The Tennessee Titans continued their epic downward spiral in Week 16 by losing a fifth-straight game for the first time in the Mike Vrabel era with a 19-14 loss to the lowly Houston Texans in Week 16.
The Titans now find themselves on the outside looking in for the playoffs, as the loss allows the Jacksonville Jaguars to jump Tennessee for first place via head-to-head tie-breaker for now.
The Titans are facing a winner-take-all Week 18 game against their division rival. But first, Tennessee has to host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17, which amounts to a meaningless game in terms of playoff implications.
However, Tennessee desperately needs a win before going into such a crucial game against the Jags, so it’s meaningful in that regard. The Jags, meanwhile, travel to take on the Texans next week.
You can check out a full recap of the Titans’ Week 16 loss right here. Now, a look at what head coach Mike Vrabel and Titans players had to say about their latest embarrassing loss at the hands of a division rival.
HC Mike Vrabel
Some pretty real comments from Mike Vrabel regarding whether or not this has been the toughest time for him as the coach of the #Titans pic.twitter.com/kSGdy6CHHT
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022
#Titans HC Mike Vrabel said he's proud of the way the team has fought despite all of the injuries. pic.twitter.com/fFhAx5O9Gm
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022
Mike Vrabel on #Titans slim margin for error. pic.twitter.com/8qK88L3hSM
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 24, 2022
Mike Vrabel on the return of Denico Autry for the #Titans. pic.twitter.com/jCumoxq3qp
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022
Where does Mike Vrabel expect #Titans to find hope and expectation out of five-game losing streak? pic.twitter.com/phwa20qOlJ
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 24, 2022
S Kevin Byard
#Titans safety @KevinByard on what he’ll say to boost teammates. pic.twitter.com/Q8PN9O2nkA
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 24, 2022
Kevin Byard said this is the toughest time he's had as a #Titans player. Shared his thoughts on Mike Vrabel saying the team as a group has to all put in a little more. pic.twitter.com/bwdqAJWX8C
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022
Kevin Byard said the #Titans need to find ways to win. He doesn’t care what Thursday may or may not mean. pic.twitter.com/aVmXVsTMTU
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 24, 2022
DL Jeffery Simmons
Jeffery Simmons’ confidence remains high. #Titans pic.twitter.com/wFZey85KJd
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 24, 2022
Jeffery Simmons on being moee consistent in the building, whether or not he cares if anyone outside the building gives up on the #Titans and more. pic.twitter.com/ukD9DGrn9z
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022
QB Malik Willis
Malik Willis on how tough it was to lose after having a lead late in the game. #Titans pic.twitter.com/UbITy8V2YW
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022
Malik Willis’ describing his first interception. #Titans pic.twitter.com/qzEC2mD6mV
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) December 24, 2022
Malik Willis says he feels blessed to be a part of the team, has a lot of respect for the #Titans defense and feels he let them down. pic.twitter.com/J9cz4RSDuu
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022
LB Jack Gibbens
#Titans linebacker Jack Gibbens after loss to Texans. pic.twitter.com/XSjT2fdofW
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 24, 2022
RB Derrick Henry
#Titans Derrick Henry explained what happened on the fumble. Said he wasn't making any excuses but admitted to taking the sleeves off to try something different. Henry said the fumble was more due to him trying to break tackles and get extra yards while a defender raked it out. pic.twitter.com/iXhaqEkwue
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 24, 2022