Rapid reaction from the Tennessee Titans' 24-18 road loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 4 at M&T Bank Stadium:
Talking points
- Point a finger at the defense for this one. This was the Titans’ worst defensive performance yet under coach Robert Saleh, and it actually wasn’t Derrick Henry doing most of the damage as the Ravens built a 24-7 halftime lead. It was quarterback Lamar Jackson. He needed only one half to beat the Titans before being sidelined for the second half by an ankle injury. In the first half, Jackson threw for 222 yards and two touchdowns. The Titans had few answers for receiver Zay Flowers, who totaled 118 receiving yards, most of it before halftime.
- Facing that big deficit at halftime, the Titans were gifted a glimmer of hope with Jackson out of the game, and the Ravens’ second-half offense slowed without him. But the Titans were unable to close the gap in rainy conditions. Overall, Cam Ward and company were better, and the offense did finish strong again, producing a late touchdown drive. But again, it didn’t amount to a win. Still too much sloppy, bad football. Things like a reckless and unnecessary flip by Ward that sailed through Tony Pollard’s hands for an interception on the game’s second offensive play, setting up Baltimore's first touchdown.
- The Titans finally got rookie receiver Carnell Tate going. He had a huge day, catching nine passes for 145 yards. That was good. Except just before halftime, he was stripped by the Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton for a key fumble to spoil a 33-yard pass play. That turnover amounted to a 10-point swing when the Ravens turned it into a 64-yard field goal. That wasn't so good. Just another example of offensive progress meeting self-inflicted mistakes.
- As for King Henry, he finished with 73 rushing yards on 23 attempts, scoring an early touchdown by barreling through Kevin Winston Jr., and getting rolling on a few runs. The Titans hit Henry hard a few times, too. It wasn't a show-stopping reunion for Henry against his old team, but he was important in the fourth quarter with the Ravens trying to kill clock and protect their lead with Tyler Huntley at quarterback.
- Keeping with that overall theme of one step forward, another back: Chimere Dike had a better afternoon in the return game. But the Titans' return units also committed holding penalties to set the offense back on two of its first four possessions. A rare strength of last season’s Titans, John Fassel’s special teams haven't been as good in 2026.
Where the game turned
The Titans made the correct decision to go for a fourth-and-goal from the Ravens' 2 in the second quarter. Problem was the play call: A direct snap to Pollard, who was in the shotgun after carrying the football on the previous four plays, was too slow to develop. After Pollard was stuffed short of the goal line, Jackson drove the Ravens 98 yards on eight plays to extend their lead. The Titans hadn’t played terribly to that point, but they still trailed by 17 points at halftime, and that goal-line stop was massive in a game decided by six points.
Key number
131 – Penalty yards for the Ravens. That's a lot. The Titans didn't punish them for it,
though.
What I liked
If there is a reason to believe these Titans could still have moderate success after their 0-4 start, it is an offensive line that continues to overachieve under position coach Carmen Bricillo. The Titans lost their top two right guards entering this game and just plugged in . . . checks roster . . . Atonio Mafi. And you know what? It went OK. The O-line got a good push for much of this game. It was refreshing to see part of this franchise step up and overcome adversity without it being an excuse.
What I didn’t like
For these Titans to have any chance against good teams, Saleh’s defense must play better to start games. The Ravens scored touchdowns on three of their first four possessions, with Jackson getting 14.8 yards per completion against coverage that offered little resistance. Jackson's 222 passing yards in one half matched Ward's total for the entire game. While the Ravens’ injuries and penalties offered opportunity for late comeback, this Titans offense hasn't been explosive enough to overcome a big first-half deficit.
Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Different week, same result as Titans come up short vs shorthanded Ravens | Estes
