Redskins vs. Titans score, results, highlights from potential postseason eliminator

Jacob Janower

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Redskins vs. Titans score, results, highlights from potential postseason eliminator image

Playing without their starting quarterback for the entire second half, the Titans came from behind to beat the Redskins 25-16 on Saturday and keep their season alive in what was essentially a playoff elimination game.

Derrick Henry took until the fourth quarter to return to his form from the previous two weeks, but he carried the load on a go-ahead touchdown drive that ended with backup Blaine Gabbert fooling the Redskins' defense on a play-action touchdown pass. 

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Henry, who had recorded 408 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his last two games, finished with the game with 84 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Gabbert didn’t do anything flashy but came through when he needed to do in relief of Marcus Mariota, who suffered an injury in the final minute of the first half.  

The Redskins (7-8) held the lead throughout much of the game, but their settling for a trio of field goals rather than getting in the end zone kept the Titans (9-6) in the game and ultimately allowed Tennessee to take home the victory.

PLAYOFF PICTURE:  Titans, Chargers put pressure on Steelers

Adrian Peterson continued his vintage campaign with 119 rushing yards. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season.  

Making just his second start of the season, Washington quarterback Josh Johnson threw for 153 yards and ran for 22, but his interception late in the fourth quarter thwarted the Redskins' comeback attempt. Johnson was also intercepted on a desperation heave that was returned for a touchdown by Malcolm Butler as time expired. 

With losses by the Ravens and Colts in Week 16, the Titans will have sole possession of the No. 6 seed in the AFC. Both the Titans and Redskins will play divisional opponents to close the regular season, with the Colts and Eagles as the respective opponents.

Sporting News provided live updates from the Titans crucial victory that saved their season.

Redskins vs. Titans: Score, results, highlights

(All times Eastern)

Redskins: 16
Titans: 25

Final: Titans 25, Redskins 16

7:13 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, TITANS. Johnson's desperation heave to end the game is intercepted by Malcolm Butler, who takes it back to the end zone to cement Tennessee's victory. Titans 25, Redskins 16

7:12 p.m.: The Redskins nearly block Brett Kern's punt, but instead it gets out of bounds at the 15-yard line.

7:10 p.m.: The Titans go three-and-out and will run the clock down to about 20 seconds before having to punt.

7:06 p.m.: INTERCEPTION, TITANS. Johnson overthrows his receiver on third down and Kevin Byard intercepts it. Titans have possession and are nearing a victory. Washington has two timeouts.

7:04 p.m.: The Redskins possess the ball at the Titans' 49-yard line as we hit the two-minute warning.

7:01 p.m.: Peterson sneaks over the first down marker on third-and-1 to keep the Redskins' drive going.

6:53 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, TITANS. Gabbert fools the entire defense with a play action to Henry and his MyCole Pruitt in the end zone to give the Titans the lead with 4:30 to play. Titans 19, Redskins 16.

6:53 p.m.: Derrick Henry fights his way for 18 yards and gets to the Redskins' 2-yard line.

6:48 p.m.: Blaine Gabbert finds Taywan Taylor for 35 yards. Just the way that the Titans wanted to start their drive.

6:44 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, REDSKINS. Hopkins hits his third field goal of the game. He has been automatic tonight. Redskins 16, Titans 12

6:44 p.m.: Washington's third down prowess temporarily comes to a halt, as Johnson is sacked, which will force a 46-yard field goal.

6:41 p.m.: Johnson scrambles around before dumping it off to Chris Thompson for a first down, moving the Redskins to 7 of 11 on third downs in the game.

6:38 p.m.: Johnson takes it himself on third-and-1 and gets 16 yards down the Titans' 32-yard line.

6:36 p.m.: Vintage Adrian Peterson easily picks up 13 yards and has surpassed 1,000 yards on the season.

6:33 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, TITANS. Tennessee opts to settle for a field goal on a fourth-and-2, and Ryan Succop's make puts his team down just one point. Redskins 13, Titans 12

6:24 p.m.: Gabbert with a 27-yard pass to MyCole Pruitt, a 12-yard run by Henry, and a first down completion from Gabbert to Desmond Jennings have been the big plays of a Titans drive that is approaching the red zone.

End of third quarter: Redskins 13, Titans 9

6:18 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, REDSKINS. Johnson throws back-to-back incompletions on second and third down but Dustin Hopkins hits another field goal to extend Washington's lead. Redskins 13, Titans 9

6:16 p.m.: Johnson, Peterson, and Thompson have the Redskins nearing the red zone with another meticulous drive.

6:06 p.m.: Washington's defense holds strong as the Titans offense is halted without points again. 

5:56 p.m.: Gabbert goes 1 of 2 on the drive and the Titans start out the half with a punt.

5:53 p.m.: Titans start with the ball and Gabbert will go back out at quarterback as Mariota remains in the locker room with a stinger.

Halftime: Redskins 10, Titans 9

5:39 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, TITANS. Succop atones for his missed extra point with a 42-yard field goal as the first half expires. Redskins 10, Titans 9

5:37 p.m.: Mariota goes down with an injury on a sack with 48 seconds remaining in the half. Blaine Gabbert takes over at quarterback.

5:33 p.m.: Mariota and the Titans are setting themselves up in great position for more points by the end of the half. They have gone 58 yards on eight plays and are in the red zone.

5:22 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, REDSKINS. What a drive from the Redskins! They go 93 yards on 17 plays and finish with a touchdown pass from Johnson to Michael Floyd. The quarterback was 6 of 6 passing on the possession. Redskins 10, Titans 6.

5:19 p.m.: Peterson is having his way with the Titans defense on this drive and has picked up 16 yards on his last three carries. He has gained 56 yards in the early going so far.

5:13 p.m.: What a response from Washington, which converts a first down after being saddled with a second-and-27 from its own one. Peterson runs for 13 yards and the Johnson connects with Josh Doctson.

5:12 p.m.: Frustrating start for the Redskins, who have now committed five false start or offsides penalties already in this game. 

End of first quarter: Titans 6, Redskins 3

5:06 p.m.: Titans are less reliant on Henry during their second drive. The running back had just one carry for two yards. Tennessee gets one first down, but not much else and have to punt.

5:00 p.m.: Peterson is unsuccessful at getting the first down on three tries, and although Washington lined up to go for it on fourth-and-1, a false start forces a punt and a three-and-out.

4:48 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN, TITANS. Looks like Henry has picked up right where he left off. The running back scampers in for a 1-yard touchdown. He finished with 19 yards on five carries during the drive. Ryan Succop puts a damper on the celebration by missing the extra point. Titans 6, Redskins 3. 

4:45 p.m.: Mariota does an impressive dancing act against a few Redskins defenders and picks up a first down on a third-and-6.

4:42 p.m.: Marcus Mariota hits Taywan Taylor on the first play from scrimmage for 15 yards, and then Derrick Henry picks up gains of five and seven yards respectively on carries. Quick start for the Titans offense.

4:36 p.m.: FIELD GOAL, REDSKINS. Lots of aggressiveness from the Redskins on their opening drive, but back-to-back incompletions from Johnson on second and third down lead to Dustin Hopkins' 50-yard field goal. Redskins 3, Titans 0

4:33 p.m.: Washington starts with the ball and Josh Johnson quickly connects with Jamison Crowder for 30 yards on a third-and-6.

4:08 p.m.: The inactives for Saturday's game. Looks like safety Kenny Vaccaro will be good to go for Tennessee.

Jacob Janower