NASHVILLE – The NFL season is only two weeks old, and a 0-2 start isn't what anyone had in mind.
A disappointing loss in Week 1 was following by another defeat in Week 2.
Now, the possibility of an 0-3 start is staring the team straight in face.
Yes, this applies to the Titans. It also fits the Las Vegas Raiders, who will visit Nissan Stadium on Sunday looking for their first win of the season.
"(But) it ain't about them," Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said of the Raiders. "It's about us. (Defensive coordinator) Shane Bowen says all the time: "It's about us – he tells the defense that. And that is the message to our team. It's not about seeing who can go 0 and 3. It's about the Tennessee Titans finding a way to get this win."
After blowing a lead against the Giants in Week 1, the Titans were blown out against the Bills on Monday night.
The Raiders aren't happy either. After losing to the Chargers in Week 1, they blew a lead and lost in overtime to the Cardinals on Sunday.
Two teams in desperate need of a win will battle it out in just a few days.
"It's not a good place to be in – you don't want to be 0 and 2," Titans safety Kevin Byard said. "Most guys are upset, but at the end of the day there is nothing we can do about the past at this point. All we can focus on is right now, and finding a way to have a good showing against the Raiders and finding a way to get a W."
Byard on Wednesday rattled off the playmakers for the Raiders, who are led by quarterback Derek Carr. Byard called receiver Davante Adams the best route runner in the league. Darren Waller is "a receiver in a tight end's body" and Hunter Renfrow is "shifty in the slot." Running back Josh Jacobs is a strong runner, Byard noted.
"They have a lot of explosive players on offense," Byard said.
Simmons said the Titans defense, currently ranked 25th in the NFL, needs to step it up.
"We should be motivated," he said. "I am motivated, to be a leader to try and get things on the right track. Talking to a lot of guys, we are on the right track. We are going to be just fine. We are going to take one day at a time, one game at a time."
The Titans also need to get on track on offense.
Through two games the Titans are 27th in the NFL on offense (yards), and 28th in scoring.
The running game hasn't been very successful, and the passing offense has failed to take flight on a consistent basis as well.
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill believes a turnaround is on the horizon.
"There's a lot of belief within our locker room and that's where it all starts," Tannehill said. "We know what we're capable of. We haven't put that on the field so far, but we have the guys we need and the belief that we need to go out and do it. It is just a matter of doing it. You can't talk about it. You can't think about it anymore. It's a matter of going out and making it come to life on Sunday."
