NASHVILLE – The Titans lost 25-3 to the Jaguars on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Senior Writer and Editor Jim Wyatt takes a look at six things that stood out in the contest:
A Tough Day for Cam and the Offense
After some encouraging performances in recent weeks, I thought quarterback Cam Ward took a step back on Sunday. Ward held the ball too long on too many occasions, threw short of the yard to gain marker on too many occasions, and he just looked out of sorts. His longest completion of the day was just 16 yards. But let's face it, Ward's had defenders in his face too soon and too often all season, and the long down-and-distance situations make his job harder. One sequence summed up how the day went on offense for Tennessee, and it happened in the fourth quarter. Ward missed a wide open Elic Ayomanor on third down, and on fourth down Ayomanor dropped a ball in his hands. It was that kind of day for the Titans, who managed just 11 first downs and 188 yards of offense. Eventually, Ward thinks the Titans will benefit from their struggles. "To win, you got to lose," said Ward, who was 24-of-38 for 141 yards in the game. "So, at the end of the day just continue to get better, try not to make the same mistakes each and every day. But eventually the storm's going to end and all of us in the locker room we'll remember all this moment, we'll remember the guys who's on the team of this year and we'll be excited for the future."
Too Many Penalties
I'm getting tired of seeing penalty flags on the field, and I know fans are, too. Interim coach Mike McCoy is frustrated about it as well, and so are the players. Unfortunately, it keeps happening, again and again and again. The Titans were penalized 10 more times for 86 yards on Sunday, and the infractions included everything from personal fouls and unnecessary roughness penalties to false starts, encroachments and a maddening delay of game. Safety Mike Brown was disqualified from the contest following a skirmish in the fourth quarter. These Titans continue to make life harder with all these penalties. "I think there's two scores they have at the end of the half, and then at the beginning of the second half the penalties extended drives," McCoy said. "We can't have those penalties. It's unacceptable. We can't be doing it. It's hard enough to win, and to stop teams defensively and move the ball offensively. We've had the past couple weeks, I'd say, way too many penalties."
Restrepo Injury
Titans receiver Xavier Restrepo has been a great underdog story, an undrafted player – and teammate of Cam Ward's in Miami – trying to make a name for himself in the NFL. Restrepo made his NFL debut last week, and his presence reenergized the fan base to a degree. All of that made it more deflating when Restrepo was carted off the field following a right ankle injury late in the game after making a catch. "(I told him): God's got him," Ward said. "He has a plan for all of us. And losing him, he's a real key piece, .. the energy he brings every day. And that's sad to see that, one of your homeboys to go out like that. But you see the guys who came over there and helped him up. You see the guys just on a knee on the sideline praying for him. So, we're going to all continue to rally each other, but that's something that you never want to see." After the game, McCoy said Restrepo is still being evaluated and he'd have more answers on Monday on his condition.
Pollard's Day
McCoy singled out running back Tony Pollard after the game, after he rushed 10 times for 60 yards. Pollard ripped off runs of 10, 11 and 17 yards early, and it was an encouraging development after struggles in the run game in recent weeks. "I'll say this: I think Tony Pollard did a great job running the football today," McCoy said. "Very physical." After falling behind, the Titans pretty much had to abandon the run in the second half, however, when Pollard had just four carries for 17 yards. And Pollard's fumble in the fourth quarter put a damper on his day. "I mean it's probably the best we've ran in a few weeks," Pollard said. "But it's a lot more that we can grow from that and get better with."
Third and Fourth Down Offense
I mentioned the struggles on offense right out of the gate. Another one of the big issues that contributed to the stagnant showing: The Titans converted just 2-of-12 third-down opportunities, which is 16.7 percent. The team was also just 1-of-4 on fourth down. The inability to extend drives frustrated fans, especially when McCoy decided to punt it away on shorter down and distance situations. Those scenarios have left Ward frustrated as well. "He knows my mindset as a quarterback," Ward said. "I want go for it every chance, especially now with what our record displays. And we just got to continue to be the aggressive team."
Fans Need a Reason to Believe
It's been a tough year for Titans fans. Heck, it's been a tough couple of years. The harsh reality is the team has lowered expectations so much, close losses – and any signs of improvement – have felt like a win to fans in recent weeks. Well, even that went out the window on the final day of November, when the Jaguars came into Nissan Stadium and punked the Titans on their own field. I'm not going to say the Titans didn't play hard, or without an edge, because they literally fought on multiple occasions. But the Titans didn't play very smart, and they certainly didn't play well in a lopsided, and humbling defeat. With five games left, the Titans need to give fans something they can feel good about – other than potentially having the first overall pick once again.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13 at Nissan Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Camden Hall/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Beau Brune/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars compete at Nissan Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
