On a day when the Titans\u2019 much-maligned offense showed at least some signs of life, it was the team\u2019s defense \u2014 which had been on the rise \u2014 that ultimately proved more culpable in Tennessee\u2019s 37-24 loss to San Francisco on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The Titans simply could not get off the field defensively, allowing the 49ers to score on each of their first five possessions \u2014 en route to a 31-10 lead \u2014 and on seven-of-eight possessions overall.<\/p>\n
The only time Tennessee stopped the 49ers was when Jeffery Simmons recorded a strip sack of San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy early in the fourth quarter, resulting in a recovery by Titans defensive back Kaiir Elam.<\/p>\n
The 49ers piled up 430 yards against the Titans\u2019 injury-depleted defense, as Brock Purdy completed 23-of-30 passes for 295 yards and three touchdowns. San Francisco added 138 yards on the ground, including a 26-yard scramble by Purdy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe let him get out of the pocket too much,\u201d Titans interim coach Mike McCoy told reporters. \u201cBut that\u2019s what he does, and they make some explosive plays that way \u2026 We got to keep him in the pocket. Too many plays he made outside the pocket, running and throwing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Over the last month, the Titans\u2019 ability to get off the field on third down had been a strength. Tennessee had allowed a combined 15 third-down conversions on 47 attempts (31.9 percent) against Houston, Seattle, Jacksonville and Cleveland.<\/p>\n
But San Francisco converted 9-of-15 third-down attempts (60 percent), including each of the 49ers\u2019 first seven tries. San Francisco was also 1-for-1 on its only fourth-down try.<\/p>\n
Seven of the 49ers\u2019 nine third-down conversions came from five yards or closer, but San Francisco also converted on a third-and-13 and a third-and-11.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve got to be able to get off the field,\u201d McCoy told reporters. \u201cWhen [they] convert at that high rate and that percentage, it\u2019s tough. That\u2019s when you\u2019re going to give up all the points. You got to be able to get off the field on third down.\u201d<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve already touched on three big missed opportunities<\/a> by the Titans in Sunday\u2019s game in a separate article, but here are nine other takeaways from the game:<\/p>\n Ward\u2019s ups, downs: As usual, there was some good and some bad to be found in Ward\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n On the plus side, he threw a pair of touchdown passes for the second straight game, something he hadn\u2019t done at all through the first 12 games of his rookie season.<\/p>\n Ward also completed 62.1 percent of his pass attempts, meaning he\u2019s hit that mark or better in four of his last five games. His 101.2 quarterback rating was Ward\u2019s highest of the season.<\/p>\n In addition, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft steered the Titans to 24 points, marking the first time all season Tennessee had scored more than 20 points in back-to-back contests.<\/p>\n But there were some less than impressive numbers as well.<\/p>\n Ward threw for just 170 yards, marking the eighth time in 14 contests he\u2019s been held under 200 yards through the air. It\u2019s also worth pointing out that 62 of those passing yards came in the fourth quarter, which began with San Francisco ahead 31-10.<\/p>\n Ward\u2019s biggest mistake was missing a wide open Van Jefferson on what should have been a 47-yard touchdown pass just before halftime.<\/p>\n But he also threw a pair of passes that should have been intercepted.<\/p>\n In a game where the Titans needed to continually answer San Francisco\u2019s scores, the Titans went three-and-out on three possessions, gaining a combined total of just three net yards on those series.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was good besides the three and outs, those were the biggest things,\u201d Ward said of the offense\u2019s performance. \u201cThat\u2019s what hurt us the whole game, not starting fast first half or second half. Then just the real mishaps on my end \u2026 It\u2019s just the little things that we got to continue to clean up. But I think we\u2019re playing very good, especially up front.\u201d<\/p>\n Status quo on draft front: The Titans\u2019 loss dropped the team to 2-12 and kept them in the No. 3 draft spot for 2026, per Tankathon<\/a>,\u00a0which bases its slotting on games played so far as well as projected strength of schedule for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n The Giants (2-12) hold the No. 1 spot, followed by the Raiders (2-12). Those teams will meet Dec. 28 in Las Vegas, which means one will add a win\u2014or, theoretically, that each will add a tie.<\/p>\n Arizona, Cleveland and the New York Jets each sit at 3-11.<\/p>\n New Orleans won its fourth game on Sunday, which means the Titans have a two-game \u201clead\u201d on the Saints (4-10) \u2014 who will travel to Nissan Stadium for a Dec. 28 contest.<\/p>\n Simmons sets career bests: Despite the Titans\u2019 struggles, Simmons continues on pace toward what may be his first All-Pro season.<\/p>\n The three-time Pro Bowler on Sunday produced a stat line rarely seen: He posted seven tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one touchdown reception.<\/p>\n