CHICAGO – Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota had the night off, and so did the rest of the team's starters.
Thursday night in the Windy City was a night reserved for the back-ups, and roster hopefuls, many looking to make one final impression on the Titans – and the rest of the NFL.
Some made very good ones.
The Titans rallied for a 19-15 win over the Chicago Bears here at Soldier Field, which wrapped up the preseason for both teams. Quarterback Logan Wooside guided a scoring drive in the closing minutes, and running back Dalyn Dawkins provided 117 rushing yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Woodside connected with Dawkins for a three-yard touchdown with 1:25 left to lift the Titans to a win.
After the contest, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel immediately put things in perspective.
"It's the unfortunate reality: Some of those guys we just won a football game with won't be with us," Vrabel said. "Some of them will go somewhere else and play, some of them will be with us. And some of them won't play football again.
"I thanked them for their effort. It was cool to see everybody into it on the sideline. Guys were excited for all those guys out there that finished that game and competed."
Now, the focus turns to the regular season opener on September 8 at Cleveland.
But first, roster cuts.
All NFL teams must be down to 53 players by 3 p.m. CT on Saturday. The Titans currently have 89 players on their 90-man roster, counting former Packers linebacker Reggie Gilbert, who was acquired in a trade – pending a physical.
Woodside started Thursday night's contest and played the entire game. He finished the night completing 17-of-29 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns, good for a passer rating of 104.4. In four preseason contests, Woodside completed 46-of-76 passes for 539 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was an impressive 99.6.
"It was a huge opportunity, and I just went out there and tried to make the most of it," Woodside said. "I just wanted to be a leader, and I wanted to make some plays. Whatever happens now, I am excited for it. It is not up to me now, and whatever is meant to be will be."
Dawkins led the Titans rushing attack, and he also caught a pair of touchdowns -- a nine-yard grab, and a three-yard catch that went for a score.
"It was really exciting – it was more exciting to get that win," said Dawkins, who was sidelined the previous two games with an injury. "I felt good. I was worried about feeling rusty because I missed so much time, but I was able to get in a rhythm pretty quickly."
After the Bears jumped ahead 12-0, Woodside engineered a four-play, 75-yard drive in the second quarter that ended with the nine-yard touchdown pass to Dawkins. The touchdown was set up by a pair of big throws from Woodside – a 45-yard completion to receiver Kalif Raymond, and a 19-yard toss to receiver Cody Hollister. A missed extra point by kicker Ryan Succop kept the score 12-6, and that was the score at halftime.
A 33-yard field goal by Succop cut the lead to 12-9 with 9:13 left in the third quarter a drive that was highlighted by a 19-yard run from Dawkins and a 23-yard completion from Woodside to receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams. But the Bears answered back with a field goal by Eddy Piniero, his third of the night.
Succop added another field goal – from 23 yards – to make it 15-12 with 10:26 left in the contest. The drive featured a pair of nice runs from Dawkins, another completion to Hollister, and a scramble by Woodside for a first down.
Just like on the offensive side of the ball, the Titans also rested their starters on defense.
Linebacker Derick Roberson was among the defensive stars, producing two sacks.
"It felt really good," Roberson said. "Any time you can get to the quarterback it feels good. The focus was all the way there tonight. It was the last chance, and I wanted to make the most of it. The energy was definitely different."
The Bears jumped out to a 6-0 lead on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Bray to Jesper Horsted before getting a pair of first half field goals from Piniero.
The Titans finished the preseason with a 2-2 mark.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Chicago Bears in the 2019 preseason finale Thursday night at Soldier Field. (Photos: Donald Page)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) in action during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans fans cheer during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans' Ryan Succop (4) kicks a 23-yard field goal out of the hold of punter Brett Kern during the second half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel watches during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Cody Hollister (16) is tackled by Chicago Bears cornerback Michael Joseph (30) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams (83) makes a catch betweem Chicago Bears defensive backs Clifton Duck, left, and Doyin Jibowu (43) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. Tennessee won 19-15. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel watches during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel in action during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans running back Dalyn Dawkins (28) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Chicago Bears in an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. Tennessee won 19-15. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans running back Dalyn Dawkins (28) celebrates with running back Derrick Henry after Dawkins scored a touchdown during the second half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. Tennessee won 19-15. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans running back Dalyn Dawkins (28) celebrates with wide receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams after Dawkins' touchdown reception during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel reacts to a call during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel walks onto the field for an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans running back Jeremy McNichols (30) is chased by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (99) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside throws a pass during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Kenneth Durden (20) in action during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a 33-yard field goal out of the hold of punter Brett Kern (6) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) celebrates with punter Brett Kern (6) after Succop kicked a 33-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) throws during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel walks onto the field for an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) in action during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans cornerback Mike Jordan (38) in action during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern (6) punts during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
The Tennessee Titans prepare to take on the Chicago Bears in the 2019 preseason finale Thursday night at Soldier Field. (Photos: Donald Page)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) in action before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) runs before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy talks with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel before an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) makes a catch before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel runs before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel talks with Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy before an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel runs before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) in action before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Logan Woodside (5) throws before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Titans players arrive at Soldier Field for Thursday night's preseason finale against the Chicago Bears. (Photos: Donald Page)
