Titans Stumble, Leaving Rookie QB Cam Ward Unshielded in Season Opener

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When a quarterback debuts in the NFL, rookie mistakes are to be expected.

The Tennessee Titans didn’t provide sufficient support for their new quarterback, Cam Ward, in their season opener, led by coach Brian Callahan who lost an opportunity for a notable win on the road.

The team endured multiple dropped passes and failed to challenge an incompletion where an elbow landed inbounds, alongside permitting too many penalties and sacks in a 20-12 loss to Denver. Callahan acknowledged his mistake regarding the challenge.

“Ultimately, my interpretation of the rule was wrong. I’ll own it,” Callahan admitted. “We should have challenged the play.”

Appointed in January 2024 for his offensive acumen, Callahan called plays for his first time. Tennessee, previously 3-14, selected Ward to presumably lead them forward as a franchise quarterback.

Although Ward encountered challenges, including consecutive sacks in field-goal range after a fumbled punt recovery, he showed composure amidst formidable pressure from Denver’s defence, which led the NFL in sacks last season.

The rookie completed 12 of 28 passes for 112 yards, achieving a 54.5 passer rating hindered by unreceived catches. Despite a promising field-goal drive in the opening, penalties nearly outweighed their total offensive yards.

Postgame, Callahan admitted error in not challenging a long pass to rookie Elic Ayomanor, ruled incomplete, though an elbow does count as a completion under NFL regulations.

A sequence in the concluding 47 seconds of the first half highlighted Callahan’s play-calling challenges as three consecutive pass plays from their own 7 were called when running out the clock with a 6-3 lead into halftime might have sufficed. Instead, after incompletions and a near safety sack by Ward, Denver seized the lead with two plays before halftime.

Turnover management was key following their poor turnover margin last season. Despite yielding two interceptions and recovering a fumbled punt, the Titans struggled in penalty management, finishing with 13 accepted penalties. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons acknowledged the penalties as a decisive factor in their defeat.

Simmons contributed with a sack, forced fumble, and pressured resulting in an interception by teammate Xavier Woods.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr., responsible for three penalties including a costly pass interference before Denver’s initial touchdown, and wide receiver Calvin Ridley, hit by unreceived catches and high passes, were also noted contributors.

Right tackle JC Latham, hindered by a hip issue, was unable to complete the game. Callahan noted their intention to monitor Latham’s condition carefully.

Tennessee’s restructured offensive line allowed the rookie quarterback to be sacked six times during the game.

The Titans will host their next two games at home against the Los Angeles Rams, before four consecutive away games, totaling five away matchups in the opening eight games.

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