The Tennessee Titans suffered their ninth loss of the 2023 campaign in Week 15 with a 19-16 defeat at the hands of the Houston Texans, which was their second overtime loss to a division rival in three weeks.
With the loss, the Titans are now officially eliminated from playoff contention, although their chances were already slim, at best.
There were certainly issues on both sides of the ball, but there’s no question the vast majority of the blame is on the shoulders of the offense, where offensive coordinator Tim Kelly was the biggest culprit.
But the struggles on offense were more than just about Kelly’s horrendous play-calling. We’ll talk about that and more as we take a look at the winners and losers from Tennessee’s loss to the Texans.
Loser: Peter Skoronski and the offensive line
The entire offensive line was awful in run-blocking and pass protection, but rookie Peter Skoronski was one of the worst offenders. The first-round pick, who has arguably been Tennessee’s best O-lineman all year, was a turnstile for much of the day in what was his worst showing of the 2023 campaign.
In all, Levis was sacked seven times and pressured on several other plays. He also suffered an apparent ankle injury in overtime after taking his final sack. Thankfully, it looks like he’ll be OK.
The Titans are now up to 50 sacks allowed on the year, which is more than they gave up in 2022. And, bear in mind, there are still three games left.
Let’s just hope Levis makes it out in one piece.
Winner: Titans' defense
Sure, Tennessee’s unit got gashed on the ground and failed to reel in a pair of would-be picks, but the defense did more than enough to put the Titans in a position to win this game after giving up just 16 points in regulation.
Not to mention, the defense was also responsible for one of the team’s two touchdowns and it made a pair of stops in the red zone to keep Tennessee in the game despite getting nothing from the offense.
Making the showing even more impressive was the fact that the defense didn’t have Jeffery Simmons, nor did it get regular rest with the offense incapable of sustaining drives.
Loser: OC Tim Kelly
Kelly’s performance in terms of play-calling in Week 15 was one of the worst these old eyes have ever seen.
Kelly inexplicably stuck with the run on early downs despite having literally zero success, and that routinely put Tennessee’s offense in second- and third-and-long situations it couldn’t overcome. Adding to that, the Titans not utilizing Spears more as Henry struggled was puzzling.
Kelly also wouldn’t get away from the screens, which were nearly as ineffective as the runs up the middle.
The Titans offensive coordinator has gotten the benefit of the doubt more often than not this season, but there was no excuse for him on Sunday. This team must think long and hard about having Kelly lead the offense into the future after his displayed some of the worst judgement we’ve ever seen.
Winner: DL Denico Autry
Autry had yet another good game, with the veteran defender tallying two more sacks. He’s now up to 11 on the year, a new career-high for him.
It would normally be borderline unfathomable for a team like the Titans to bring back a player who is set to turn 34 next year, but Autry is making the case for Tennessee to do exactly that.
Loser: RB Derrick Henry
You cannot talk about the struggles of the run game without first mentioning the offensive line, but Henry deserves some of the blame, also. He simply doesn’t look as explosive as he used to and he isn’t finding the open holes when they are actually there to hit.
And, in what is no fault of his own, the Titans seem stuck on keeping Henry as the focal point of the offense, even though it’s clear Levis is now that guy.
It’s gotten to the point where Tyjae Spears needs to see more work and it’s clear Henry is holding him back from getting that opportunity.
It hurts to say it, but the Titans might be better off letting Henry go in the offseason. At the very least, his return in 2024 needs to come with the acceptance that his role will be reduced.
Winner: DB Elijah Molden
Molden was responsible for one of the Titans’ two touchdowns on the day after he housed an interception. He also added three tackles and another pass defensed aside from his pick.
Loser: K Nick Folk
In a game that went to overtime, Folk’s missed extra point in the first quarter proved to be crucial, as it at least would’ve forced the Texans to have to convert a two-point attempt after they scored in the fourth quarter.
Folk has had a great year overall and provides much-needed stability at a position that has been a nightmare for the Titans in recent years, but he’s now missed two extra points in three weeks, and they both came in contests that went to overtime.
Winner: WR Treylon Burks
Three catches for 62 yards normally isn’t anything to write home about, but for a player like Burks who has struggled to do anything all season long, it was a major win.
Burks had receptions of 37 and 20 yards, with the former aiding in the Titans’ lone touchdown drive of the afternoon. In all, he finished as Tennessee’s leading receiver for the first time since Week 2.
Now, it’s all about stacking good games while staying healthy the rest of the way.
