What went right, what went wrong for the Titans vs. the Jets in Week 2

The Tennessee Titans hosted the New York Jets on Sunday, with both clubs looking for their first victory of 2024. Brian Callahan watched his club own a halftime lead for the second straight week, only to give it up in the final 30 minutes. For the second time in as many games, the Titans walked away with a 24-17 loss.

A look at the Titans’ loss to the Jets

What went right: Welcome to Nashville, Calvin Ridley

Titans’ general manager Ran Carthon was very aggressive this offseason when it came to adding veteran performers, particularly in the secondary and at wide receiver. The biggest get was big-play pass-catcher Calvin Ridley, who Tennessee pried away from the rival Jaguars via a four-year, $92 million contract. After catching three passes for 50 yards in Week 1 at Chicago, the six-year pro made his presence felt two ways.

Ridley touched the ball only five times Sunday, but reached the end zone twice. He opened the scoring with a 10-yard TD run, capping off a nine-play, 68-yard drive. In the third quarter and Tennessee down 17-10, he and quarterback Will Levis teamed for a 40-yard score. Ridley was targeted six times and had four catches for a game-high 77 yards. In the loss to the Bears, his three receptions came on seven targets.

What went right: Offensive balance once again a plus

The Titans seem to be doing what they want in terms of giving opposing teams plenty to think about. In the Week 1 loss to the Bears, Callahan’s club 61 plays, albeit for only 244 yards. There were 26 running plays, and 35 passing plays. Tennessee did struggle on third down, and there were those three fourth-quarter turnovers. Tony Pollard finished with 94 total yards from scrimmage and one touchdown.

On Sunday, it was more of the same. There were 61 offensive plays (28 runs, 32 pass plays). Pollard was busy once again, although he did not find the end zone vs. the Jets. He touched the ball 22 times, leading the club in rushing with 62 yards while totaling a team-high five receptions (40 yards). Once again, there were problems on third down, and two more Levis’ turnovers. Still, the play-calling is not the problem.

What went wrong: Special teams issues Part 2

For the struggling Titans, it was déjà vu all over again. For the second consecutive week, Callahan’s team owned a halftime lead. Once again, Tennessee’s special teams let them down. On fourth-and-10 and the Titans on their own 38-yard-line, punter Ryan Stonehouse had a punt blocked for the second straight game. This miscue set up a 33-yard field goal that extended the Jets’ lead to 17-10 in the third quarter.

In the opening-day loss at Chicago, Stonehouse had a punt blocked for a touchdown that changed the momentum of the game. Last season in a wild 31-28 overtime loss at home in Week 13 to Indianapolis, Stonehouse also had a punt blocked for a touchdown. Later in the game. he managed to avoid a second blocked kick, ran but fumbled and lost the ball. A knee injury would cost him the remainder of the season.

What went wrong: Where there’s a Will, there’s a turnover

Brian Callahan is two games into his NFL head coaching career. He’s learning that life as the main man is different than being a coordinator. He’s also learning that he has a young quarterback with a gifted arm that is still learning the game, as well as his new receivers. Last week, he had some thing to say about his signal-caller’s decision making, and his displeasure with a second-quarter fumble on Sunday was evident.

Will Levis has combined to complete 38 of his 60 throws (63.3 percent) for 319 yards and two touchdown tosses. He’s been sacked seven times, and has committed all five of the team’s turnovers in the early stages of this season. Against the Bears, all three miscues came in the fourth quarter, including a crippling pick-six. In the second quarter on Sunday, Levis was sacked and lost a fumble and threw an interception.

What went wrong: More second-half issues

Versus the Bears in Week 1, the Titans were outscored 21-0 after intermission in their 24-17 loss. Chicago managed all of those points without its offensive unit scoring a touchdown. Coordinator Dennard Wilson’s defense limited the Bears to 148 total yards in the contest, 98 of those in the second half. Meanwhile, the Titans totaled 65 yards of offense and there were three fourth-quarter turnovers—all by Will Levis.

Sound familiar? Along with the aforementioned blocked punt, and Will Levis’ issues with ball security in the first half. it was a lackluster final 30 minutes for Callahan’s club in Sunday’s home loss to the Jets. Tennessee had six possessions, three each in the third and fourth quarters, and punted (or attempted to) four times. In two games this season, the winless Titans have been outscored 38-7 in the second half.