Tennessee Titans fans did not win the home attendance battle in Week 2.
They were widely outnumbered by visiting fans in a 24-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 20.
Just before kickoff, the stadium was mostly covered in Eagles green. More Titans blue filled in by the first quarter, but Philly fans still seemed to make up 60% to 70% of the 68,567 paid attendance.
They exploded when Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts slammed the door on the Titans late, hitting Darius Cooper for a 3-yard go-ahead touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
“I’m going to be real. I’ve been here.
We’ve been 3-14 here the last two years. There have been a lot of games where it's kind of been like that,” said Titans linebacker Cedric Gray, who finished with four tackles and a TFL in 30 snaps after returning from concussion protocol. “I’m kind of used to it. It really doesn’t bother me. We’ve got to start winning some games so we can turn that around.”
It hasn't been unusual for visiting fans to take over Nissan Stadium the past few seasons. The Titans haven't drawn huge crowds, considering their struggles. And because Nashville's a popular vacation spot, visitors use the chance to see the city and catch a game.
The Titans (0-2) led 20-17 with 1:56 remaining after a Joey Slye 33-yard field goal. At that point, their fans were alive with the Eagles (2-0) on the ropes.
At other times, it felt a little more like a road game for the home team.
Titans guard Peter Skoronski said the offense used its sound cadence “once or twice.”
“We have to give (Titans fans) something to show up for, something they're proud of and will pack the stadium for,” Skoronski said. “You hate to see the away team take over. Credit to the (home) fans that were there. I thought they did a good job. We felt them at times when we made plays, third downs here and there.”
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans players react to Eagles fans packing Nissan Stadium
