NASHVILLE – The Titans lost 24-20 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things that stood out from the contest:
Hooker's Near Pick 6
Titans safety Amani Hooker gave the Titans a spark early with a near pick-6. On a third-and-goal from the Tennessee eight-yard line, Hooker stepped in front of a pass thrown by Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and picked it off. Hooker raced downfield, and he was tackled at the Philadelphia 10-yard line. The play set up an early touchdown for the Titans, and it gave the team a jump. "I thought I was going to score for sure," Hooker said, "until I got to about the 50-yard line and the legs got a little heavy." Coach Robert Saleh commended Hooker for the play. "It was awesome," Saleh said. "I thought Amani did a really nice job in terms of understanding the route distribution, because it is a split decision that he has to make. And there's a lot of moving parts in that, one where the MIKE linebacker has got to play fast and be decisive so Amani can get the read he needs. And then Amani just slides into that next window and intercepted it. So really well-executed play in that regard."
Not Enough Defense
The Titans showed some spunk on defense in the second half, when they got more pressure on Hurts and forced two punts while also recording another interception (Marcus Harris). But in the end, the effort wasn't good enough. The defense's inability to get off the field on third down (the Eagles converted 11-of-18 in the game) proved costly, and when the defense was presented with an opportunity to slam the door shut at the end, it allowed a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown scoring drive that was capped off with a Philly game-winning touchdown pass with nine seconds left. "We're trying to be the best defense in the NFL, and the best defenses in the NFL live for moment like that, and we do, too," safety Kevin Winston Jr. said. "Presented with that opportunity, we have to make sure we capitalize. In moments like that, we want to end the game on our terms."
Offensive Improvement
Tennessee's offense looked much better compared to Week 1, when the Titans could hardly get anything going. Quarterback Cam Ward completed 13-of-20 passes for 183 yards on Sunday, with explosive pass plays to Elic Ayomanor (41 yards) and Calvin Ridley (25 yards), and a nifty 27-yard run by Tyjae Spears. The Titans ran the ball better (122 rushing yards), and the unit put together some nice drives. Still, the effort wasn't good enough. The team's last possession ended with a field goal instead of a touchdown, and penalties, mistakes, and that sack at the end, hurt the cause. "I just think we had a better showing," Ward said. "We had a better showing running the ball. We had a better pass game. … I still didn't do as much as I really wanted to today, but that's also something I continue to get better at."
Ayomanor's Hurdle
I mentioned Ayomanor's hurdle earlier, and I'm hitting it again here because it caused quite the stir at Nissan Stadium at a time the Titans – and their fans – were feeling it. Ayomanor caught a pass from Ward and he jumped right over Eagles safety Marcus Epps before sprinting down the field for a 41-yard gain. It was part of a go-ahead drive for the Titans. Ayomanor downplayed the highlight-reel play after the game, while teammates said it was cool to see. "You make a play," Ayomanor said. "In the NFL, you are supposed to make plays. That's my job, that's what I am supposed to do." Ayomanor had two catches for 69 yards in the contest. "I had a great view of (the hurdle)," Ward said. "All I had to do was get him the ball, the space was wide and it was a great play call by Dabes (Brian Daboll). That man's an athlete. So, I'm pretty sure that's not the last hurdle we'll see from him."
Gray Returns, and Sheds Light on UTV Accident
Linebacker Cedric Gray cleared concussion protocol on Saturday, and was back in uniform on Sunday for the Titans. Gray was credited with four tackles, including a tackle for a loss. In the locker room after the game, Gray shed some light on the UTV accident he was in earlier this month, which resulted in him missing the opener. "To keep a long story short, it was Labor Day weekend, just went out to the mountains with some friends to see some mountain views," Gray said. "I was in the UTV car, was driving and got met with some oncoming traffic. We were trying to basically kind of squeeze by each other. It was a tight space, and the back wheel of my car kind of went off to the side. And it basically tilted and went tumbling down a little bit. So, it was a pretty freak accident. I'm blessed to be here, blessed to still be alive, blessed to still be able to play this game. It was a pretty freak accident. So, to walk away with just a concussion is a blessing. So, I'm just happy to be here."
No Moral Victories
The Titans were a seven-point underdog on Sunday, and the way the team looked in the opener, not a lot of folks thought the Titans had much of a chance against the Eagles. But the team looked improved, and was one stop away on defense from winning the game. The Titans didn't get it, of course, and the result ended up being a familiar one – another loss. Titans fans don't want to hear about moral victories, not after seeing the Titans go 3-14 in back-to-back years, and after dealing with years of frustration. The Titans made it clear this wasn't a moral victory either. Players admitted it stung more because it was a last-second loss, but no one was patting themselves on the back for putting up a fight. "We're 0 and 2," Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said. "I am frustrated as hell right now."
The Tennessee Titans take on the New Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 at Nissan Stadium.
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Reily Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
The game between the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on September 20, 2026 in Nashville, TN. Photo by Coral Scoles-Coburn/Tennessee Titans
