The Tennessee Titans lost an absolute heartbreaker to the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-20 in Week 2. There were some familiar themes on both offense and defense. Cam Ward's supporting cast occasionally hurt him with dropped passes and penalties, and Robert Saleh's defense made good second-half adjustments after failing to get off the field during the first half.
Several Titans players left impressions, for better or worse. We've identified the glaring winners and losers from Sunday's Week 2 defeat. Let's get into it.
Titans Winners & Losers from Week 2 loss to Eagles
Winner: Tyjae Spears, RB
Tyjae Spears undeniably made the Titans' most important offensive play. Facing a 3rd-and-22 with roughly three minutes remaining, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll called a draw play, surely with the intention of setting up a Joey Slye field goal. Instead, Spears unfathomably picked up all 22 required yards to set the offense up with 1st-and-goal. The Titans still settled for a Slye field goal, but it allowed them to take a 20-17 advantage.
Winner: Amani Hooker, S
The Eagles were embarking on a 15-play drive when Titans safety Amani Hooker intercepted Jalen Hurts in the end zone and returned it 92 yards to set the offense up with a 1st-and-goal. After an incredible effort by Ward set the offense up with a 4th-and-goal from the half-yard line, the Titans scored a touchdown via the QB sneak. It wasn't possible without Hooker's excellent interception.
Winner: Cam Ward, QB
Ward kept the Titans in the game through his playmaking ability in big situations. He scored the offense's first touchdown via the aforementioned QB sneak on 4th-and-goal following the Hooker interception. In the third quarter, Ward scrambled for his second rushing score on 3rd-and-goal after Tony Pollard was stopped twice. The Titans' sophomore quarterback showed up big when needed.
Winner: Marcus Harris, CB
Wow, Marcus Harris. With the Eagles facing a critical 3rd-and-long midway through a 17-17 game in the fourth quarter, the Titans' sophomore cornerback intercepted Hurts' throw for Devonta Smith. Smith appeared to be open, but Hurts was also hit as he released the ball, possibly affecting its velocity. Harris made an outstanding over-the-shoulder pick to gift the ball back to Ward and the offense.
Loser: 3rd down defense
The Titans' third-down defense was absolutely deplorable. Whether the Eagles' offense found themselves in 3rd-and-short, 4th-and-short, or even 3rd-and-long, they always had easy answers to convert. Long drives continue to be the theme for the opposing offense. The Eagles converted 12-of-19 on third-and-fourth down, and the Titans defense couldn't get the final stop after Slye's go-ahead field goal.
Winner: Jeffery Simmons, DT
The Eagles had to shuffle the interior of their offensive line due to Landon Dickerson's injury. Superstar defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons took full advantage. Simmons was a force up the middle, making eye-popping plays both as a pass rusher and run stopper.
Loser: Carnell Tate, WR
Ward targeted Carnell Tate on the offense's first gotta-have-it-play. The fourth overall pick let a perfectly placed ball on a slant route go right through his hands, forcing a punt. Reliable hands were his calling card coming out of Ohio State. Later in the third quarter, Tate failed to break a tackle on a well-called blitz beater, leading to another punt.
Loser: Titans' cornerback depth
Starting cornerback Cor'Dale Flott was a surprise inactive after dealing with what was initially described as a minor injury earlier in the week. With top reserve backup Joshua Williams on IR, the Titans had to rely on Micah Robinson and Erick Hallett at cornerback. Predictably, Hallett and Robinson struggled mightily with coverage responsibilities, with DeVonta Smith torching the Titans' secondary on the final drive.
Add us as a preferred source on Google