The Tennessee Titans are experiencing a rough start to the 2024 NFL season, finding themselves winless after three weeks. Their most recent defeat—a 30-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers—encapsulated the myriad issues they have faced so far.
A Struggling Start
The Titans' 0-3 record is alarming, especially considering the expectations that surrounded the team heading into the season. The Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears (24-17) was followed by an identical scoreline defeat to the New York Jets in Week 2. While narrow, these losses have showcased the team's inability to close out games effectively.
Quarterback Woes
Under center, Will Levis is feeling the pressure. Despite impressive stats—26 of 34 passes completed for 260 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers—his performance was marred by two critical interceptions, one of which was a pick-six. Brian Callahan, reflecting on this, mentioned, “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."
The offensive line also failed to protect Levis effectively, as he was sacked eight times in the same game. This recurrent issue puts Levis at the top of the NFL for turnovers, having recorded three fumbles and five interceptions thus far. Given these figures, there is growing concern about Levis' decision-making and the overall effectiveness of the offensive unit.
Defensive Struggles
On the defensive side, the Titans have been equally disappointing. They allowed 378 total yards against the Packers, with a significant portion—188 yards—coming on the ground. Such porous defense makes winning games considerably harder. Brian Callahan's assessment is blunt yet telling: “We have to play better around him.”
New Faces and Departures
The offseason saw Mason Rudolph join the Titans, bringing his career record of 8-4-1 as a starter, with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, hoping to provide some stability and competition in the quarterback position. Meanwhile, veteran Ryan Tannehill parted ways with the Titans and is currently navigating free agency in search of a new home.
The challenge ahead remains formidable for the Titans, especially with an upcoming game against the Miami Dolphins who hold a 1-2 record. Reflecting on their current state, Brian Callahan admitted, “We've not played a complete game in any phase at any point yet.” His words highlight not just specific failures but a systemic issue that the Titans need to address urgently.
Callahan also noted, “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.” These words may serve as a rallying cry for a team that knows it has the talent but has yet to translate that into wins on the field.
With three tough losses in the books, the Titans are at a critical juncture. Improvement in both offensive execution and defensive robustness is non-negotiable if they aim to turn their season around. As fans and analysts watch closely, the Titans' next few games may very well define their trajectory for the 2024 NFL season.