Tennessee Titans running out of time to salvage season because of road woes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans are running out of time to salvage this season.
The Titans (3-6) have lost two straight and four of five after a 20-6 loss in Tampa Bay. They haven’t won on the road since Nov. 17, 2022, making Tennessee the AFC’s lone winless team away from home at 0-5. Arizona is the NFL’s only other team still looking for a road win.
They wrap up a three-game road swing Sunday by visiting Jacksonville with the Jaguars (6-3) sitting atop the AFC South poised to repeat as divisional champs.
That’s where the Titans’ bid for a third straight division title came to an end in the 2022 regular-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 said 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 thing that has to be fixed quickly is protecting rookie Will Levis better. Veteran Ryan Tannehill was sacked 19 times in six starts, and the No. 33 pick overall out of Kentucky has been sacked 10 times in three starts, going 1-2. That included four sacks in the loss to Tampa Bay with 21 pressures allowed.
Vrabel said they had too many drops in 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 defense ranks 10th in the NFL, giving up just 20 points a game. The Titans also are the league’s second-best unit backed up inside their 20, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on only 34.2% of trips.
The Titans also have the fewest interceptions in the league, getting their third of the season against Tampa Bay. Roger McCreary, a second-round pick in his second season, got his first interception this season against the Bucs.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The revamped offensive line is worse despite all the offseason moves with the Titans 29th in the NFL in giving up 33 sacks. The exception is Peter Skoronski, the 11th overall pick, with the Titans insisting on keeping him at left guard.
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