Post Game Reaction — Commanders Handle the Titans with Ease
Well, there’s always next year right? The Titans blew up yet again when faced with a modicum of success from the week prior. The Titans quickly fell to a 14-0 lead after two long drives by the Commanders. Then, inexplicably Tony Pollard fumbles the ball deep in Titans territory. Shortly thereafter the Commanders add a touchdown lead. So it’s 21-0 and it’s still the first quarter — not bad right? Well, as luck will have it Jha’Quan Jackson is once again back to return kickoffs off the 21-0 score and lo’ and behold he fumbles the ball and of course the ball must roll the oppositions way. Commanders get the ball on the short field and once again add a TD to their lead quickly into the second quarter. From there it only got worse as the Titans put up at least two garbage time touchdowns — both to NWI by the way — to cut the ultimate score down to a measly 42-19.
Considering that the game was ost within the first 17 minutes Will Levis didn’t play all that bad. He threw for 48% completion percentage (numerous drops) and still had over 200 yards and 2 TDs. He suffered from numerous drops from Pollard, NWI, and Ridley. Those issues compounded quickly in the first quarter which ultimately led to the Titans quick 28-0 deficit. Currently, Will Levis is showing that he’ll get another year in the Titans offense. There isn’t much of today that falls on him. Even if the Titans didn’t believe Levis was the answer the Titans aren’t going to be in range — as of this moment — to select the top 2 QB’s in the draft. PFF graded Levis’ performance today and gave him his highest rating of the year with an 86.3 grade. That grade passes the eye test given Levis could have had a lot more help from his pass catchers and if his team wasn’t so defunct would have at least been in a mangable position to win the game.
The Titans defense was utterly useless today. They gave up two long scoring drives (before the Pollard and Jackson fumbles) and never were competitive. There were gaping holes all day for Brian Robinson Jr., Chris Rodriguez and former Titan Jeremy Nichols — who didn’t see that coming. When the Titans weren’t getting gashed in the run game they were allowing drives to continue easily through the air as Jayden Daniels found Terry McLaurin early and often along with Dyami Brown and Zach Ertz. The Commanders outgained the Titans 484 yards to 235. Outside of the Houston game the Titans defense has too often been unable to field a competitive defense. The defense itself are either giving up too many big plays or allowing drives to continue on questionable defensive penalties. Somehow or another the Titans defense needs to find a way — like last week against Houston — to stop opposing offenses. The Titans should be getting Chidobe Awuzie back soon so that should stop some of the bleeding but the season at 3-8 is already over and it’s too little to late.
Although the Titans lost they took a hit to their draft position. They’re now slated to draft 7th overall as 5 teams are at 3-10 or 3-9. In that group the Titans strength of schedule is the second highest at .507. The Titans need so much help that getting as high as the third overall pick could help speed along the rebuild, yes, rebuild.
What’s Next
The Titans will face the Jaguars next Sunday in which they may not have to seen Trevor Lawrence after former Titan Azeez Al-Shair destroyed him and was ejected from the egregious hit. The Titans may very well find their 4th win of the season next week against a probable Mac Jones. Don’t get it twisted. The Titans are not a good football team despite what may happen over the next 5 weeks. The season is over.
Azeez Al-Shaair drills another quarterback and injured him after the play.
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) December 1, 2024
Not sure why he became such a dirty player after leaving the #Titans pic.twitter.com/YboauPvyDZ
