BALTIMORE, Md. – The Titans lost 24-18 to the Ravens here on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Senior Writer and Editor Jim Wyatt takes a look at six things that stood out from the contest:
Empty Possession
With the Ravens leading 14-7 in the second quarter, the Titans had a first-and-goal at the Ravens eight-yard line, with a chance to tie it. What followed: Four straight run plays, and no points. A first down run by running back Tony Pollard netted three yards, and then a second down run produced two more. On third down, Pollard carried it to the two with a one-yard run. Then, on fourth-and-goal from the two, the Titans had Pollard take a direct snap, and he was stuffed for no gain. This is where the game turned. "I felt like we were running be ball fairly well," Titans head coach Robert Saleh said. "It's something I'll definitely have a conversation with Dabes (OC Brian Daboll) about. But I do know that in those situations, those guys work their tails off to make sure that we are calling the best plays for those situations, based on what we've seen on tape. So, I am pleased with the preparation that goes into it. We'll watch the tape and see what we could have done better."
98-Yard Drive Allowed
The game turned there because the Ravens responded with an eight-play, 98-yard drive going the other way. A 52-yard pass from quarterback Lamar Jackson to receiver Zay Flowers set up a three-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews, and that made the score 21-7. The Ravens added three more points before halftime. So, instead of a close, competitive contest heading into the third quarter, the Titans were left playing catch up because of their inability to get points, and a stop. "That was a big swing in momentum against us," Pollard said. "But we have to be professionals, come out and respond."
Costly Turnovers
The Titans also hurt themselves with turnovers. On the team's second offensive play of the game, quarterback Cam Ward flipped the ball to Pollard just before he was going to the ground. The ball went off of Pollard's hands, and into the hands of a Ravens defender. "Every day of the week," Pollard said. "I expect to make that play." The Ravens cashed that turnover in for a touchdown. Later in the first half, Titans receiver Carnell Tate made a catch downfield, but he fumbled the ball. The Ravens cashed that in for three more points. So, these two turnovers ended up costing the Titans 10 points.
Tate's Day
Tate had his most productive day as a pro, making nine catches for 145 yards. Tate had a 33-yard grab in the first half, and another 33-yard grab in the first half. But Tate beat himself up after the game for the plays he didn't make, and for the turnover. Tate let a few footballs, albeit bullets, go off of his hands. "I think it's a lesson learned – you have to hold onto the ball," Tate said. "Going into halftime, if I hold onto the ball, who knows, maybe we go out there and put seven points on (the scoreboard). But instead, I cough up the ball and they score on a field goal. I have to hold onto the ball next time."
Defending Derrick
The Titans didn't let Ravens running back Derrick Henry embarrass them. The Titans great had a hard-earned 73 yards on 23 carries, with a five-yard touchdown run. Henry's longest run of the day was just 14 yards, and his average on the day was 3.2 yards. The Titans hit Henry behind the line of scrimmage on a number of plays, and they hit him hard. Of course Henry didn't have Jackson out there with him in the second half, so the Titans were able to focus on Henry. Titans safety Amani Hooker, Henry's teammate with the Titans, had to leave the game to get checked for a concussion after a collision with Henry in the second half. "It was fun playing against Derrick," Hooker said. "On that (one play), he's a big train coming down and I threw my body in front of him and did my best, and took a knee to the head."
Wasted Possessions
The Titans made it close late, putting together a seven-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass from Ward to receiver Wan'Dale Robinson with 1:12 remaining. After the two-point conversion toss from Ward to tight end Gunnar Helm, it was a six-point game. The Titans, of course, didn't get the ball back because the Ravens recovered the ensuing onside kick. The Titans had several opportunities to put pressure on the Ravens, playing with back-up QB Tyler Huntley, in the second half as the defense got a number of stops. But each time, the offense failed to produce with three straight three-and-outs in the middle portion of the second half. It allowed the game to stay 24-10 for too long, and the lack of success thwarted any real chance for a comeback win.
