The Tennessee Titans left Baltimore still searching for their first win of 2026, and the scoreboard told the story: a 24-18 loss that felt like a missed opening. Baltimore led 24-7 at halftime, and even with Lamar Jackson sidelined for the second half because of an ankle injury, Tennessee couldn’t climb all the way back.
That leaves the Titans at 0-4, with each of their last three losses coming by one score. The late push was there. The result never flipped.
After the game, head coach Robert Saleh didn’t hide how the afternoon felt from his side. Asked about the Titans failing to finish the comeback after shutting out Baltimore in the second half, he called the game frustrating and eventually described it this way:
"It was frustrating overall from a viewing standpoint," Saleh said. "Offense came out with a lot of juice.
It was a goofy game. It didn't feel like 24-7 at halftime.
But I do appreciate the fact that everyone came out and fought. But overall disappointing."
Tennessee had enough chances to make this one matter and didn’t cash in on them. Against a team that sits among the AFC’s top contenders, the Titans put themselves behind with too many empty possessions and too many wasted opportunities.
One of the biggest culprits came in the red zone during the second quarter. Tennessee ran the ball seven straight times there and still came away with nothing after getting stuffed on fourth-and-goal. Saleh backed offensive coordinator Brian Daboll when asked about the play-calling and said the staff is trying to put the team in the best possible position.
"Felt like we were running the ball pretty well," Saleh said. "That's something I'll defintely have a conversation with Daboll about.
In those situations, the guys work their tails off to call the best plays in that situation based on what we've seen on tape. I'm pleased with the preparation that goes into it.
We'll figure out what we have to do better."
That kind of conservative approach has followed Tennessee all season, and it continues to keep the offense from opening up when the game calls for more. Cam Ward has not been trusted in key moments, and the result has been an attack that keeps tripping over its own feet.
Even in a loss, though, the Titans got a major lift from rookie wideout Carnell Tate. The Ohio State product put together a big day with nine catches for 145 yards, despite also losing a fumble. For Tennessee, he looked like the kind of player it expected when it used the No. 4 overall pick in April.
Saleh had strong words for the rookie after the game.
"He's a young kid and he's going to get better. He's going to get more consistent. He's going to be a good player for a while."
Tate has been building momentum over the last two weeks and has emerged as Tennessee’s top target. At 21, he’s giving the Titans something real to build on, even as the losses keep piling up.
Next up, Tennessee goes back home to face the winless Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. One AFC South team will pick up its first victory of the season, and the Titans will get their shot to make sure it’s them.
In Other News...
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Pete DeBoer said Romanov is still being evaluated, which leaves the Islanders in wait-and-see mode for now. If the injury lingers, it would add another layer of difficulty to a defensive group that can ill afford to lose a regular presence for any length of time. [Read more 🡒]
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Alexis Lafrenire led the way for the Rangers with a big night, while Oliver Bjorkstrand added two goals and Mika Zibanejad piled up three assists as the visitors pulled away and stretched their winning streak to four. For the Islanders, the result was less about the score line than the reminder that simply getting Varlamov back is only one piece of a much larger problem they still have to solve. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Suddenly Have A Blue Line Concern After Rivalry Loss
The Islanders left their rivalry loss with more than just a setback in the standings, because two regulars came out banged up and the blue line suddenly looks a little thinner. Simon Holmstrom was forced out after taking a hit to the face, and while the concern is a broken nose, the early expectation is that he will keep playing and stay in his third-line role.
Alexander Romanovs exit is the more pressing issue for the back end. The defenseman left with a leg injury, and coach Pete DeBoer did not offer a postgame update, leaving the Islanders to sort through what it could mean for the defensive rotation if Romanov needs time. [Read more 🡒]