NASHVILLE – Well, that was better.
But still, not good enough.
The Titans lost a close one on Sunday, when they let a late lead slip away in the final seconds in a 24-20 loss to the Eagles.
Next up is a trip to face the New York Giants.
Let's dive into the latest Titans mailbag to see what fans are thinking …
Here's the link to ask questions: CLICK HERE.
Will Turner from Lebanon, Tennessee
Question: Ummm...I thought we learned our lesson about playing it safe last season...settling for field goals when we have time and downs to go for touchdowns...
Is the coaching staff afraid of taking chances?
At the end of the first half -- Could have tried for a touchdown. Instead, ran time off the clock and settled for a field goal.
At the end of the 4th quarter -- Could have tried for the touchdown, who cares if we're 15 yards out, but instead clearly decided in favor of the "sure thing" field goal.
Do the coaches not trust Cam? He hasn't made a single careless mistake. He's protected the ball. He showed up Sunday. Not perfect, but making plays and protecting the ball. Are the coaches scared of turnovers or Cam making costly mistakes? I don't get it.
In my opinion, this loss is on the coaching staff. The players showed up. And the team made good adjustments during the game, so I know the coaching quality is there, but are they scared of making mistakes?
Go for it! Don't settle!
The team looked hungry, scrappy, ready to take it to the Eagles -- and they did! But Coach Saleh let them down...
This team is going to really get it going after a couple more games. I hope Coach Saleh gives them the chance to win in key moments. Like, going for it on 4th and goal early on. More of that mindset, please!
Jim: I hear ya, Will. I thought the end of the first half was conservative, but I understood it. On 3rd and 14 from the 22, as badly as the Titans were outplayed in the first half, a chance to go to halftime down just 14-10 kind of made sense to me. Toward the end of the game, when it got to 2nd and goal from the 18 and 3rd and goal from the 15, I thought field goal was the right call, to take the lead. But I understand where you're coming, because it might've decided the outcome of the game. With that said, I can only imagine what the reaction would have been if the team turned the ball over at either point. I'm sure folks will say this is a case of the "team guy" defending the team, but that's my honest take and I haven't hesitated to say in here when I've disagreed on things in the past.
There were other things to be mad at: The Latham false start that created the longer down and distance before the half, and the terrible sack allowed, and questionable bootleg call, on first and goal from the nine just before the two-minute warning. But more than anything, the Titans would've won the game with a stop on defense, and the Eagles drove the field and scored with relative ease. The team did play a lot better, but that's not good enough. If you're looking to blame someone, you can point it on everyone – players and coaches. Robert Saleh pretty much said this himself. I say the Titans played well enough to win, but also made enough mistakes that caused them to lose.
Tobias Hildesheim from Hamburg, Germany
Question: Hey Jim! Yes, we lost again. But I expected a blowout. Instead there was hope, hype and excitement. Did we make some dumb mistakes? Yes. But we showed the will to win, even against such a juggernaut.
So: Thank you to the team! With that kind of effort, we can win games!
Jim: It was an improvement for sure, Tobias, but the team needs to find ways to win these games.
Nathan Scott from Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Question: Well that was a great game at least. It like halfway restored my faith in the Titans? They're clearly working on their weaknesses every week. If they beat the Giants next week and look like a good team, I will feel like they are at least somewhat in the mix for the playoffs. What do you think?
Jim: Playoffs? Playoffs!? (Jim Mora voice). This team just needs to win a game!
Jerry Miller from O'Fallon, Missouri
Question: Hello there Jim. So not how I was wanting that game to end. I would say a lot more to be excited about than the first game. I'm expecting ups and downs this year with a new coaching staff and system. Hopefully with the beautiful new stadium opening next year. Titans make a run like they did last time with a new stadium. So my biggest complaint is not the team or ownership. It's with the fans or lack there of. Watching that game yesterday it looked and sounded like a home game for the Eagles. Look I know winning cures that but lets look at other teams that never have that issue. The Browns have been one of the worst teams in the NFL and you never see that happing in their stadium. Even on the home opener the Jets fans were all over that stadium. Again another team you don't see that happening in. I don't live in Nashville but I've followed this franchise since Moon. I don't think the residents of Nashville understand how lucky they are to have a NFL team and a brand new stadium coming plus the Super Bowl coming in 2030. Look living in STL I got a first hand view of what happens when you have a owner who doesn't care about the city and just takes the team away. Bud loved the Oilers/Titans and Amy loves the Titans and Nashville. How do all these visitors get so many tickets to Titans home games? Anyway that's my complaining. Nashville you need to TITANUP and make Nissan rock on home games!!!
Jim: Hi Jerry. As I said in here last week, it's embarrassing to see so many fans of the opposing team's fans at games. I think Sunday might have been the all-timer. So, whose fault is it? Well, the team has to take some of the blame. The Titans have lost so many games in recent years that a lot of fans have clearly lost interest in the team. It's impacted season ticket sales, and because more tickets are available, fans of the opposing team can buy them up. And, I think we all know some Titans season ticket members are selling their tickets to these games on the secondary market, trying to make money, and that's their prerogative. I get the heat was terrible on Sunday as well, which kept folks at home. With all that said, I do see some of the same die-hard Titans fans there every single week, cheering the team on, win or lose, no matter what the record is. I have a lot of respect for those fans, and their commitment, and I understand their frustration when they have folks in green or purple or red or whatever color show up to sit beside them, or behind them, because that ticket has been sold to fans of the opposing team. I've seen several social media posts from some of them, complaining about the team's "fair-weather" fans. The Titans, of course, can help make this situation better by winning more games, and creating more excitement. Because the team clearly needs to develop more loyal, die-hard fans who are willing to come to games no matter what, not just when the team is winning, or the weather is nice.
Christa Thompson from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Jim, Can you PLEASE tell the Titans administration or whomever needs to know that even though we didn't win Sunday and it was beyond Hades hot, the flyover from the 58th Airlift Squadron of the 97th Air Mobility Wing was breathtaking!! I have never heard the "almost" silence in the stadium as it was yesterday when those 2 planes made their appearance. I can't stop watching it and each time I do, my tears roll. I have never been more proud to be a Nashvillian, from Tennessee or a die hard Titans fan as I was yesterday during the National Anthem. Thank you for making us proud and showing Eagles fans what true Patriotism is and love of country. We love Titans!!!! TITAN UP!!!!!!! Thank you for listening!
Christa K. Thompson
A True Titan's Fan - REGARDLESS!!!!!
Jim: Love hearing this. Thanks, Christa.
Austin Moncler from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: The culture of wanting to win and hating losing is showing up. That's what we needed to see more of.
Our defense continued to improve and will continue to build on its positives and learn from the negatives. The zone communication I feel is what's hampering us the most. Passes over the middle can't be that easy to find. I understand it against players that can run from the qb position that zone is more advantageous, but we are having guys get stuck looking in the backfield. I think we will be able to get more comfortable as the season goes on, but that's the biggest area for growth I see defensively.
Offensively we looked like a much more complete team. It was good getting to see singleton in there. I think those three can form a great run by committee. The line held up much better in both run and pass. Just some penalties to clean up and we are in much better situations. Receivers were playing much better and finding open space which was great to see. And don't get too excited but Cam Ward who everyone was talking crazy about last week continued to learn and grow. It's great to see, and patience will help. He did look a little antsy at some points to get out of the pocket, but he and the offense as a whole looked much more comfortable and in sync during the game.
As a fan base we need to support them and continue to cheer this growth and culture. Winning of course will get more fans in the stadium, but with how hungry the team looks I don't think it'll take that long for that to start happening.
My question for you is: Do you think we are looking at the other teams in our division through 2 weeks? Do we look that far off if we can continue to build on how we played this weekend?
Jim: Good to hear from you, Austin. You make good points.
As for looking ahead, players and coaches don't do that. Sure, there is advance work done on all these upcoming opponents, but coaches prepare week to week. It's all about the Giants this week.
Silas Wright from Smyrna, Tennessee
Question: Hello Jim. How many HC in the NFL when sitting on defense, up by 3 and offense is 3rd down and 6. Less than a minute left would only rush 4 D linemen, giving the QB enough time to make a completed pass that helped them win the game. My point is we have a head coach that does not believe in blitzing.
How can this be???? Thanks for your input
Jim: Hey Silas. I think it's a case-by-case deal. I know coaches look back at games and always second-guess themselves on some calls, when they blitzed, when they didn't. I suspect some of that took place after Sunday's game. I'm picking up what you're putting down.
Alan Walker from Walland, Tennessee
Question: Hello, Jim. I said last week that we could only improve, and in my opinion, we did! The second half looked like a team that wants to win! Hopefully, this team will build on this momentum and channel it into wins. My hope, while guarded, remains!
Jim: Appreciate it, Alan.
Joni Daniels from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: Even though Sunday's game resulted in a loss for the Titans, I couldn't have been more proud of their effort. I left the game feeling far more encouraged than week 1. I was surrounded by Eagles fans (they showed up in droves) but I held my ground. I shouted and cheered until the very end. Could this be the beginning of something positive ?
Jim: Time will tell, Joni. It's a brand new week, and what happened on Sunday won't impact what happens this coming Sunday against the Giants.
Chris Allen from Houston, Texas
Question: Hey Jim. Even when we come close can never close the deal. Too many field goals and penalties and only 1 sack in the day. Even with 2 turnovers by the defense we can't close. 19-51 since 2022. We just are never gonna be good. Tough
Jim: Hey Chris. There were actually three sacks.
Dawn S from Horn Lake, Mississippi
Question: Good afternoon Jim. Thank you for always listening to fans on good weeks and bad weeks. I think that the Titans did much better Sunday vs Eagles than of course week one vs Jets. I was there for week one and I would have rather seen this type of effort than what I actually witnessed being in stadium last week. No it wasn't a win which would have been fantastic but I could definitely see a little change and players going out there making plays. I do think that it will take a little more time and I think each week it will get better. The game was right there for the taking. Just need to " Titan" things Up. Maybe take more chances and not be so conservative to show the NFL world we are capable of putting teams on their heels. We will get wins. Just a little more patience each week fellow Titan fans. As always TITAN UP
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Dawn.
Anthony Anthamatten from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I've seen all the Debby Downers on this thread and sports radio. I have never lost hope for this team. As a long time Titans supporter, I understand our rebuild. We all want a winner right now. This ain't McDonald's drive thru. It takes time and work. Lessons learned the hard way to build a winning organization... pick your company. It doesn't happen overnight. I was proud of the fight the team showed against the Eagles. We'll get you next time. Titan up.
Jim: Appreciate the feedback, Anthony.
Terry Kay Phipps from Nashville, Tennessee
Question: I want to speak with Amy!!!! I am a dedicated Titans fan from day 1! I want to talk to the players myself and find out why we suck so bad. Coaches included. Maybe from a Native Nashvilliian the team may get some insight about who we are and what we stand for. Yeah, I'm female, but I understand the game period! Always have and always will. Period! Amy, please contact me!!!!
Jim: Terry Kay, this sounds like an 'I want to speak to the manager' email.
Charles Nickles from Hot Springs, Arkansas
Question: Jim. Thanks for being honest in your responses. That does help with our frustrations. A couple of comments. I think the Titans played the best they could and the Eagles played the worst they could, which hurts that we still lost. In all honesty when the game was tied at 17 - 17 and we had the ball on our 10 yard line, with a first down and 2:30 on the clock......I think we all knew we would lose 24-20. I told a room full of folks that and darn if it didn't happen.
I don't blame the coaches or players. Fundamentally we have to develop a management team that can evaluate talent, free agency, waivers, and of course the draft! There is a major problem with this! Last thought.....get Chestnut in the game.....this guy has real heart.
Jim: Hey Charles. I guess we'll find out in time. I'll be honest: Heading in, I thought the Titans had a chance to win that game, because I'm not completely sold on the Eagles. Heck, they had just 10 first downs against the Commanders in Week 1, with five three-and-outs. So, maybe this is who they are, a team good enough to scratch out wins against so-so teams at this point. As for the Titans, I think this team has potential to get better and better. But these Titans are going to have to prove it. As for Chestnut, he's going to continue to help on special teams, but the Titans have three guys ahead of him on the depth chart at running back.
Dan Baird from Nashville Tennessee
Question: I know there will be a good deal of negativity after starting 0-2. Not happy about that fact.
However I saw a team compete despite the missed assignments, poor kickoffs and iffy offensive play calling.
I saw some great series, both sides of the ball.
When Cam and the O went into hurry up you could see him turn off the thinking and turn on the football player. He's by no means out of the woods yet. But that can be built on. I'm looking forward to next week. That hasn't been the case for a while. Thanks, db
Jim: I hear ya, Dan. Hopefully this year's Titans team will look more like the team against Eagles, and less like the team we saw vs the Jets.
Chuck Rhoten from Kingsport, Tennessee
Question: Better but still not enough. Our offense for most of the day was very predictable. The o-line is not good enough to be predictable and Cam isn't either. Latham is awful, how can you jump inside when you call a blind QB roll out, but I think that was an awful call when you are in scoring position why call a blind rollout. The defense was terrible the first half. Simmons started putting pressure on Hurts in the second half the DBs made some plays but they left people open all day. I still think we will be in play for the #1 pick next year. Jim what do you think needs to happen? Something has to change because this is a franchise that has became a joke.
Jim: Hey Chris. The tone of this reminds me of the emails I got after the Jets game. Hey, I get it – you're mad because the team has been bad for too long. But I thought Sunday provided more reasons to be optimistic, than pessimistic, even in a loss. Of course, that doesn't mean anything if the Titans lay an egg against the Giants. But progress is what we're looking for here.
Chuck Olroy from Oatmeal, Texas
Question: Hi Jim, Looks like we suck again! Ha Ha! But seriously what could anybody expect when you hire reject coaches from losing franchises and trade away superstars for 5 round draft picks and second hand washed up players. The only way Cam Ward will be a winning quarterback is if the Titans trade him away, then he will excel. That is the Titans MO for the last 3 years. Don't know who is in charge of hiring and firing but they are making all the wrong moves. The teams that win keep their superstars. What is wrong with those people in the front office?
Jim: I must admit I didn't know there's an Oatmeal, Texas. I think you and Chris would be good friends.
Micah Duffield from Antioch, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, long time reader, first time writer so to speak. Bit of a demoralizing loss with the way it ended, but there was certainly a lot more to be positive about when compared to the game against the Jets. I thought Cam took a noticeable step forward this week with the throws he was making, and while he wasn't perfect, it was good to see. Tony looked a lot better this week as well, it looked like he was running angry on some carries. What I did want to ask was, how long until Cody Barton's snap count is less than both Cedric Gray's and Anthony Hill's? Is this just a "coming back from the concussion so we're limiting his reps" kind of deal? I thought there were a few plays, particularly one where Barton was a free blitzer and hit Hurts after the throw was made that Gray's speed would've helped with. Here's hoping for more positive developments next week against the Giants. Thanks!
Jim: I hear ya, Micah. Cedric was on a bit of a pitch count against the Eagles, logging 30 of 76 snaps. I expect him to play more. And, of course, James Williams was out. Hill played all 76 snaps, and I think that's going to continue. Barton played 59 snaps, btw. I'm curious myself to see how snaps play out moving forward.
Chuy Cano from Corpus Christi, Texas
Question: Man Jim.....looks like this season is gonna b another painful, frustrating season. I know u could say....hey we almost got'em......but a loss is still a loss!. Im predicting prolly like 2-3 wins throughout the whole season....and looks like we're gonna get pick 2nd or 3rd....if not 1st. Titan up!
Jim: Let's count 'em up in January, Chuy.
Richard Stepien from Mcminnville, Tennessee
Question: No question just a thank you Titans for showing us better games are coming. Don't give up, TITAN UP!!
Jim: Thanks for taking the time, Richard.
Tommy Meyer from San Antonio, Texas
Question: Howdy Jim. Wow I have now written twice in a row. I must say the Titans looked a lot more like I expected them to look before the start of the season. I would like them to win but let's be honest it will take some time for them to jell. There are some areas that still need to improve especially the defensive secondary, but they did get two picks! The D-line looked more like I expected them to look. I am amazed the players were able to put that kind of effort with the brutal conditions they were playing in. I still wish Cam would stay in the pocket more and throw the ball quicker. He seems to do better when he does. I was amazed at how many great plays the guy's came up with. Ayomanor and Spears put on a show. I think part of the problem is having to defend a short field too much of the time. The Eagles seemed to be on The Titans side of the field in just a couple of plays. Bottom line the gave us some hope that this year will be better. Thanks.
Jim: Thanks for writing in again, Tommy. It was better, for sure. But this is a results-based league, and you have to find a way to win close games. This is one that was there for the taking, and the Titans let it get away. The team needs to start winning games like this again.
Jeremy Rodriguez from Winchester, California
Question: Titans played well enough to win but coaching got them a loss.. Just over 2min, just outside the RedZone and you play a bootleg that loses 9yds.. don't get pretty, play the bully running game that put you in that situation. Then Philly gets the ball with just under 2min and the first play is a chunk play because they played Smith one on one.. knowing that's the deep ball threat.. frustrating but it was good seeing a Titans Team that put up a fight!
Have a great week Jim and as always TITAN UP!!
Jim: I hear ya, Jeremy. The Titans sometimes make it harder on themselves, and too easy for the opponent.
Bear Butler from Somerville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim. 1st time trying to get in the mailbag this season. Couldn't ask any questions until I changed cookie settings. I declined optional tracking cookies and it still wouldn't let me do anything, until I accepted all cookies, so my 1st question is why does it say tracking cookies are optional if they are not ?
As far as the game, the team could have done better in all 3 phases and the coaches could have called better plays. But week 2 was a big improvement over week 1, Ward threw for 183yds had 2 rushing td's and zero interceptions and had the team in position to win the game right at the final 2mins. He could have played better but in his 2nd game in a new offense he played good enough to win against a playoff caliber team so to all the trolls out there in the social media world I have a bird in each hand for you.
I didn't like the decision to try the bootleg at the end, when they got the 1st down I thought it was their game, I thought they would try to run the ball, keep it inbounds and burn the clock and the Eagles timeouts and try to either get a touchdown with little time left on the clock or as close to a walk off field goal as possible.
And it probably doesn't matter to anyone but me, but I think the defense would be better if they had not got rid of T'Vondre Sweat and Brownlee Jr, those are 2 good players who are young and still on their rookie contracts. Teams have to double team Sweat and I've heard the argument he doesn't fit the scheme but I think that is BS, he is a good run stuffer and decent at getting after the qb. And I know Brownlee Jr was getting a few to many penalties and may be a little to out spoken but he's young and he was our best outside corner, after seeing 11 out of 18 3rd downs converted by pass plays and a lot of those were 3rd and long, it would be nice to have atleast 1 good outside corner.
I almost forgot lol, it would have been nice if the kicker would have landed that last kickoff in the field of play and forced a return instead of kicking it in the end zone, stopping the clock, and giving it to them at the 35. Could have give them less time and more field and a better chance to stop that last td.
Still game 2 was a lot more fun to watch than the season opener. Just didn't pull off the win. Better luck next week.
Jim: Way to close us out, Bear. You bear-ly made it…
I don't know much about the Cookies situation, to be honest, unless it involves Oreos or Nutter Butters.
I can tell that bootleg wasn't a popular play call. It sure didn't work, I'll say that. And it was a drive killer.
I liked Brownlee more than others, I'll say that. Always liked his feistiness.
Titans need to clean some stuff up, for sure.
Have a great week everyone!
