The Tennessee Titans' 2024 NFL season has kicked off with a disheartening 0-3 record, a scenario that none in Nashville had envisaged. Their latest setback came against the Green Bay Packers, a game that exposed more wounds and raised questions about the road ahead.
Quarterback Woes
In the recent clash against the Packers, quarterback Will Levis showed glimpses of promise, completing 26 of 34 passes for 260 yards and tossing two touchdowns. However, the good was tempered by the bad, as Levis also threw two interceptions, one of which was a damaging pick-six and faced relentless pressure, being sacked eight times. These issues are reflective of a team struggling to find its rhythm.
Brian Callahan, clearly exasperated by his team's performance, commented, "Again, I'm not going to overreact to an interception. Those things happen. Guys throw picks. We just can't give it to the other team. We keep giving up points the other way. It's hard to overcome."
The protection issues are glaring, with Levis often besieged by opposing defenses. Callahan acknowledges that the problems extend beyond the quarterback position. "We have to play better around him," he conceded, highlighting the need for comprehensive improvement across all facets of the offensive unit.
Defensive Struggles
The defensive side of the ball hasn't fared much better. Against the Packers, the Titans' defense allowed a whopping 378 total yards, with 188 of those being rushing yards. Such an imbalance and susceptibility to the run game have wreaked havoc on the Titans' ability to keep games competitive.
In Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, the Titans fell 24-17, a scoreline repeated in a Week 2 loss to the New York Jets. Such consistency in defeats underscores the systemic issues the Titans are grappling with and augments the urgency to address defensive lapses.
Leadership and Turnover Concerns
Titans fans had high hopes when veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph joined the team this offseason, bringing with him a respectable career record of 8-4-1 in starts, with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. However, with Ryan Tannehill's departure and current status as a free agent navigating his next move, the Titans find themselves in a transition phase at quarterback.
The turnover battle has decisively not swung in Tennessee's favor. Levis currently leads the NFL in turnovers, a dubious honor marked by three fumbles and five interceptions, leaving him second in the league in interceptions alone. Such instability under center only compounds the Titans' challenges.
No Easy Fixes Ahead
The schedule does not ease up for Tennessee as they prepare to face the Miami Dolphins next, a team looking to improve upon their own 1-2 record. The Titans must face this challenge head-on, grasping for any semblance of progress to halt their deteriorating season.
Callahan, reflecting on the team's struggles, aptly summarized the current predicament. "We've not played a complete game in any phase at any point yet," he stated candidly. The Titans' inefficiencies are manifold, from offensive line breakdowns to defensive shortcomings.
Despite the grim start, Callahan maintains a sense of resilience and determination. "We're capable of way better than what we've put on the field the last three weeks. No one is coming to save us, so we've got to figure it out," he said, urging his squad to elevate their performance and cohesion.
The introspective statements from Callahan highlight both the frustration and the potential hope lying dormant within the team. A recalibration is necessary if the Titans hope to salvage their season and restore pride to their fanbase.
For the Titans, the road to improvement is steep, but not insurmountable. It will demand accountability, strategic adjustments, and a collective commitment to turning words into actions on the gridiron. As the season progresses, the true test will be whether Tennessee can find the unity and fortitude to overcome their early woes and emerge more resilient for the trials they now face.