Titans Fall to 0-4 After Frustrating 24-18 Loss to Ravens
BALTIMORE, MD - The Tennessee Titans made some good plays in Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. They also, once again, did enough to get themselves beat.
“It’s just frustrating overall as a whole,” head coach Robert Saleh said after the game. “I do appreciate that everyone came out and fought.”
Sunday’s 24-18 loss at M&T Bank Stadium dropped the Titans’ record to 0-4 for the second consecutive season. Quarterback Cam Ward completed 20-of-31 passes for 222 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Rookie receiver Carnell Tate had nine catches for 145 yards.
Defensively, the Titans kept former teammate Derrick Henry in check, allowing 73 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries. But Tennessee hurt itself with a pair of first-half turnovers, including one on its opening possession, and failed to convert a first-and-goal opportunity that helped change the complexion of the game.
It was an ominous start. On the Titans’ second offensive play, a flip pass from Ward went off the hands of running back Tony Pollard and was intercepted. Five plays later, Henry scored on a five-yard touchdown run to put Baltimore up 7-0.
Tennessee answered with a 10-play, 70-yard drive capped by Pollard’s three-yard touchdown run to tie the score. But the Ravens reclaimed the lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Zay Flowers, making it 14-7 early in the second quarter.
Then came the tide-turning sequence. The Titans had first-and-goal at the Ravens’ eight-yard line, but four straight runs by Pollard—including a direct-snap carry from the two on fourth-and-goal—produced no points. Baltimore responded by marching 98 yards in eight plays, capped by Jackson’s touchdown pass to Mark Andrews that made it 21-7.
Late in the half, Ward connected with Tate for a 35-yard gain, but Tate fumbled after the catch. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop cashed it in with a 64-yard field goal as time expired, sending Baltimore into the locker room with a 24-7 lead.
Jackson suffered an ankle injury late in the first half and did not return. Backup Tyler Huntley took over, and the Ravens were held scoreless the rest of the way. The Titans managed only a 33-yard field goal by Joey Slye in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-10.
Tennessee had too many empty possessions in the second half. Ward finally connected with Wan’Dale Robinson for a three-yard touchdown with 1:12 remaining and converted the two-point try, but the Ravens recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock.
“Pretty much with every single team, there’s a few things that must happen, and a few things that can’t happen,” tackle JC Latham said. “Turnovers is one of them. … We have to all do a better job at every single area, from top to bottom.”
“We have to really hone in on the bad plays, and how we can limit that,” Ward added. Safety Amani Hooker put it simply: “Any time you lose a game, it doesn’t feel good.”
The Titans return home next week still searching for their first win of the season.
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