The Titans showed some spunk on defense in the second half, when they got more pressure on Hurts and forced two punts while also recording another interception (Marcus Harris). But in the end, the effort wasn’t good enough. The defense’s inability to get off the field on third down (the Eagles converted 11-of-18 in the game) proved costly, and when the defense was presented with an opportunity to slam the door shut at the end, it allowed a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown scoring drive that was capped off with a Philly game-winning touchdown pass with nine seconds left. “We’re trying to be the best defense in the NFL, and the best defenses in the NFL live for moment like that, and we do, too,” safety Kevin Winston Jr. said. “Presented with that opportunity, we have to make sure we capitalize. In moments like that, we want to end the game on our terms.”
Tennessee’s offense looked much better compared to Week 1, when the Titans could hardly get anything going. Quarterback Cam Ward completed 13-of-20 passes for 183 yards on Sunday, with explosive pass plays to Elic Ayomanor (41 yards) and Calvin Ridley (25 yards), and a nifty 27-yard run by Tyjae Spears. The Titans ran the ball better (122 rushing yards), and the unit put together some nice drives. Still, the effort wasn’t good enough. The team’s last possession ended with a field goal instead of a touchdown, and penalties, mistakes, and that sack at the end, hurt the cause. “I just think we had a better showing,” Ward said. “We had a better showing running the ball. We had a better pass game. … I still didn’t do as much as I really wanted to today, but that’s also something I continue to get better at.”
I mentioned Ayomanor’s hurdle earlier, and I’m hitting it again here because it caused quite the stir at Nissan Stadium at a time the Titans – and their fans – were feeling it. Ayomanor caught a pass from Ward and he jumped right over Eagles safety Marcus Epps before sprinting down the field for a 41-yard gain. It was part of a go-ahead drive for the Titans. Ayomanor downplayed the highlight-reel play after the game, while teammates said it was cool to see. “You make a play,” Ayomanor said. “In the NFL, you are supposed to make plays. That’s my job, that’s what I am supposed to do.” Ayomanor had two catches for 69 yards in the contest. “I had a great view of (the hurdle),” Ward said. “All I had to do was get him the ball, the space was wide and it was a great play call by Dabes (Brian Daboll). That man’s an athlete. So, I’m pretty sure that’s not the last hurdle we’ll see from him.”