The 2023 Tennessee Titans: Dysfunction at all Levels
The Tennessee Titans fell to the Indianapolis Colts in OT earlier today, and if there were a football definition for meltdown, this would be it. The Titans repeatedly shot themselves in the foot with conservative play-calling, lazy coaching, and ill-advised errors. All these qualities accumulate into one thing: A dysfunctional football team.
The Titans looked sharp and crisp in the first half, as the offense was clicking, and the defense came up with a timely turnover to end the half. Derrick Henry tore up the Colts' run defense for 30 minutes straight, and the King seemed destined for a massive afternoon. But then, the second-half Tennessee Titans came dashing through the tunnel. Derrick Henry, Jeffery Simmons, and Ryan Stonehouse all got hurt in the second half of this game, and the Titans fell apart mentally and physically. Special Teams coach Craig Aukerman cost the Titans this game, as he allowed his punting unit to allow two back-to-back blocked punts, one resulting in a Colt's TD. Additionally, Ryan Stonehouse's injury occurred on the second blocked punt. The Titans also missed a crucial XP on their lone second-half touchdown, which was the icing on the cake for an awful special teams day. Despite Mike Vrabel defending Aukerman in his post-game presser, stating that the special teams' mishaps were on him, there is no reason why Aukerman should be coordinating the Titans' special teams next week...
The special teams were absolutely putrid today, but the Titans' second-half defense and offense were too. Tim Kelly got way too conservative calling plays, and the offensive line penalties just kept pouring in. With adversity staring right at him, Will Levis responded and led the Titans' offense on a pivotal TD drive to tie the game in the 4th. The former Wildcat was far from excellent but deserves close to no blame for the Titan's pitiful loss today. After Derrick Henry exited with a concussion, Tyjae Spears fought admirably in his place and posted career-high numbers. Deandre Hopkins also put forth a solid effort, scoring the Titans' lone second-half touchdown. It was a very up-and-down day for the Titans' defense, and unfortunately, it ended with a down. Michael Pittman Jr and Alec Pierce shredded Tennessee's secondary apart, and DC Shane Bowen had no answers. The Titans' pass rush tried their best to cover this up, but their efforts weren't enough. Sean Murphy-Bunting and Kristian Fulton got toasted the entire day, and no adjustments could be made. Penalties continued to be an issue for both units today as well, and that is when coaching has to come into question...
The Titans are 4-8, and today's loss screams dysfunction—penalties, conservative play-calling, and lethargic coaching some up this game. The Titans don't deserve to compete with the upper echelon of teams in the NFL, and Ran Carthon has a lot of work to do this offseason if he wants to change that...
IMAGES FROM TITANS.COM
STATS FROM PFFR.COM
