NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans brought in an offensive-minded head coach with a new staff and spent a bunch of money along with using a lot of draft picks in the offseason.
Yet even with all the changes, they are 1-4.
The Titans have lost three games by a touchdown or less, the latest defeat was 20-17 to Indianapolis on Sunday when they failed to protect a 17-10 lead going into the fourth quarter. Worse, they couldn't stay on the field after their AFC South rival took the lead for good.
“We’ve got to find a way to finish in the fourth quarter," first-year coach Bill Callahan said.
Callahan is in his first season calling plays after being the offensive coordinator the past five seasons in Cincinnati. He was hired to replace Mike Vrabel. Yet, the Titans are now 7-22 since a 7-3 start to the 2022 season.
The new coach said Monday there's no reprieve and the Titans have to keep working with a second-year quarterback Will Levis, who had to learn a completely new system. Callahan is optimistic and sees the Titans as a team capable of winning games. He can point to a lot of positives.
“When you're 1-4, the negative obviously gets highlighted and that's as it should,” Callahan said.
The Titans insist they are sticking together.
“Nobody's going to come in and save us,” said center Lloyd Cushenberry, one of six new starters on offense in the latest game.
Safety Amani Hooker, who got the defense's first interception, is a veteran among six new starters against the Colts.
His take? “We understand that we've got the pieces. We understand that we're a few plays away."
What’s working
In a major sign of improvement or indictment of how poor pass protection has been, the Titans ended a 33-game stretch by not allowing a sack going back to Oct. 18, 2021, against Buffalo.
They swapped out right tackles, sitting Nicholas Petit-Frere and giving Leroy Watson IV his first NFL start. They traded for Watson who played seven games in Cleveland under the Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Watson did have three penalties, including a pair of false starts and a holding penalty.
The head coach made clear that Watson wasn't terrible or great with right tackle a spot still up for grabs.
What needs help
The Titans have to figure out how to stay on the field and score points in the fourth quarter. They have 12 through five games combined in the final 15 minutes. Five teams managed to top that on Sunday alone.
It's an issue still lingering from last season despite all the coaching and roster changes. That team was outscored 111-64, averaging a mere 3.7 points per game.
Stock up
RB Tony Pollard. He had his best game yet and just missed his first 100-yard rushing performance in over a year. He ran 17 times for 93 yards and a touchdown while catching all three passes thrown to him. The challenge? He lost 5 yards combined on those passes with poor blocking around him.
Stock down
WR Calvin Ridley. Yes, expectations for the veteran are as large as the contract the Titans gave him. He was frustrated after being targeted eight times with no catches. The one interception came on a pass to Ridley. He's caught nine of the 27 passes thrown to him this season.
Callahan said multiple issues are involved but challenge is making plays at crucial moments. He's glad they have Ridley and need more and better from that connection with Levis.
Injuries
RB Tyjae Spears will be week to week with an injured calf that knocked him out at halftime. Callahan said he'll be questionable for the next game.
Key numbers
11 for 113 — The Titans had not been hurting themselves with penalties this season. They were flagged for a season high in penalties and yards off penalties. One for illegal contact erased a would-be interception by rookie Jarvis Brownlee Jr. late in the first half.
Next steps
The Titans are staring at a 1-6 start with a visit to Buffalo on Sunday followed by a trip to Detroit (4-1). That makes cleaning up penalties and scoring more in the fourth quarter crucial.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press
