The Tennessee Titans lost 38-30 to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. In familiar fashion, the Titans began the game in impressive form. New starting quarterback Mason Rudolph connected with Calvin Ridley for a 38-yard touchdown to award them a 7-0 lead. The Colts’ offense then rounded off 38 unanswered points to take a 38-7 lead. Brian Callahan’s offense attempted an unthinkable comeback, but fell short, losing 38-30.
It was a familiar theme for Callahan’s Titans.
The Titans have often started games well. Callahan’s offense seems to have success with scripted plays, pre-determined throughout the week. Once Callahan and his coaching staff get into uncharted territory, the Titans often fall apart, allowing the opposition to embark on historical scoring runs.
It began in Week 1 versus the Chicago Bears when Callahan’s Titans squandered a 17-0 advantage, allowing Chicago to score the final 24 in a one-score defeat. In Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers, Malik Willis spearheaded a run of 20 unanswered in a blowout victory. Right out of Tennessee’s bye, these same pesky Colts out-scored the Titans 10-0 in the fourth quarter to claim victory.
The Titans jumped out to an unlikely 10-0 lead versus the Super Bowl contending Buffalo Bills in Week 7. The Bills scored the next 34, winning 34-10. The following contest, the Titans were surprisingly tied 14 apiece with the Detroit Lions in the second quarter. Dan Campbell’s Lions scored 38 unanswered to embarrass the Titans 52-14.
The Titans then took a multi-week break from such historically poor scoring runs, but the theme returned versus the Washington Commanders in Week 13. The Commanders began the non-competitive contest by taking a commanding (pun intended) 28-0 lead mere minutes into the second quarter. After a lackluster 10-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Titans spent the next week watching the Cincinnati Bengals score 24 unanswered in Will Levis’ final game as the starting QB.
Sunday’s setback versus the Colts was just the latest example. It’s difficult to comprehend. The Titans are bad, and bad teams often get embarrassed on Sunday’s. But Callahan’s Titans especially allow the opposition to score points in bunches. It’s the hallmark of a poorly-coached 2024 Titans.