Titans 10, Bills 0.
It was a startling second-quarter score considering Brian Callahan’s team was using its second string quarterback, and the team they were facing was 4-2 and playing at home.
Of course, all promising things must come to an end. The Tennessee Titans were outscored 27-0 in the second half in their 34-10 loss at Buffalo. It was the most points allowed by the team this season.
Were there any positives at all? There was that brief glimmer of hope.
There were few highlights for the Titans at Buffalo
What went right: The first half
There was an unexpected development reported on late Saturday afternoon. Mason Rudolph would be making his first start for the Titans on Sunday in place of injured quarterback Will Levis. The former Steelers’ signal-caller made a relief appearance in the team’s Week 4 Monday night win at Miami when Levis went down with a shoulder injury. On Sunday afternoon, he got off to a solid start at Orchard Park.
Rudolph connected on 18 of his first 23 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown as Callahan’s club built a 10-0 second-quarter lead. The Titans outgained the defending AFC East champions, 217-90, in the first two quarters. There were a few ominous signs when it came to seven-year signal-caller, as in a pair of fumbles (1 lost) late in the first half. It would prove to be an unfortunate sign of things to come.
What went wrong: The first series of the second half
As mentioned, Tennessee pretty much owned the first half and scored the first 10 points of the game. The Titans won the total yardage battle in the first 30 minutes by 127 yards. Rudolph and company received the second-half kickoff. The Titans marched to their own 45-yard-line and leading by three points, the club faced a third-and one. Running back Tony Pollard was thrown for a one-yard loss. Fourth-and two.
Pollard got the ball again and once again was sent backwards, this time for a three-yard loss. Buffalo took over at the Titans’ 41-yard line. A six-play drive culminated with a Josh Allen 12-yard touchdown pass to newly-acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper, and the Bills never trailed again. Including that drive, Sean McDermott’s club rolled up 299 total yards and 34 unanswered points in the final 27:55 of the contest.
What went wrong: Major change resulted in little change
Rudolph made his second appearance of the season and his first start for the Titans at Orchard Park. He wound up completing 62.5 percent of his passes (25-of-40) for a respectable 215 yards. His four-yard toss to wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine early in the second quarter resulted in a touchdown—the only time Tennessee found the end zone on Sunday. It capped off an impressive eight-play, 75-yard march.
That’s the good news. By game’s end, Mason had fumbled three times, and lost one of those miscues. He was also picked off by Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin. The bottom line? Whether it’s Levis or Rudolph, this team has committed 12 turnovers in six games and all are attributed to the club’s two quarterbacks. They’ve combined for six TD passes and eight interceptions, with four of their six combined fumbles lost.
What went wrong: Big takeaway is no takeaways
Tennessee’s anemic pass rush continues to be a weakness. Coordinator Dennard Wilson’s unit has totaled just 10 quarterback traps in six games this season. Defensive end Arden Key was the lone Titan to get to Allen on Sunday. It’s worth noting that the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs have just as many QB traps in the same number of games. However, Andy Reid’s savvy team has been far more opportunistic.
For the third time in six outings, the Titans failed to take the ball away. The team is stuck on the number three, as in opponents’ turnovers. It’s one of the lowest totals in the league. Dating back to the start of 2023, this club has played a total of 23 games, and come up with only 17 takeaways. Tennessee has picked off just seven passes in those outings, while allowing 28 scores through the air—a 4-to-1 ratio.
What went wrong: More fourth-quarter issues
In five of their first six games, the Titans owned a first-half lead. So how has this club managed just a 1-5 record? Most of the issues have come in the fourth quarter where the Titans have been outscored a combined 57-12—including 17-0 on Sunday at Buffalo. In fact, Callahan’s club has been more than doubled up in the second half by a 94-43 count. Tennessee has allowed a combined 50 first-half points.
The combination of miscues by the quarterbacks and some issues on special teams haven’t helped. The Titans’ offensive line isn’t exactly pounding opposing defenses into submission. Even more depressing is the fact that all 12 of the club’s fourth-quarter points came in the Monday night win at Miami. The club has surely had opportunities to notch a few more wins, but has simply not been able to close the door.