The Tennessee Titans find themselves in a deepening hole as they opened the 2024 NFL season with three consecutive losses. The latest blow came from a 30-14 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. Despite a spirited performance from quarterback Will Levis, who completed 26 of 34 passes for 260 yards and threw two touchdowns, the team continues to struggle on multiple fronts, as articulated by their head coach Brian Callahan.
Levis Under Pressure
Levis’s two interceptions in the game, with one returned for a touchdown, further compounded the Titans’ woes. "Again, I'm not going to overreact to an interception. Those things happen. Guys throw picks. We just can't give it to the other team. We keep giving up points the other way. It's hard to overcome," remarked Callahan. The young quarterback's predicament was exacerbated by being sacked eight times, an indication of the Titans’ faltering offensive line.
"We have to play better around him," Callahan added, acknowledging that the onus is not solely on Levis. Levis’s decision-making under duress remains a glaring issue, as evidenced by his league-leading five interceptions and three fumbles. This accumulation of turnovers is an alarming trend that Callahan and his coaching staff will need to address promptly.
Defensive Struggles
The Titans' defense has its own set of challenges. Conceding 378 total yards, including a staggering 188 rushing yards to the Packers, highlights a unit that is struggling to contain its opponents. “We’ve not played a complete game in any phase at any point yet,” admitted Callahan, encapsulating the comprehensive nature of the team’s struggles.
The pattern of close losses was set early in the season. In Week 1, the Titans were edged out 24-17 by the Chicago Bears, and Week 2 saw an identical scoreline in a loss to the New York Jets. Each game has revealed vulnerabilities in different facets of the team, and these losses have been a bitter pill for the Titans’ faithful.
Transition and Turnover
The offseason saw significant changes, most notably the departure of veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who is navigating the uncertainties of free agency. In his place, Mason Rudolph was brought in, a quarterback with a career record of 8-4-1 as a starter with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. This transition has left the Titans searching for a steady hand to guide the offense.
Rudolph’s arrival was supposed to provide competition and perhaps a backup solution, yet the Titans' offense has yet to find its groove. The offensive instability has placed immense pressure on a defense that is already showing cracks, and a cohesive team performance remains elusive.
Staff and Strategy
Callahan’s candid assessment of the situation reflects a coach who is realistic about his team's performance but also searching for solutions. "We're capable of way better than what we've put on the field the last three weeks. No one is coming to save us, so we've got to figure it out," he said, laying bare the urgency within the organization. The Titans are acutely aware that their current trajectory is unsustainable if they have any hopes of salvaging the season.
The upcoming matchup against the Miami Dolphins, who hold a 1-2 record, represents a critical juncture for the Titans. It offers an opportunity to regroup and perhaps turn the tide, yet it will require a considerable improvement in all phases of the game. The coaching staff's ability to make the necessary adjustments and get a more disciplined performance out of their players will be pivotal.
As the Titans navigate this challenging start, the spotlight will remain on Levis and his development, the defensive adjustments, and how well the team can synergize amidst the turbulence. Each step forward or backward will serve as a testament to their resilience and adaptability in a league that demands excellence week in and week out.
The urgency that Callahan speaks of must translate into action, and the Titans must find their identity soon to avoid a season of unmet potential and disappointment.