The Tennessee Titans lost an absolute heartbreaker to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. Despite being massive underdogs, the Titans took a 20-17 advantage with under two minutes remaining. Unfortunately, the defense couldn't get the critical stop, allowing Jalen Hurts to throw a three-yard touchdown to Darius Cooper with nine seconds left, giving the Eagles a 24-20 victory.
Close games that are decided with seconds remaining indicate the margin for error was nonexistent. Several Titans failed to make positive plays when required. The Titans are a rebuilding team that's still learning how to navigate in-game adversity.
We've identified four Titans who made critical errors in decisive moments throughout the Week 2 loss to the Eagles.
4 Titans who let the team down in nailbiting Week 2 loss to Eagles
JC Latham, RT
Tied 17 apiece with 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Titans had a crucial 1st-and-goal after Tyjae Spears ran for 27 yards on a 3rd-and-22. The Titans tried to run a play action bootleg pass, but right tackle JC Latham took the wrong set and immediately got blown past by Jalen Carter. Carter easily sacked Ward for a nine-yard loss, making it 2nd-and-goal from the 18. Latham had also been whistled for an illegal formation penalty earlier on the drive.
Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll called two surrender runs following the massive loss, settling for a field goal. The Eagles took possession and scored the game-winning touchdown. Had Latham executed his block, the Titans may have scored a touchdown and won the game.
Austin Schlottmann, IOL
Latham wasn't the only Titans offensive lineman to make an error on that crucial fourth-quarter possession. A Tony Pollard 1st-and-10 run from the Eagles' 24-yard line was called back for offensive holding on center Austin Schlottmann. It sent a Titans offense that had been productively moving the ball backwards.
The Titans somehow converted 3rd-and-long via the aforementioned Spears run. Still, Schlottmann was penalized one play after Ward hit Elic Ayomanor for a 41-yard explosive pass. It was a momentum killer.
Micah Robinson, CB
Starting cornerback Cor'Dale Flott was surprisingly inactive. That placed reserve corner Micah Robinson in a tough spot. Robinson was often outmatched by Eagles receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, who often got the better of him in coverage.
Robinson was in coverage when Smith caught the backbreaking 19-yard pass on 3rd-and-6 with 20 seconds left that set up the game-winning score. He was also part of the miscommunication in the secondary that left Cooper open for the winning touchdown. The Titans need Flott back.
Carnell Tate, WR
Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate hasn't seen enough targets through two weeks, but he also hasn't maximized his opportunities. Tate dropped a 3rd-and-11 pass from Ward on the opening possession. It was an accurate throw in traffic that should have been caught for a first-down conversion.
In the third quarter, Ward hit Tate on a quick slant on 3rd-and-10. The fourth overall selection couldn't break a tackle, leading to another Titans punt. Through two games, Tate has recorded just seven receptions for 65 yards and zero touchdowns.
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