The Tennessee Titans faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, December 15, marking yet another chapter in what has been a challenging season for the Nashville-based team. The matchup was intensified by the presence of several former Bengals now donning Titans uniforms, giving it the flavor of a revenge game.
This season has been fraught with difficulties for the Titans, who entered the matchup with just three wins and ten losses. Their head coach, Brian Callahan, had previously spent five seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Bengals, and his influence on the team was palpable. Despite his extensive experience, Callahan's offense has struggled to produce this season, ranking 29th overall with just 295.4 yards per game and 30th with 17.5 points scored.
Key players such as Tyler Boyd, who spent his entire career with the Bengals before joining the Titans, were looked to for leadership and playmaking. Boyd has remained consistent, albeit unspectacular, with 33 receptions for 317 yards this season. His familiarity with the Cincinnati defense added intrigue to the game.
Unfortunately, the Titans' special teams have been riddled with errors under the guidance of first-time special teams coach Colt Anderson, also from the Bengals’ coaching staff. This season, the special teams unit has struggled significantly, allowing the most yards on punt returns across the league. Many are watching Anderson closely, as the Titans may be seeking replacements following this dismal season.
While all eyes were on the sidelines, the players had plenty to prove on the field. The Titans initially took the lead with an early touchdown from Tony Pollard. But as the game progressed, turnovers plagued them. Quarterback Will Levis had what can only be described as a nightmare outing, accumulating four turnovers during the game, which culminated in him being benched for backup Mason Rudolph.
Levis's reign as the starter has been marred by inconsistencies, and Sunday’s performance saw him finish with just 85 yards on 7-of-10 passing along with two interceptions and one lost fumble. His replacements did manage to find some success, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficits built by his turnovers.
The Bengals, led by Joe Burrow, capitalized on the Titans' missteps. Burrow delivered another strong performance, finishing with 271 yards, three touchdowns, and even managed to evade the Titans' pass rushes to set up plays. Cincinnati's ability to convert on third downs was remarkable; they succeeded 10 out of 13 attempts, allowing them to control the pace of the game.
Despite the Titans' defense making some key stops, such as forcing Burrow to fumble after being sacked, they struggled to contain the Bengals’ offensive firepower. Notably, Burrow’s connections with the likes of Tee Higgins and Chase Brown proved to be decisive. A notable touchdown came when Burrow, under pressure, managed to find Brown with pinpoint accuracy, showcasing not just his skill but the overall disarray afflicting the Titans.
By the game's end, the Titans had yet another loss added to their record, finalizing at 37-27. It highlighted the culmination of their many mistakes, which would leave fans and analysts alike wondering about the future of the franchise heading toward the offseason.
With the defeat, the Titans fell to 3-11, and the message from analysts was clear: the team needs significant changes going forward. Many, including Gentry Estes, echoed the sentiment: "So much for Will Levis' progress as a bright spot in gloomy Tennessee Titans season." The call for improvement is louder than ever, and eyes will be on the front office to see what steps they might take as the team heads toward the off-season.
Tickets for the game were selling low, starting at just $22, which is indicative of the waning interest as the Titans’ struggles continue. Even the weather didn’t seem to help boost spirits, with forecasts predicting rain and cold temperatures at kickoff.
Looking at the final stats, it was clear how the Titans' mistakes cost them greatly. Will Levis, who was once thought of as the future of the Tennessee offense, has now put his standing on the hot seat. The team can only hope to regroup and find their footing as they move toward the last weeks of another disappointing campaign.
