The Tennessee Titans are off to an 0-1 start to the 2022 season after dropping their Week 1 contest against the New York Giants, 21-20.
Tennessee looked like it would cruise to an easy victory after staking itself to a 13-0 lead in the first half. The offense wasn’t great but was moving the ball well enough to put points on the board.
However, the offense only mustered up seven points in the final two quarters, opening the door for a Giants comeback. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing’s terrible play-calling had a lot to do with that, also.
The defense was absolutely dominant during the first half, sacking Daniel Jones four times and putting a ton of pressure on him overall, but the unit showed some warts in the second half in coverage and against the run.
Despite all their issues in the second half, Tennessee had a chance to win the game with a last-second field goal, but Randy Bullock was unable to convert, sealing the loss for the Titans.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the disappointing Week 1 defeat.
#Titans run defense today pic.twitter.com/k7bSiO0IKI
— Wes on Broadway (@TitansStats) September 11, 2022
This isn’t an execution problem
This is a play calling problem #Titans
— Sal From Jerrrssseeeyyy (@salmanfredi) September 11, 2022
The Titans lost the game when they went tight end sweep on 3rd and 1 instead of giving the ball to 22.
— Sundays in Nashville (@SundaysinNash) September 11, 2022
The Tennessee Titans got what they deserved.
— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) September 11, 2022
That's a really bad loss to open the #Titans season.
The question I keep asking myself: Why burn your final timeout with the clock stopped and 18 seconds left?
Forces Bullock into a longer FG when you had at least 2 plays to make it easier for him.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) September 11, 2022
fire him now pic.twitter.com/sfnQIhTxWD
— Noah “Vertical 3 Pick Guy” Maddox (@noahmaddox23) September 11, 2022
Indefensible clock management there to have to take your last timeout to avoid the delay of game too. I’ve never seen that happen. Led to settling for a choke job field goal without adding more yardage. Gonna be a long season.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 11, 2022
If the #Titans had the few yards back that they lost on the previous play, the kick would have been good. That was disastrous game management from the coaching staff on down. https://t.co/Lxwa32i7OT
— Chad Withrow (@TheChadWithrow) September 11, 2022
A brutal, embarrassing , inexcusable loss for the Titans.
— Robby Stanley (@RStanleyNHL) September 11, 2022
Can we just be clear?
This isn’t an “acceptable loss” or one you can say “don’t freak out it’s week one”.
This was one of the EASIEST games on the #Titans schedule. This was a game the team HAD to have. We play a murderers row of a 1st place schedule.
This is devastating.
— Titans Therapy (@TitansTherapy) September 11, 2022
The last time the #Titans allowed a 150-yard rusher:
Dalvin Cook on 9/27/2020 (181)
Saquon Barkley had 164 tonight.
— Sam Phalen (@Sam_Phalen) September 12, 2022
#Titans had less turnovers, more time of possession, more sacks, less penalties, were better on third down.
They managed to lose the game.
— Johnathan Boren (@JBOnBroad) September 12, 2022
Really dumb to use your final TO there imo even if you lose the five. Still gave you a chance to run a real play and gain some valuable yards. We know Bullock doesn’t kick well from that far. Just strange. #Titans lose 21-20.
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) September 11, 2022
The Titans have been known to lose some head scratchers over the past few years, but this year they can’t afford to lose head scratchers. They don’t have the weapons on offense to lose games they shouldn’t lose and expect a magical hot streak to appear.
— Sundays in Nashville (@SundaysinNash) September 11, 2022