Where the Titans luck has flipped in one-score games
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans (5-10) lost to the Seattle Seahawks (8-7) by a score of 20-17 on Sunday. Tennessee's record in one-score games under coach Mike Vrabel used to be a perpetual bragging point. Lately, the script has flipped. "It's always frustrating when you lose," said Vrabel. "It comes down to a handful of […]
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans (5-10) lost to the Seattle Seahawks (8-7) by a score of 20-17 on Sunday. Tennessee's record in one-score games under coach Mike Vrabel used to be a perpetual bragging point.
Lately, the script has flipped.
"It's always frustrating when you lose," said Vrabel. "It comes down to a handful of plays just like we saw today whether it's us making one, us not making one, them making one, a penalty here. That's what it comes down to, and we've seen that. There'll be a lot of good plays in there, and unfortunately, there's just some plays there that ended up getting (you) beat in a close game."
The Titans are 4-7 in games decided by eight points or less in 2023. Losing to Seattle after leading 10-3 at the half and holding a 17-13 lead with 3:21 remaining in the fourth quarter is emblematic of Tennessee's season. Running back Derrick Henry retook the Titans lead with a 2-yard run.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith promptly drove his offense 75 yards in 14 plays for the game-winning score.
The result was an expected one. That the margin of defeat for Tennessee continues to be so close has taken its toll on the players and coaches still striving for wins over draft order. The Titans were 21-11, including the postseason, in one-score games from 2018-2021.
Vrabel-led teams are 9-13 in such games since the team's last postseason appearance as the No. 1 overall seed in the 2021 AFC playoffs.
No major revelations are required to understand why their luck has turned. The same issues that have plagued Tennessee during the last 13 months of losing remain consistent.
An offensive line that allowed 50 sacks coming into Week 16 gave up six more sacks on Sunday. Not all of that can be blamed on the players up front. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, subbing in for injured rookie Will Levis, took two critical sacks in the final :57 seconds in the Titans final possession.
"Yeah, it's a super fine line, right?" said Tannehill. "Because a lot of times you're able to hit those downfield throws at the last second. Get the ball off at the last second, right? You get the backer to hold, or the safety to run, whatever the case may be and get the ball off at the last second.
"Those are going to be tight windows downfield, and they know the ball is going downfield. It’s a tough situation but it takes a little time for those things to develop."
A depleted defense, with starters like defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and safety Amani Hooker shut down for the season on Injured Reserve, struggled to get to smith or cover Seattle's collection of talented skill players when it mattered most. Tennessee's one-score luck turning sour is no coincidence.
Separation among NFL teams is razor thin, and the Titans lack of top end talent is just good enough to keep losing in the margins.
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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sport.
