Things only seem to be getting worse for Brian Callahan’s team. While the Tennessee Titans managed to score 30 points on Sunday at Indianapolis, the team gave up 38 and were down by 31 points midway through the third quarter. Coordinator Dennard Wilson’s highly-ranked defensive unit, which has taken a bit of a beating the last two games, was gashed in an embarrassing way on the ground.
The Titans’ record dropped to 3-12, the most losses by the franchise in a season since 2015 when the club finished 3-13. To their credit, the team fought until the end but had dug themselves too big of a hole, but still came up very short.
Titans humbled at Indianapolis
What went right: Interceptions suit Amani
Early in the season, the Titans lacked a consistent ability to force turnovers. In the club’s first 10 games, the team totaled a mere seven takeaways—one of those a fumble recovery on special teams. While Wilson’s defense was doing a good job limiting opposing offenses, a spotty pass rush didn’t help the fact that Tennessee defenders picked off only three passes in those first 10 outings, all by the same player.
Six-year safety Amani Hooker was at it again on Sunday. He came up with his fifth interception of the season, setting a new career high. It’s also worth noting that the Titans have picked off eight passes in their last five games, and have 10 total takeaways over that span. Hooker has nearly half of the Titans’ 11 interceptions. He’s second on the team with 70 defensive stops, and leads the club in passes defensed (9).
What went right: Nick’s knack for touchdown grabs
Consider that general manager Ran Carthon and the organization this offseason shelled out big bucks for one-time Jaguars’ wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and also added veteran Tyler Boyd. The latter came over from Cincinnati and is certainly familiar with Callahan’s offensive system. Yes, shaky quarterback play has not helped as neither performer has produced in a big way this season. Still, give credit where it’s due.
Wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine scored in the fourth quarter on Sunday. The former undrafted free agent not only leads Tennessee in touchdowns this season (9), he’s among the NFL’s best pass-catchers in finding the end zone. Westbrook-Ikhine is tied for fifth in the NFL with nine touchdown receptions, and he’s done on only 25 catches. Consider the rest of the Titans have combined for only 11 TD grabs in 2024.
What went wrong: Rudolph knows his throws weren’t so bright
Now that time has been taken to focus on two players who have been solid performers throughout 2024, the focus turns to a rough afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. Last week, Callahan announced that Mason Rudolph would get the start in place of Will Levis. It will be interesting to see how the final two weeks of the season plays out. This was not a permanent decision, compared to what the Falcons’ did with Kirk Cousins.
Yes, Tennessee was down 38-7 and managed to score the final 23 points of the game. Rudolph finished the afternoon with 252 yards through the air, and a pair of TD tosses to Ridley and Westbrook-Ikhine. However, he also served up three interceptions, the last on the final play of the game. Levis (12) and Rudolph (8) have combined for 20 interceptions, tied with the Browns for the highest total in the league.
What went wrong: Titans defense made for Taylor
You could almost see it coming in recent weeks. The Tennessee defense in terms of yards allowed and passing yards allowed has remained at the top or near the top of the league for the majority of the season. However, slowly but surely, the team has become extremely susceptible to opposing ground games. That was certainly evident on Sunday against the Colts and talented running back Jonathan Taylor.
He totaled 29 carries for 218 yards and three scores, including TD runs of 65 and 70 yards. Quarterback Anthony Richardson added 70 yards rushing. All told, the Colts set a new single-game franchise record with a staggering 335 yards on the ground. Indianapolis finished with 62 offensive plays, 50 of those running plays. Meanwhile, it was the second-most rushing yards allowed by the Oilers/Titans franchise.
What went wrong: Owned by Colts once again
Make it four consecutive losses to the Colts by the Titans, and every one of those setbacks has been decided by eight points or less. Still, a look at the bigger picture shows that the team’s recent woes over the past two-plus seasons have been lowlighted by the fact that this club has had plenty of problems with their rivals in the AFC South over that span. Was the Week 12 upset of the Texans at Houston just a tease?
Under head coach Mike Vrabel, the Titans won consecutive division titles in 2020 and ’21, They were a combined 10-2 vs. divisional those years, 5-1 each season. Add in the fact that during the team’s 7-3 start in 2022, three of those wins came via a sweep of the Colts. That meant a 13-2 mark in 15 games vs. their AFC South foes over that span, However, the club now owns a 2-11 record in its last 13 divisional games.