The Tennessee Titans' challenging start to the season continued as they fell to the New York Jets, 24-17, on Sunday. This defeat leaves the Titans winless after two games and searching for solutions to their ongoing issues.
The team's struggles were evident as they squandered halftime leads in both of their first two contests. Critical turnovers and special teams mishaps were significant factors in their most recent loss.
Errors and Loses Pile Up
Rookie quarterback Will Levis has faced a difficult introduction to the NFL. After throwing a pick-six in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, Levis made another critical mistake against the Jets. In a highly questionable play, he attempted a backwards pass to Tyjae Spears while falling down in the Jets' red zone, resulting in a fumble. The Jets took possession of the loose ball, ending a promising Titans drive.
Special teams woes also continued to plague the Titans, with a blocked punt contributing to their loss against the Jets. These mishaps mirror the issues that hurt the team in their Week 1 game, highlighting a concerning pattern early in the season.
Frustration Boils Over
Brian Callahan did not hold back in his criticism of Levis' performance. "It was dumb. It was the same exact thing he did last week, and he cost us points in the red zone, and it is what it is," Callahan said. "He's a grownup and he knows better and so I was really irritated that he cost us three points in a game that we probably needed it."
Callahan's frustration is understandable, given the high stakes and the team's poor start. The Titans had an opportunity to take control of the game against the Jets but chose to gamble on a third down instead of settling for a field goal on fourth-and-goal. Such decisions speak to a team looking for answers but coming up short in execution.
Defensive Silver Linings
Despite the ongoing issues on offense and special teams, the Titans' defense has performed admirably. In their matchup with the Bears, the defense played so well that, according to Callahan, "The Titans could have punted on first down on all of their second-half possessions and escaped Chicago with a victory since the Titans defense was playing so well."
This strong defensive play offers a glimmer of hope for the Titans as they look to turn their season around. However, the offense and special teams must find consistency for the team to start securing victories.
Urgent Problems to Address
With a record of 0-2, the Titans' season is at a critical juncture. The team urgently needs to address the special teams mishaps and red zone inefficiencies that have cost them dearly in the first two games. As Callahan's comments indicate, the frustration within the organization is palpable, and immediate improvements are necessary to salvage the season.
The road ahead for the Titans is challenging, but the talent on the roster suggests that a turnaround is possible. Whether they can solve their issues and convert their potential into wins remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that there is no more room for the errors that have defined their early season struggles.