The Tennessee Titans have suffered some ugly defeats during what has been a very disappointing 2023 campaign, but Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts is definitely a candidate for the ugliest.
Not only were there several blunders in all three phases, but the Titans also lost three key players due to injury, with punter Ryan Stonehouse’s likely being serious.
Despite all that, the Titans still had a chance to win the game late, but the defense simply couldn’t hold serve in overtime, leading to yet another gut-wrenching loss, the likes of which has become all too familiar this season.
Now, the winners and losers from Week 13.
Loser: QB Will Levis
Since exploding onto the scene in Week 8, Levis hasn’t come close to matching his performance in that game — and he had another rough outing in Week 13.
The offensive line certainly didn’t help, but Levis did himself no favors, either. The rookie struggled with accuracy, fumbled three times (one lost) and he nearly threw multiple picks.
Levis did make some good throws here and there, especially in overtime, but it was not a good game overall for the second-round pick.
Winner: RB Derrick Henry
Henry had one of his best games of the year, tallying 102 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the losing effort.
It just goes to show that Henry, who is now tied for 15th all time in rushing scores, is still very much capable of making a big impact when the blocking in front of him is as good as it was on Sunday.
Unfortunately, Henry exited early due to a concussion, so that will be something to monitor in the week leading up to the Week 14 contest.
Loser: The secondary
With the pass-rush not getting home consistently, the secondary was once again exposed.
The Colts only had three big plays (20-plus yards), which is actually a good total for Tennessee’s secondary. But two of those plays were massively important in the final outcome.
Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce burned Elijah Molden and Kristian Fulton for a 36-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and he had a 55-yard catch after flying past Sean Murphy-Bunting that set Indy up for the game-winning touchdown in overtime.
SMB also committed an illegal contact penalty on the same drive that negated a sack.
When the secondary wasn’t giving up big plays, they were getting sliced and diced in the short and intermediate areas, with Michael Pittman in particular having his way with the defense en route to 11 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, which was the game-winner in OT.
In between: The offensive line
Pass protection wasn’t good, as Levis was sacked six times, but the group upfront did enough in that area for the Titans to be better in the passing attack. Still, there’s no reason to celebrate there.
It was the opposite story in terms of run-blocking, as Henry and Tyjae Spears had big holes to run through all game long. Tennessee’s ground game finished with 177 yards at a respectable 4.2 yards per carry.
Loser: Craig Aukerman
The Titans had multiple costly special teams blunders on Sunday, including two failed punts, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The other led to a serious injury to punter Ryan Stonehouse and more points for Indy.
The Colts also notched a 36-yard kickoff return in the first quarter that aided in the team’s first touchdown drive.
Special teams woes are nothing new in the Craig Aukerman era, and that has led to calls for his firing on several occasions over the years. This should be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back, but head coach Mike Vrabel doesn’t sound like someone who is ready to fire his assistant coach.
Winner: RB Tyjae Spears
After Henry exited due to injury, Spears stepped up and made an impact down the stretch, playing a key role in the Titans’ fourth-quarter touchdown drive and their overtime series that resulted in a field goal..
The rookie finished with a career-high 88 yards from scrimmage, including a career-high 75 yards on the ground
In between: K Nick Folk
Folk made both of his field goal tries, including the one that gave the Titans the lead in overtime, and he actually had a respectable showing as the emergency punter.
But his missed extra point in the fourth quarter was crucial, as it would have given Tennessee a 26-25 lead and a win, assuming the score held up. Sure, he didn’t have his typical holder and maybe things were a bit off, but Tannehill’s hold was sufficient and that’s a kick Folk needs to make.
