NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans continue to demonstrate a pattern where progress is often followed by setbacks. Following a disappointing 42-19 defeat against Washington, the Titans (now 3-9) have secured their third consecutive losing record, marking a challenging start for first-year head coach Brian Callahan.
This latest loss can be attributed to poor beginnings, numerous turnovers, quarterback sacks, and an abundance of penalties, all of which hindered their ability to achieve back-to-back victories for the first time in over two years. In addressing the situation, Callahan emphasized the importance of developing consistency.
“In the NFL, much of the focus should be on not losing the game before attempting to win it, and currently, we are failing in that respect with the high number of penalties and turnovers we are incurring,” Callahan explained. “It’s about learning how to secure victories.”
Before halftime, Tennessee accrued 11 penalties out of a total of 12, falling behind 28-7. This marked a concerning trend as they became the first NFL team since the Jaguars in Week 17 of 2005 to receive at least 11 penalties while trailing by 20 or more points at halftime. Only Baltimore has faced more penalties than Tennessee this season.
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons mentioned that the Titans must improve their ability to handle success following their recent win against Houston. He described the team as “hungover from our own success.” However, Callahan disagreed with the notion of a hangover, asserting that the performance issues were simply due to early game errors that left them in a challenging position.
On a brighter note, quarterback Will Levis’ growth in the four games since recovering from a sprained throwing shoulder offers a glimmer of hope for the Titans. In the recent game, he managed to throw two touchdown passes for 212 yards while limiting the loss of yards on two sacks. Since his return, Levis has shown promise, completing 61.7% of his passes for a total of 960 yards, registering seven touchdowns, and only two interceptions for a passer rating of 101.3.
However, the defense has struggled significantly, especially considering they entered the matchup against Washington ranked second in the NFL for yards allowed. They faced a considerable challenge as they surrendered a staggering 267 yards on the ground, a drastic increase compared to the 40 yards they had allowed the prior week. Additionally, they allowed 28 points within the first 20 minutes, becoming one of only three teams in the last five seasons to achieve that feat.
In terms of individual performances, wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been a standout. As an undrafted player from Indiana, he is tied for fourth in the NFL with eight touchdown receptions. Despite starting only five games this season and not being targeted in the first month, his consistent performance has earned him a multi-year contract. He caught three passes for 61 yards against Washington and was targeted a season-high eight times.
Conversely, rookie Jha’Quan Jackson, a sixth-round pick from Tulane and nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Ed Reed, has struggled with ball security. As a punt returner, he fumbled five times, recovering only two, which resulted in him being benched during the game against Washington. His critical fumble early in the game directly contributed to an opponent’s touchdown.
Injury updates revealed that left tackle JC Latham dealt with a quadriceps issue but was able to finish the game. Callahan mentioned they would monitor the recovery of cornerback Roger McCreary (shoulder) and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (strained hamstring) throughout the week.
A notable statistic is that it has been 36 games since the Titans last achieved consecutive victories. Looking ahead, the Titans will aim to improve their position in the AFC South as they play the final stretch of four divisional matchups, starting with two games against Jacksonville (2-10) beginning this Sunday, with Trevor Lawrence likely sidelined. Yet, the paramount question remains: how high will the team draft come April?