These posts are never fun to write after a loss, but it is what it is!
The Titans defense is pretty suspect and it finally came back to bite them. Although the defense didn't give up a TON of points they did give up a fair amount at 27. What was mostly frustrating was the fact that the defense gave up a lot of points early in the game and the offense had to play from behind really pretty quickly. Perhaps what was even MORE problematic was the fact that the Titans' defense absolutely could not get a stop on third down for the longest time. It was frustrating to watch. Those third down conversions allowed the Steelers to extend drives and possess the ball for long stretches of time, particularly in the first half.
The main reason we lost, among several, would probably have to be the defense.
The Titans played well, too!
By no means was this entire game doom and gloom, in regards to are the Titans legit or are the Titans going to start to suck. After this game I definitely don't feel that way. The team needs to sharpen up and improve, and I believe this loss will go a long way in regards to the team re-focusing and trying to get better going forward.
For basically sixty percent of this game I was nervous the Titans were going to get blown out. They really just were getting beat in nearly every phase of the game and they found themselves down 27-7 in the third quarter.
But then all of a sudden the Titans started coming ALIVE. The defense FINALLY started getting stops! A long TD pass to A.J. Brown, followed by a field goal, followed by a Derrick Henry TD run, the Titans found themselves down by just a field goal, with the ball and they were driving and in field goal range.
This game could have easily gone into overtime if Titans' kicker Stephen Gostkowski could have hit the game-tying 45 yard field goal attempt, but he missed it. There was no time left on the clock to do anything, the game was over.
A part of me was not surprised at all. Gostkowski has been inconsistent this season and it's depressing. The team did what they could and the guy just missed a massive kick.
The main factors that made us lose would have to be, sup-par defense, particularly on third down, a slow start on offense, and continued struggles in the kicking game.
Really the team could have been sharper in pretty much all aspects of the game.
Titans fall to the Steelers, 27-24.
I've still got plenty of hope for this season!
Putting everything into perspective though, the Titans still proved they are a legit squad! I still expect really great things out of this team.
They SERIOUSLY almost took this game into overtime against a fellow undefeated squad! The Titans weren't exactly playing scrubs out there!
This game showed that the Titans need to sharpen up and continue to get better throughout the year.
The Titans still get back more injured players like CB Adoree Jackson next week.
This team is still a threat!!
LET'S GO!! #Titanup
On to Cincinnati!
As a browns fan, I was rooting for you guys!
Thanks man, tough loss. Browns look solid so far too!