LANDOVER, Md. – The Titans lost 42-19 to the Commanders here on Sunday at Northwest Stadium.
Here's a look at six things that stood out from the contest:
Terrible Start
As I was watching the first quarter unfold on Sunday, I had a flashback to 15 years ago: October 18, 2009. That's the day the Titans lost 59-0 to the Patriots. The Titans fell behind 35-0 by halftime in that game, and they were never competitive. The Titans got off to a miserable start against the Commanders, and, unlike that game in Foxboro, the team got off the mat and showed some life in the second half on Sunday. But two turnovers, penalties, and a dismal defensive performance early against the Commanders doomed the Titans early in this one. It proved to be too much to overcome.
Turnovers
Two fumbles early also put the Titans behind the 8 ball, but let's face it, things were already going in the wrong direction. It was 14-0 when running back Tony Pollard fumbled, and the Commanders cashed that in for a touchdown to make it 21-0. On the ensuing kickoff, Titans returner Jha'Quan Jackson lost the football, and the Commanders pounced on it again. And, the Commanders cashed it in for a touchdown again. The 28-0 deficit put the Titans in a position where they'd have to play perfect the rest of the way, and that didn't happen.
NWI TD Streak
Titans receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been one of the team's most consistent players. Westbrook Ikhine scored two more touchdowns on Sunday, on catches of 17 and 27 yards. Westbrook-Ikhine now has eight touchdowns on the season. NWI joined Ja'Marr Chase (13), Terry McLaurin (nine), Amon-Ra St. Brown (nine) and George Kittle (eight) as the NFL's only players with eight or more touchdown receptions through the early afternoon games of Dec. 1. Westbrook-Ikhine had three catches for 61 yards against the Commanders. He smiled when asked about his touchdown streak, but not without first being critical of himself for a drop.
Poor Run Defense
The Titans take pride in being able to stop the run, but they sure didn't do a very good job of that against the Commanders. On Sunday, the Commanders ran for 267 yards. Running back Brian Robinson had 103 yards on the ground, and running back Chris Rodriguez added 94 more. On the day, the Commanders averaged 5.9 yards per carry. The Commanders set a tone early with their success, and left the Titans mad, frustrated, and probably embarrassed.
Penalties
The Titans have been one of the NFL's most penalized teams this season, and they kept that going on Sunday. Against the Commanders, the Titans were penalized 12 times for 93 yards. The infractions started early, with false starts by JC Latham and Nicholas Petit-Frere on the opening possession, and they continued throughout the game, on both sides of the ball, and on special teams. At 3-9, this is a team that has trouble winning football games. The penalties aren't helping.
Don't Blame Will Levis
Any time the Titans lose, I usually get a whole lot of feedback on quarterback Will Levis. A lot of times, the feedback is pretty harsh. Levis didn't play lights out on Sunday, a day when he completed 18-of-37 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He missed some throws, and with him at the controls, the Titans couldn't finish in the red zone on two big occasions with touchdowns, not field goals. But on Sunday, this team's biggest issues weren't at the quarterback position.
The Tennessee Titans take on the Commanders in Week 13 at Northwest Stadium.
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByDonald Page/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Commanders compete at Northwest Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Washington DC. Photo ByJessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
