The Tennessee Titans picked up where they left off from the 2021 campaign in Week 1 on Sunday, dropping their 2022 opener against the New York Giants in heart-breaking fashion, 21-20.
Why was it heart-breaking? Well, the Titans looked to be in total control of the game going into the half, but the team took its foot off the pedal in the final two quarters, allowing Big Blue to climb back into it.
Making matters worse, the Titans were in position to win with a 47-yard field goal at the end of regulation, but Randy Bullock, who is usually money, was unable to convert the game-winner.
It never should have come down to that in the first place, though.
Such a loss will lead to plenty of analysis of what went wrong, and offensive coordinator Todd Downing will be at the head of that conversation after some very questionable play calls throughout. Some things never change, eh?
Here’s what the Titans said about their Week 1 loss.
HC Mike Vrabel on the loss
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel on the loss to @Giants. pic.twitter.com/LGGgxvIgIM
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 11, 2022
Vrabel on OC Todd Downing's third-and-1 calls
Mike Vrabel on the 3rd & 1 when they gave the ball to Chig Okonkwo on the end around. #Titans pic.twitter.com/wCJ4wKMqGd
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 11, 2022
Vrabel on the final timeout
Mike Vrabel said they called the final timeout to make sure they were on the right hash for the FG.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 11, 2022
Vraben on the run defense
Mike Vrabel on failure@to stop the run. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/9v0GJTXR1e
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 11, 2022
K Randy Bullock on missing the game-winner
Randy Bullock on his miss. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/z9LlQiUWkd
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 11, 2022
DL Jeffery Simmons on the run defense
Jeffery Simmons on #Titans falling short of run defense standard. pic.twitter.com/M3WxzaX74W
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 11, 2022
QB Ryan Tannehill on the loss
.@Titans QB @ryantannehill1 on the loss to @Giants. pic.twitter.com/zAdBav63Vd
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 11, 2022
Tannehill on the offensive struggles
Ryan Tannehill on the offensive struggles: "You have to play a full game."
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) September 11, 2022
Tannehill on the passing attack
Ryan Tannehill said the balance they found in the passing attack was carryover from developing chemistry during camp. He feels the receiving leader will vary from week to week. pic.twitter.com/LJQpknfolz
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 11, 2022
CB Kristian Fulton on Sterling Shepard's big play
Kristian Fulton admitted that he got caught with his eyes in the backfield in Sterling Shepard's TD. It was a throw to the backside of the play, one that QBs don't normally make. #Titans pic.twitter.com/OYc0N1ujyQ
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 12, 2022
RB Dontrell Hilliard on his touchdowns
Dontrell Hilliard put all of the credit to the #Titans coaching staff for his two touchdowns. Feels they did a great job setting him up on those plays. pic.twitter.com/dE7SrJ5Gk3
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) September 12, 2022
WR Kyle Philips on his performance
Kyle Philips reviews his game. #Titans pic.twitter.com/SszHLyfZPe
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 12, 2022
S Kevin Byard on the loss
.@Titans safety @KevinByard after Sunday’s loss to the @Giants. pic.twitter.com/boVR1voyH6
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 12, 2022
LT Taylor Lewan on the loss
.@Titans LT @TaylorLewan77 agonizes over Sunday’s loss to @Giants. pic.twitter.com/4aY1CC9L28
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 12, 2022
RB Derrick Henry on the loss
.@Titans RB @KingHenry_2 after Sunday’s loss to the @Giants. pic.twitter.com/1OlisvcRmd
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 12, 2022
Henry on the missed FG
Derrick Henry on the missed FG: "We should've have even been in that situation." #Titans
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) September 12, 2022
