Titans’ big win is great, but it covers up an ugly truth
The Tennessee Titans got a big road win on Sunday, defeating the division rival Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium by a score of 24-17. The win pushed the Titans to 2-2 on the season, tying them with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the top spot in the AFC South and putting them right back into […]
The Tennessee Titans got a big road win on Sunday, defeating the division rival Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium by a score of 24-17.
The win pushed the Titans to 2-2 on the season, tying them with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the top spot in the AFC South and putting them right back into the division race.
It was also a triumphant return to Indianapolis for Titans running back Derrick Henry, who ran for 114 yards and a touchdown while truly looking like his old self. Henry even had his best play from Sunday withheld from the boxscore after it called back because of a holding penalty.
All of that to celebrate for Titans fans, and this one still leaves a sour taste in your mouth.
The fact of the matter is, the Titans played another ugly second half, and limped their way into another win after doing everything in their power to let it slip away.
Specifically on the offensive side of the ball, the Titans players and coaches have not shown a capacity for putting games away once they get ahead. They’ve also failed to make adjustments and maintain momentum coming out of halftime meetings.
Tennessee earned just three first downs, and were out-gained by the Colts in yardage 195-28 in the second half on Sunday. The Titans have also now been outscored 64-7 by their opponents in the second half this season.
There needs to be some accountability for the Titans coaching staff on this one.
After the Giants game, second half issues were chalked up to rust and Randy Bullock’s missed field goal. After Buffalo, it was the injuries and the talent on the other sideline. After Las Vegas, it was a few missed opportunities and poor execution that made it look worse than it was.
After Indianapolis? There cannot be anymore excuses.
After the game, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t seem too interested in acknowledging the poor play of the team in the second half:
“That's called the national football league. I'm excited to win on the road in the division,” Vrabel said, interrupting ESPN’s Turron Davenport, who posed the question.
Yes, Mike, you should absolutely be excited about your team picking up a big road victory, but that doesn’t mean you can’t acknowledge the fact that things need to get better in the second half.
28 yards and three first downs is not good enough. End of story.
The Titans are lucky enough to be 2-2 and playing in the worst division in football. Their season and playoff hopes are still very much alive, but this team will never reach its full potential if the most glaring issues on the field are not addressed with ambition to be better.
So no, that’s not “called the National Football League,” that’s called a negative tendency.
It’s a negative tendency caused by poor play-calling, lazy operational errors, and a conservative mentality that has left the Titans playing just not to lose.
It has haunted the Titans in their first four football games and will continue to if answers aren’t found soon. And moving froward, opposing teams won't be so kind to let you escape with a win.
Image via Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
