NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans made a series of strategic moves in the offseason, hiring an offensive-focused head coach and introducing a new coaching staff while investing heavily in both free agency and the draft. Despite these significant changes, the team has stumbled to a disappointing 1-4 record.
The Titans have come close in several games, suffering three losses by a margin of just a touchdown or less. Their most recent setback was a narrow 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The team started strong, leading 17-10 into the fourth quarter, but ultimately couldn’t maintain their advantage as they failed to remain effective on the field after losing the lead. “We’ve got to find a way to finish in the fourth quarter,” said first-year head coach Bill Callahan.
Callahan, who previously served as the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, was brought in to replace Mike Vrabel. The Titans have had a rocky journey, now tallying a dismal 7-22 record since beginning the 2022 season at 7-3. Callahan emphasized the importance of perseverance, stating they need to continue evolving alongside their second-year quarterback Will Levis, who is still adjusting to an entirely new offensive scheme. He remains hopeful, noting that there are still many encouraging aspects of the team’s performance that can be built upon.
Acknowledging the team’s struggles, Callahan shared, “When you’re 1-4, the negative obviously gets highlighted and that’s as it should.” The Titans are committed to staying united through these challenges. “Nobody’s going to come in and save us,” remarked center Lloyd Cushenberry, referring to the six new starters on offense introduced for the most recent match. Veteran safety Amani Hooker mirrored this sentiment, mentioning, “We understand that we’ve got the pieces. We understand that we’re a few plays away.”
In a notable sign of progress, the Titans managed to halt a 33-game streak of allowing sacks, which dated back to October 2021. A change at right tackle saw Leroy Watson IV make his NFL debut, stepping in for Nicholas Petit-Frere. Despite facing some penalties, including a couple of false starts, Watson has familiarity with the system under the Titans’ offensive line coach, Bill Callahan, having played previously in Cleveland. The head coach assured that while Watson’s performance was neither poor nor spectacular, the competition for the right tackle position remains open.
Addressing the team’s need for improvement, the Titans must find a way to maintain their offensive momentum and score effectively in the fourth quarter. They have managed a paltry total of only 12 points during the final 15 minutes across five games, a dismal statistic when compared with other teams’ performances. This fourth-quarter struggle dates back to last season, when the Titans were outscored 111-64 and averaged merely 3.7 points per game in the closing period.
Looking at individual performances, running back Tony Pollard shone with his best display of the season, rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries and catching all three passes directed his way, despite losing combined yardage due to inadequate blocking. In contrast, wide receiver Calvin Ridley has faced mounting frustration, having been targeted eight times without a single catch, contributing to growing expectations that the Titans need to improve their connection with quarterback Will Levis.
Injury updates reveal that running back Tyjae Spears is considered week-to-week after leaving the last game due to a calf injury sustained at halftime, with his participation in the upcoming game still uncertain.
Throughout the season, the Titans have avoided penalties up until this recent game, which saw them incur a season-high number in both flags and penalty yards. A pivotal illegal contact penalty overturned a potential interception by rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. as time was running down towards halftime.
Looking ahead, the Titans face a challenging schedule with their next match against the Buffalo Bills, followed by a clash with the Detroit Lions, currently boasting a 4-1 record. Addressing penalties and finding ways to score in the late stages of games will be essential for the team as they attempt to turn their fortunes around.