The Tennessee Titans stumbled into Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season still searching for their first victory, now sitting at 0-3 after a tough series of losses. The latest setback came against the Green Bay Packers, who handed the Titans a 30-14 defeat, highlighting several vulnerabilities in the Tennessee squad.
Quarterback Will Levis had a mixed performance, completing 26 of 34 passes for 260 yards and throwing two touchdowns. However, his mistakes were costly, as he threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Making matters worse, Levis was sacked eight times by the Packers’ relentless defense, making it a challenging evening under center.
“We’ve not played a complete game in any phase at any point yet,” said Brian Callahan, underlining a collective underperformance. “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.”
Defensively, the Titans struggled significantly, conceding 378 total yards against the Packers. The run defense was particularly porous, allowing 188 rushing yards, which put additional pressure on an already struggling offense. This porous defense has been a recurring theme for Tennessee, and improvement is urgently needed.
Reviewing the season so far, the Titans have narrowly lost their first two games, both by a score of 24-17, first against the Chicago Bears and then the New York Jets. The consistent inability to close out close games has only added to their woes. Levis, while showing flashes of his potential, has also been a turnover machine, recording five interceptions and three fumbles, leading the NFL in turnovers.
“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,” Callahan emphasized, attempting to take some pressure off his young quarterback.
The offseason saw notable changes for the Titans, with Ryan Tannehill departing the team and navigating free agency in hopes of finding a new landing spot. To fill the void, Tennessee brought in Mason Rudolph, who has a career record of 8-4-1 as a starter, with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. However, the starting job has been handed to Levis, who is now under pressure to perform and reduce his turnovers.
“We have to play better around him,” Callahan insisted, suggesting that the responsibility doesn’t rest solely on Levis's shoulders. The entire team needs to elevate its game to support their signal-caller and reduce the back-breaking mistakes on both sides of the ball.
Looking ahead, the Titans prepare to face the Miami Dolphins, a team that’s also struggling with a 1-2 record. This upcoming game provides an opportunity for Tennessee to try and secure their first win of the season and start turning things around.
For the Titans to change their fortunes, it will require a more cohesive performance across all phases of the game. The defense needs to limit big plays and tighten up against the run, while the offensive line must provide better protection for Levis. Meanwhile, Levis must find a way to balance his playmaking abilities with better decision-making to cut down on turnovers.
Each game forward will be pivotal for the Tennessee Titans as they strive to overcome a rough start and demonstrate they are capable of much more than what they've shown thus far. The task ahead of them is challenging, but not insurmountable, requiring a collective effort and improved execution across the board.