NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans are beginning to exhibit some signs of improvement in what has been a challenging season. However, they continue to struggle with self-inflicted wounds stemming from excessive penalties.
Currently, the Titans rank second in the NFL for the most penalties, having been flagged 88 times for a total of 630 yards, and with an additional 213 yards negated due to infractions. In their latest game against Minnesota, the Titans were penalized a staggering 13 times, an occurrence that prompted coach Brian Callahan to receive an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty out of frustration.
Callahan acknowledged that managing penalties is an essential area that needs addressing, emphasizing discipline within the team. “We can’t jump offside. You can’t do that. Those are things that we can control,” he stated. He further noted that the team has not done an adequate job of managing the aspects they can influence and pointed out, “Those things have got to get cleaned up.”
Several penalties have had major impacts on the game. For instance, three illegal formation calls wiped out a potential 51-yard touchdown pass, along with other significant plays. There have also been nine offensive holding penalties this season. Callahan suggested these could be rectified through better hand placement and body positioning. Regarding the illegal formation calls, he indicated that while they instruct players effectively, the call itself can be somewhat subjective. “We hadn’t been flagged for an illegal formation all season,” he said.
On the defensive front, the Titans have slid down one spot but still hold the title of the league’s top defense in terms of fewest passing yards allowed, giving up just 164.6 yards per game. They successfully forced the Vikings into four three-and-out situations, providing their offense with opportunities.
One critical area needing attention is pass protection. The offensive line allowed five sacks in their latest outing, building upon a concerning seven sacks from the previous week. Although the Titans showed some improvement in the second half by allowing just one sack then, the damage was already done with four first-half sacks forcing them into turnover on downs.
On a positive note, quarterback Will Levis has demonstrated significant growth. Since returning from a shoulder injury, he has delivered two solid performances, including a season-high 295 yards and two touchdown passes, despite one being nullified by a penalty. A late-game interception against Minnesota did negatively impact his passer rating. Levis tied the franchise record for the longest touchdown pass with a 98-yard connection to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. Now, Levis has an equal number of touchdown passes and interceptions, totaling eight each, as he aims to stabilize his performance.
In contrast, the position of right tackle remains a challenge for the Titans, with Nicholas Petit-Frere currently back as a starter for 30 snaps. Isaiah Prince, who joined the practice squad last month, played 29 snaps but was penalized three times for illegal formations, hampering Tennessee’s efforts to mount a comeback. Throughout the season, the Titans have cycled through three different starters at right tackle, in addition to various players contributing at that position.
Injury updates reveal that linebacker Jack Gibbens will be placed on injured reserve due to a severe right ankle injury and is likely out for the remainder of the season. The 24-year-old was carted off the field and underwent surgery shortly after. Additionally, running back Tyjae Spears is currently undergoing concussion protocol, with hopes of a potential return for the upcoming game. Meanwhile, Callahan mentioned that the team is set to open the return-to-play window for cornerback Chido Awuzie, which is welcomed news given the team’s need for reinforcements.
Looking ahead, the Titans have five divisional AFC South games remaining out of their final seven, providing a slim path to potentially improve their divisional standing. However, given their current situation, the Titans’ playoff probabilities stand at about 1%, nudging them closer to a top-two draft pick — their highest slot since picking fifth in 2017. They will start a challenging two-game road trip by facing the defending AFC South champion Houston (6-4) followed by a match against Washington (7-4).