Rapid reaction from the Tennessee Titans’ 33-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 14 at Nissan Stadium.
Talking points
- The combination of the Rams’ defensive pass rush and offensive passing game eventually proved too much for the Titans, who fought gamely for three quarters before wilting in the fourth. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford finished with 298 passing yards, and his top receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nucua each did plenty of damage against the Titans’ secondary.
- Only two games into a new season, and the Titans (0-2) find themselves again in need of a serviceable right tackle. John Ojukwu, one of several tackles who couldn’t keep this job last season, was promoted from the practice squad to start in place of the injured JC Latham (hip) against the Rams (2-0). And while Ojukwu stayed out there, he picked up two false-start penalties and allowed two sacks, the second of which created the costly fumble that allowed the Rams to break open the game late.
- Cam Ward, once again, had a relatively respectable performance while being sacked a lot. Not much to write home about, except for one play: Ward’s first NFL touchdown pass will have ‘em talking around the league. Showcasing the kind of improvised magic that he was known for in college, he extended a third-and-goal play from the 9-yard line, rolling right while motioning Elic Ayomanor away from him toward the left sideline. Ward’s throw traveled a lot farther than 9 yards and dropped perfectly into Ayomanor’s arms on the opposite side of the field. Quite impressive.
- For the first time in seemingly forever, the Titans have a formidable return game on special teams. Rookie receiver Chimere Dike is working out nicely as the Titans’ return man. He had a long kickoff return in Denver, and against the Rams, Dike had a 57-punt return touchdown nullified by a blindside block penalty against linebacker Cedric Gray, who crushed the Rams’ long snapper (but was facing him while doing it). Had it stood, Dike would’ve had the Titans’ first punt-return TD since 2012.
Where the game turned
With the Rams leading 20-16 in the fourth quarter, Ojukwu was beaten by the Rams’ Byron Young, who knocked the ball away from Ward. LA recovered the fumble deep in Tennessee territory and promptly scored a touchdown to end the competitive portion of the afternoon.
Key number
8 – Made field goals for kicker Joey Slye in his first two Titans games. Slye drilled kicks of 55, 37, 57 and 35 yards against the Rams, and his leg has been a useful weapon thus far for a Titans offense that hadn’t been able to consistently sustain touchdown drives.
What I liked
Two things …
The Titans’ special teams units are collectively better than they’ve been in years.
And the first couple of games in Ward’s Titans career have been encouraging. Not just because of what Ward has been able to do. It’s been more about what he hasn’t. He hasn’t thrown an interception against two opponents with outstanding pass rushers.
What I didn’t like
The lack of a pass rush, as expected, is proving to be a problem. Any NFL quarterback – but especially one like Stafford – will pick a defense apart if unhurried. Jeffery Simmons provided occasional pressure, but that was about it for the front four. The Titans’ lone sack was by safety Amani Hooker on a blitz, and the biggest difference between these teams (other than maybe the wide receivers) was in the defenses’ ability to generate pressure.
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at [email protected] and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social
