The Tennessee Titans took their fourth-straight “L” in a row against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. The most frustrating part is they had a great chance to win the game.
The Titans’ defense put up a fantastic performance, but the team’s undoing was the same thing it has been all season: losing 1-on-1 matchups on the sideline in man coverage.
The Titans’ offense floundered most of the day, and there is a lot of blame to go around. While the usual suspects like Dennis Daley and Todd Downing did their part, some of the Titans’ top players also made some key mistakes.
Let’s take a look at what happened in this week’s #TicTacTuesday film thread, which can also be viewed on Twitter.
Dylan Cole just isn't an NFL starter. He is an EXCELLENT depth piece at LB though and a dynamite ST player. Constant 100% energy. Byard gets pinned in by the OT, but Cole scrapes outside to make the play 1v1 in space. #Titans pic.twitter.com/31l9cgwqHA
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
Classic #Titans Hooks n Flats. Teams sit on this so hard. No fear of a deep route or any speed. This is why RT throws so many interceptions on these or tipped balls. He tries to just fire these in. Hate how often they call this on long downs. pic.twitter.com/xLvBDP5Jwe
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
Love this wrinkle being added to the #Titans play action pass attack this season. Henry is left alone after the PA fake and slips out into the flat. Tannehill hits him with an easy one and it is a big gain. pic.twitter.com/IUXuZyU9a0
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
HUGE hit by Jeffery Simmons!! #Titans
Watch this man cover ground like a linebacker and knock Ekeler off his damn feet. I LOVE IT. pic.twitter.com/txxfvFQdsV
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
Another Henry screen. #Titans
Watch how the DB flies up forward and then bails out super quick. Also, look at the great blocks by Ben & Brew, Nate Davis and Chris Conley. Way to open it up! pic.twitter.com/zXx8FnUAKC
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
#Titans run Cover 2 invert here, but show single high safety Man look. This confuses Herbert just long enough to allow Walker to win on a bullrush. Shout out to Dupree who forces Herbert to take a step up. pic.twitter.com/zIBQGRrv3I
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
Roger McCreary again with an excellent play! He really was the CB1 on Sunday that the #Titans asked him to be. Stays tight to Williams and then climbs up to make a play at the catch point! pic.twitter.com/KRKZhXuIxT
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
Kevin Byard always seems to make a play when the #Titans need it most. D shows a 2-high look, rotates into Cover 3 Cloud where Byard is the middle man. Herbert doesn't notice the shell change and expects C2. Goes to Williams over the middle, but KB is there for a pick! pic.twitter.com/7I3QFV9GMf
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
Another big time miss on a 2nd half 3rd & 2. Tannehill just locks on to Chig on the picked wheel. Never even checks the backside with two guys open. Just decides pre-snap that's what he is gonna do. Another #Titans punt. pic.twitter.com/8ZSr2D9YNU
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
People hate it, but Henry is regressing.
He has been taken down by arm tackles, DBs and missed holes throughout the year. The OL is poor, but like I say with Tannehill, Henry is not blameless. Has a chance to go to the house after a 1v1 with a DB. Instead cuts back inside?? pic.twitter.com/QXYVHaR8Yp
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
Look, maybe he doesn't have enough time to do this. I can accept that, but it is fair to think this should have gotten out to the flat. Tannehill, before being sacked, start to look left even. THROW THE CHECKDOWN. pic.twitter.com/w3rKuWTbCO
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
There is no one open here. The #Titans run a ton of 3-man route combos with two chippers, because the OL is so bad. Problem is the pass catchers lack explosion or separation so it is hard to find anyone. pic.twitter.com/S4MHhSRbwA
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022
#Titans live by Cover 1 man & more than not this season DIE by Cover 1 man. Greg Mabin on an island with Mike Williams. For some reason, the zone safeties don't help. Weaver gives up contain and the hole zone man flies up to try and stop Herb. Titans have lost on these all year. pic.twitter.com/9NsNZazgXe
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) December 20, 2022