NASHVILLE, Tenn.: The Tennessee Titans are operating out of time to salvage this season.
The Titans (3-6) have misplaced two straight and 4 of 5 after a 20-6 loss in Tampa Bay. They haven’t received on the street since Nov. 17, 2022, making Tennessee the AFC’s lone winless group away from residence at 0-5. Arizona is the NFL’s solely different group nonetheless searching for a street win.
They wrap up a 3-recreation street swing Sunday by visiting Jacksonville with the Jaguars (6-3) sitting atop the AFC South poised to repeat as divisional champs.
That’s the place the Titans’ bid for a 3rd straight division title got here to an finish within the 2022 common-season finale.
“We’re here to fix problems, and none of us have been good enough at any position, at any level,” coach Mike Vrabel stated Monday.
“So that’s our job. That’s what I’m going to do, and I know that’s what our team’s going to do. So we’ll give ourselves a chance. We’ll get a plan together and get back to work.”
One factor that must be fastened rapidly is defending rookie Will Levis higher. Veteran Ryan Tannehill was sacked 19 occasions in six begins, and the No. 33 choose general out of Kentucky has been sacked 10 occasions in three begins, going 1-2. That included 4 sacks within the loss to Tampa Bay with 21 pressures allowed.
Vrabel stated they’d too many drops within the loss and left “too much meat on the bone.” Levis was 19 of 39 for 199 yards with one interception.
WHAT’S WORKING
The protection ranks tenth within the NFL, giving up simply 20 factors a recreation. The Titans are also the league’s second-finest unit backed up inside their 20, permitting opponents to attain touchdowns on solely 34.2% of journeys.
The Titans even have the fewest interceptions within the league, getting their third of the season towards Tampa Bay. Roger McCreary, a second-spherical choose in his second season, received his first interception this season towards the Bucs.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The revamped offensive line is worse regardless of all of the offseason strikes with the Titans twenty ninth within the NFL in giving up 33 sacks. The exception is Peter Skoronski, the eleventh general choose, with the Titans insisting on preserving him at left guard.
Veteran proper guard Daniel Brunskill missed the Bucs’ loss with an injured ankle. Andre Dillard, one other free agent signee, received his left deal with job again briefly after Nicholas Petit-Frere went on injured reserve with an injured shoulder. Then Dillard was knocked out of the sport with a concussion.
That compelled the Titans to maneuver Dillon Radunz, a second-spherical choose in 2021, from proper guard to left deal with. Andrew Rupcich, who performed at NAIA Culver-Stockton, made his NFL debut at proper guard because the twentieth undrafted free agent on the present roster.
STOCK UP
WR Kyle Philips. The second-12 months receiver, who was a fifth-spherical choose, led the Titans with 61 yards receiving on three catches.
STOCK DOWN
Radunz. He performed 59 snaps towards the Bucs, most at left deal with. He was flagged for a false begin on consecutive performs that turned a second-and-2 into a 3-and-out.
Vrabel stated Monday rookie Jaelyn Duncan, a sixth-spherical select of Maryland, might be an choice at left deal with. Duncan already is amongst 10 rookies to play this season.
INJURIES
Dillard is within the concussion protocol. The Titans additionally misplaced LB Chance Campbell, signed from the apply squad Saturday, who was harm throughout pregame warmups. Starting CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (thumb) has missed a lot of the previous two video games with an injured thumb.
They actually need WR Treylon Burks to clear the concussion protocol quickly after he was briefly knocked out late within the Nov. 2 loss at Pittsburgh.
KEY NUMBER
Five — The variety of video games remaining within the AFC South and the house video games the Titans have left this season. They’re undefeated in Nashville and may’t get residence quickly sufficient.
NEXT STEPS
Find a method to rating greater than 16 factors away from residence, which they haven’t managed but this season. And begin climbing up from the underside of the AFC with solely New England at the moment beneath Tennessee. Right now, a potential high-5 choice subsequent April appears extra real looking than competing within the AFC South.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
