Titans Keep it Close Against Chargers Despite Offensive Struggles
The Tennessee Titans failed to put the ball into the end zone from the one-yard line. Twice. That ended up being the difference in a game that was surprisingly decided by one score, 27-20.
The Titans' offense struggled all game, only accounting for six points (two Joey Slye field goals).
Cam Ward had one of his worst days in the NFL, going 12/21 for 145 yards. Although for the first time this season, he didn’t have a turnover. Well, thanks to quick thinking from Tony Pollard and JC Latham, Ward didn’t turn the ball over. Pollard recovered a bad pitch, and Latham caught a backwards pass.
The Titans' defense, on the other hand, played pretty well all things considered. On the Chargers’ second play, Cody Barton intercepted a bad throw from Justin Herbert and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown.
The Titans’ inexperienced secondary performed admirably, disrupting passes and often helping force the Chargers to settle for field goals. Darnell Baker Jr. and Jalyn Armour-Davis both had four tackles, and Baker had a crucial pass breakup.
The Titans' pass rush came alive, even without Jeffery Simmons. Jihad Ward had two and a half sacks. The Titans as a team had five. Cedric Gray was a one-man wrecking crew from the linebacker spot, with 16 total tackles, including a sack.
The Chargers still moved the ball and won the game, but it wasn't comfortable for them. Most Titans opponents had quite a comfortable time against them, so there was improvement this week.
The Titans’ other touchdown was a 67-yard punt return from rookie speedster Chimere Dike. He is still the NFL leader in all-purpose yards.
He didn’t have an impact on offense this week, but he and fellow rookie pass catchers Elic Ayomanor and Gunnar Helm look like the makings of a lethal offense. Led by Cam Ward, this Titans offense will be good someday. That day was not Sunday. Nor will it likely come this season, at least not consistently.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, there are plenty of Titans players whose names are being floated in trade talks. The Titans have their bye week now, so they can focus fully on making trades, getting healthy, and continuing to practice and prepare for the second half of the season.
The results do not matter as much as player development and noticeable progress do. So, for the rest of the season, Titans fans should be content with games like this, a one-possession loss against a team likely headed to the playoffs. The offense did falter, but good teams can cope with an off day from their QB. The Titans are not a good team, yet they kept the game close late despite their poor offensive performance. That’s the type of progress that Titans fans are looking for.