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Tennessee players in NCAA Transfer Portal won’t play for Vols in playoff
Other Tennessee players that have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal so far include receivers Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod and Nathan Leacock, freshman linebacker Jalen Smith, redshirt freshman defensive back Jordan Matthews, sophomore running back Khalifa Keith and freshman offensive lineman Vysen Lang.
Webb initially committed to Wake Forest last week, but after the retirement of Wake coach Dave Clawson, he switched his commitment to Maryland.
Head coach Josh Heupel said on Monday that Tennessee players that have or are entering the portal will not play for the Vols at Ohio State Saturday night in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC/ESPN.
Tennessee last offseason lost 13 players to the NCAA Transfer Portal and added 10 players out of the portal, including tight ends Miles Kitsleman (Alabama) and Holden Staes (Notre Dame) and defensive backs Jermod McCoy (Oregon State) and Jalen McMurray (Temple). The Vols also added Lance Heard (LSU) at offensive tackle and Jaxson Moi (Stanford) on the defensive line.
US LBM Coaches Poll: How SMU earned a CFP nod over Alabama
The final regular season US LBM Coaches Poll is here and Paul Myerberg breaks down the top storylines now that the CFP bracket is set.
Sports Pulse
In one of four College Football Playoff first-round games, the Tennessee Volunteers will travel to Columbus, Ohio to face the Ohio State Buckeyes for a Saturday night SEC vs. Big Ten matchup.
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Despite a challenging season, Ohio State secured the No. 8 seed in the playoffs despite suffering a 13-10 loss to Michigan in its final game of the regular-season. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard struggled to move the Buckeyes’ offense, finishing with a completion rate of 57.6%, one touchdown and two interceptions. Following the game, tensions escalated, resulting in fights breaking out on both sides.
Tennessee, which secured the No. 9 seed, is a formidable opponent. The Volunteers ended their season with a 36-23 victory over in-state rival Vanderbilt. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava had a standout performance, completing 18 of 26 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns.
But, the playoffs are a new beast and provide a reset for both teams as they set their sights on playing for a national championship in January. The first test comes this weekend as the Buckeyes and Volunteers battle in the first round.
WHO WINS THE CFP? Ranking the 12 national championship contenders
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CFP first-round predictions: Ohio State vs. Tennessee
USA Today: No. 8 Ohio State over No. 9 Tennessee
Paul Myerberg writes: “This is the premier pairing of the opening round and a nice barometer of how playoff games could unfold between the best of the best in the Big Ten and SEC. Given two evenly matched teams with similar traits, two factors will make the difference in Ohio State’s favor: homefield advantage and a more credible offense. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard has more experience and better skill options. But another big game from Volunteers signal caller Nico Iamaleava could easily shift this game in the opposite direction.”
ESPN: Ohio State has 65% chance to win
According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Ohio State Buckeyes have a 65.5% chance to beat the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
College Football Network: Ohio State 27, Tennessee 23
Will Helms writes: “To be clear, I think Ohio State’s offense is capable of moving the ball down the field through the air, but Tennessee’s defensive line could feast against a reshuffled Buckeyes O-line. But I also trust Kelly to find ways to scheme open elite playmakers like Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. If this becomes a close game, Ohio State’s experience can make a difference. However, I like the Volunteers as one of the best bets of the opening round. The Buckeyes’ experience and depth should help them close this out, but take the Volunteers to cover in a close one that ticks over.”
Sports Illustrated: Tennessee Volunteers
James Parks writes: “Tennessee +7.5 … We’re taking the Vols to win straight-up on the road given their outright advantage on a very dominant defensive front, which should overpower a Buckeyes offensive line down two key starters to injury, while Dylan Sampson and Tennessee’s gifted ground game do the rest.”
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CFP first-round odds, lines: Ohio State vs. Tennessee
The Ohio State Buckeyes are favorites to defeat the Tennessee Volunteers, according to the BetMGM college football odds.
Odds as of Wednesday, Dec. 18.
Spread: Ohio State (-7.5)
Moneylines: Ohio State (-300); Tennessee (+240)
Over/under: 46.5
How to watch Ohio State vs. Tennessee in CFP first round
Date: Saturday, Dec. 21
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ABC/ESPN
Stream: ESPN+ and Fubo
Where: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, OH)
Catch CFP games with a Fubo subscription
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May 20, 2024: Meet Millersville’s conspiracy cop. He imagines sinister plots involving some of the country’s most prominent political figures. Taylor recently landed in Millersville as assistant police chief, promising to root out the corruption he sees there. You can continue reading at this hyperlink.
May 22, 2024: The controversy over Millersville’s conspiracy cop has now become the latest scandal rocking the tiny town just north of Nashville. Now, two city commissioners want a special meeting to figure out how Shawn Taylor landed his job. You can continue reading Part Two at this link.
May 24, 2024: An attorney for Millersville conspiracy cop Shawn Taylor has told Millersville’s city commission, whom he also represents, that they should not question the assistant police chief’s bizarre theories or psychological fitness. You can read more of this installment at this link.
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May 28, 2024: New podcast video, uncovered by NewsChannel 5 Investigates, reveals how Shawn Taylor spread false and dangerous conspiracy theories about last year’s Covenant School shooting that left three students and three staff members dead. You can click here to review that story.
May 28, 2024: Anna Caudill agreed to watch the video of Shawn Taylor knowing there might be only so much she could handle. Among the three children and three adults killed that day was her friend, Katherine Koonce. You can read more of Anna’s story by tapping on this link.
Phil Williams/WTVF
“So we’ll start this and then, when you’ve had enough you just stop it”
June 3, 2024: First, he went after Millersville’s former mayor. Now, the town’s assistant police chief says his two critics on the city commission could be next. Shawn Taylor made those comments as he turned to a group of far-right podcasters to defend himself. Tap this link to read from those Taylor’s accused.
June 4, 2024: Millersville officials are standing with their assistant police chief and his bizarre conspiracy theories regarding Nashville’s Covenant School shooting. Read how this meeting played out at this link.
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June 5, 2024: Bryant Kroll wears a lot of hats. He’s the attorney representing the embattled City of Millersville. He also represents Mayor Tommy Long, who faces accusations of misconduct in an ouster suit. Plus, he’s the attorney for Bryan Morris and Shawn Taylor. To understand the role he plays, you can read that here.
June 6, 2024: In Shawn Taylor’s world — in the immortal words of Taylor Swift — “I’m the problem, it’s me.” I explain how we got here in this piece, which you can click on here.
June 18, 2024: Millersville’s conspiracy cop now has his very own conspiracy-minded attorney. Now, our NewsChannel 5 investigation has discovered that Todd Callender’s own theories are sometimes even more far-fetched than Taylor’s twisted view of the world. Click here to read more about Shawn Taylor’s attorney.
July 15, 2024: What happens when you give people with bizarre conspiracy theories a gun and a badge? Secret recordings from inside the troubled Millersville Police Department provide a sobering answer to that question. Read more on this investigation by tapping here.
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Team pic shared by Shawn Taylor
July 22, 2024: In an explosive new development that could bring new trouble for the already-troubled Millersville Police Department, a key player in a child-predator sting says the lead detective on that operation lied under oath. You can read more about that by clicking here.
July 23, 2024: District Attorney General Robert Nash has asked the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to look into the Millersville Police Department’s handling of a child predator sting, including possible perjury by the lead detective. You can read more about that by tapping here.
July 29, 2024: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has expanded its probe of the embattled Millersville Police Department, now looking into allegations that officials may have used sensitive law enforcement data to investigate their political enemies. Read more about that by clicking here.
August 5, 2024: With the Millersville Police Department now the focus of a TBI investigation, NewsChannel 5 Investigates has uncovered new questions about the stories that conspiracy cop Shawn Taylor tells about himself. You can catch up on the investigation by tapping here.
August 12, 2024: In a perplexing pair of podcast interviews, the Millersville chief of police says the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has begun limiting his department’s access to certain sensitive law enforcement data. Read more about this latest development here.
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August 26, 2024: He has helped to fuel some of the wild conspiracy theories inside the troubled Millersville Police Department. He is a self-proclaimed pedophile hunter who believes America is controlled by what he calls “a satanic cult masquerading as Jews.” Read more about Craig Sawyer by clicking here.
Screengrab taken of InfoWars
Craig Sawyer announces the formation of Veterans for Child Rescue on Alex Jones’ show on InfoWars.
August 27, 2024: Craig Sawyer’s response to my investigation illustrates how conspiracy theorists frequently use wild accusations and blustery language to avoid giving real answers about their bizarre beliefs. Tap here to watch as we dissect his 90-minute diatribe.
September 4, 2024: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents raided the Millersville Police Department and Shawn Taylor’s home, executing a pair of search warrants as the criminal investigation into the troubled agency enters a dramatic new phase. Read more about this new twist in the Millersville investigation.
James Garbee/WTVF
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TBI agents load up boxes of evidence seized from the Millersville Police Department on Sept. 4, 2024.
September 10, 2024: “No, a TBI agent didn’t pee in Shawn Taylor’s tub, agency says in response to Taylor’s latest claim.” The headline says it all. Click here.
September 19, 2024: QAnon-aligned voices of the far right are threatening retaliation against a judge, a district attorney and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents for their roles in the recent Millersville raids. Details posted here.
October 7, 2024: A well-known Arizona election denier says his group — working through Millersville’s conspiracy-minded assistant police chief — gained access to a highly confidential federal database that tracks Americans’ banking transactions and other financial data. Read the exclusive story here.
October 22, 2024: Two key GOP lawmakers – the chairman and a member of the state House committee that oversees the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation – recently warned the agency that it could face “unnecessary political fallout” if it does not end its criminal probe into the troubled Millersville Police Department. You can read the letter here.
October 24, 2024: A letter from two GOP lawmakers, which appeared to threaten the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for its probe of the Millersville Police Department, was the “wrong way to go,” House Speaker Cameron Sexton said. But there is more to the speaker’s reaction.
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December 9, 2024: Shawn Taylor, the conspiracy-minded cop now at the center of a criminal investigation, has resigned from his position as assistant chief for the Millersville Police Department after less than a year on the job. Read more here.
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