Music City Miracles
After Arizona Cardinals running back Emeri Demercado committed the unthinkable early-celebration-fumble, the Tennessee Titans took over possession at their own 20-yard line following a touchback, down 21-6. Cam Ward and the offense generated an 80-yard scoring drive that concluded with a Tony Pollard touchdown run. Trailing 21-12 following the Pollard score, Brian Callahan immediately held up a single finger, signaling the Titans would try the point-after attempt, as opposed to a two-point conversion.
The analytics strongly suggest the Titans should have tried a two-point attempt, which would have made it a seven-point game had the Titans successfully converted it. Instead, Callahan wanted to make it an eight-point game. Joey Slye missed the extra point, meaning the Titans still trailed by two scores.
Slye should never have missed the XP, so the outcome shouldn’t impact how you feel about Callahan’s decision. Regardless, Callahan was blasted on social media for ignoring the analytics. He was asked about it on Monday by Paul Kuharsky on Monday, explaining that decision was the “Titans’ philosophy” in that spot.
Titans Twitter appeared in solidarity, irate with Callahan’s decision to ignore the analytics. The outrage only increased after Slye missed the XP. I’ll raise my hand and admit I don’t necessarily agree with the outrage.
If the Titans converted the two-point conversion, they’d be down seven, requiring another score anyway. Had Slye converted the XP, they’d be down eight… still needing another score. The timing of when you attempt the two-point conversion simply shifts.
Converting the extra point extends the game and keeps the players fighting hard, trailing by one score. The “go for two” crowd underestimates the psychological side of football. A failed conversion means you’re trailing by two scores, and the players may quietly admit defeat on a comeback attempt. Extending the game keeps faith and hope alive, potentially improving performance down the critical stretch.
Callahan didn’t explain what his “philosophy” in that spot entails, but it’s reasonable to assume he believes in extending the game and keeping his players fighting hard. I don’t necessarily see why that’s such an egregious belief to so many.
I absolutely understand the math of why the analytics indicate trying a two-point conversion makes sense in that scenario. I simply don’t believe the decision is so straightforward. Football isn’t played on spreadsheets. Claiming that decision was vehemently the incorrect one overlooks the human side of the game.
It was ultimately a moot point. The Titans executed the most improbable comeback of the 2025 season, beating Arizona 22-21 on a last-second Slye FG. We should analyze Callahan’s process over results, and I simply don’t understand why many felt Callahan was so wrong in that spot.
