The Tennessee Titansput a better foot forward against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 20 at Nissan Stadium in front of a bi-partisan crowd.
But the Eagles' late drive for a touchdown gave Philadelphia the 24-20 win in Week 2.
The second half was an encouraging stretch for both sides of the football, with the offense putting together a long touchdown drive and explosive plays while the defense heated up Jalen Hurts.
But the final drive was where the game flipped at the end.
Here are the Titans winners and losers from their Week 2 loss to the Eagles.
Titans vs Eagles winners and losers
Winner: Elic Ayomanor emerging as big-play receiver
The Titans added Wan'Dale Robinson in free agency and Carnell Tate in the draft at wide receiver to boost the skill group around
second-year QB Cam Ward.
But second-year receiver Elic Ayomanor has emerged as a big-play target through two games.
Ayomanor had the lone touchdown against the Jets in Week 1, then followed that with two long catches against the Eagles.
His 28-yard catch jumpstarted the Titans' two-minute offense late in the first half, resulting in a field goal.
And Ayomanor's 41-yard catch and run, showing some YAC ability he hasn't shown much of yet as a pro, set the Titans up late in the fourth quarter to go up 20-17.
It's been an up-and-down start to the season for the Titans' revamped passing game, but it's clear Ward and Ayomanor have a connection.
Winner: Winning football for 28 of 30 minutes in second half
For the first time in a few seasons, the Tennessee Titans played balanced, complementary football against a good opponent for a large stretch of a close game.
As the Titans defense held the Eagles to two punts, a field goal off of a short field and an interception on Philly's first four drives of the second half, the Titans put together two long drives of 69 yards to tie the game and then take the lead. Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears each contributed on the ground, while Ward was able to work the middle of the field on a couple occasions for success.
Titans coach Robert Saleh said after the game that there are moral victories, and that's fair. (The Raiders are 2-0, after all.) But the second half was a real source of optimism for this franchise against one of the league's best.
It won't be a win in the record books, but it's a clear step in the right direction.
Loser: Offense in first halves
For the second straight week, the Titans had less than 100 total yards offensively in the first half.
Cam Ward and the Titans offense did cash in for seven points in the first quarter after Amani Hooker's 92-yard interception return, keeping the score within reason by halftime even as the box score was lopsided toward Philadelphia's favor.
Of course, the defense also played a role in that. Speaking in terms of complementary football, the Titans allowed drives of 15, 11 and 14 plays in the first half. There were only seven total possessions in the first two quarters.
But the Titans had no explosive plays until the final drive in the first half, with Ayomanor's 28-yard catch and a Tyjae Spears 27-yard catch and run.
A fast start should be an emphasis going forward for the Titans' offensive coaching staff.
Loser: Defense on the final drive
The pass rush picked up in the second half, often with a four-man rush, but it went away on the Eagles' game-winning touchdown drive.
Jalen Hurts was 6-of-8 passing for 63 yards on the final drive, with the Eagles quarterback making tight-window throws along the sidelines including the 19-yard pass to DeVonta Smith to set up first-and-goal with 13 seconds left.
When the Titans brought the blitz on that first down play, Hurts found Darius Cooper wide open for the game-winning score.
That final drive will be a tough rewatch on film for both the defensive line and the secondary.
"It's going to come down to execution," Saleh said about the final drive.
Tennessee was a play away from a statement upset win, one game-sealing defensive stop. But the play never happened.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Titans vs Eagles winners, losers as Elic Ayomanor emerges as big-play WR, defense crumbles late
