Titans doom themselves in season opener against the Saints
NEW ORLEANS — Self-inflicted wounds cost the Tennessee Titans (0-1) an opportunity on Sunday that was theirs for the taking. Tennesee’s blunders saw them lose a 16-15 contest on the road to the New Orleans Saints (1-0). It is completely fair to say that this was a performance worthy of the saying “same old Titans.” […]
NEW ORLEANS — Self-inflicted wounds cost the Tennessee Titans (0-1) an opportunity on Sunday that was theirs for the taking. Tennesee’s blunders saw them lose a 16-15 contest on the road to the New Orleans Saints (1-0).
It is completely fair to say that this was a performance worthy of the saying “same old Titans.”
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw three interceptions. False starts and other operational issues saw them force a fumble on New Orleans’ opening kickoff return into an offensive drive that lost eight yards and ended in a field goal. Then, after holding things together for the better part of four quarters, the defense that had kept Tennessee solvent allowed a Saints 41-yard completion that allowed them to run the clock out and ice the game.
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Kicker Nick Folk, whom the Titans traded for on August 29, accounted for all 15 of Tennessee’s points in the game.
“You have to do whatever you can to put plays together to get down there and get some points in the end zone and give ourselves a chance,” said running back Derrick Henry. “I think we kept shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties and things like that. Being better on 3rd Down as well. “
Given that Henry is about the only player on the starting offense who acquitted themselves well on Sunday, there’s only so much he can say or do.
The former All-Pro back can be a bit of a crutch for Tennessee at times, regardless of play-caller. The loss at New Orleans felt like the inverse. Henry finished the game with 15 attempts for 63 yards (4.2 ypc) with an additional 56 yards receiving (46 on screen).
10 of those attempts and 51 of those yards happened in the first half of the game.
It’s hard to accuse a Titans coaching staff of going away from the run game very often. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will make adjustments, no doubt, before the team opens at home in a week against the Los Angeles Chargers. All manner of Week 1 results have bizarro world outcomes. Perhaps this was one.
Turnovers lost the game and execution hindered the effort. The defense was again left to pick up the slack until they could no longer.
Same old Titans, indeed.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
