The Tennessee Titans suffered an embarrassing loss in Week 1. The team was in full control over the Chicago Bears, enjoying a 17-3 lead at one point. However, turnovers and poor decision-making doomed the Titans and the team sits at 0-1 after one week.
In one way, fans can take solace in the fact that the Titans clearly outplayed the Bears. It would be a totally different scenario if the Titans were simply overmatched, but that wasn’t the case.
Regardless, a loss is a loss and, as expected, the Titans fell in the NFL power rankings of experts. Let’s take a look at where they stand in some notable NFL power rankings after Week 1.
Tennessee Titans Week 2 NFL power rankings
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: 28th (-2)
Florio: "Blowing winnable games can make for a long, long season."
Bleacher Report: 30th (-3)
Bleacher Report: "It takes serious effort to build a 17-point lead, shut out an opposing offense and yet somehow still lose a game. It takes will. Grit. Determination. Flat-out refusing to win. That's what the Tennessee Titans did Sunday."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 26th (-5)
Prisco: "They blew a game they should have won against the Bears. Will Levis has to be better than he showed in that game or this is going to be a long season."
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: 26 (-1)
Edholm: "Brian Callahan's debut was proceeding swimmingly, with the Titans going up 17-0. Then they allowed a long kick return that gave the Bears hope before halftime, followed by the blocked punt that kicked the barn door down. Will Levis played a respectable first three quarters, considering the pressure he faced, but the fourth was his worst quarter as a pro. Levis hadn't logged more than two turnovers in any of his first eight NFL starts, and then he had three in the final 12 minutes on Sunday, including two bad interceptions amid duress. Yes, the Titans have to find a way to improve Levis' protection; he has to play a lot better, too. Tony Pollard had a strong first outing with Tennessee, and Calvin Ridley had a few moments. Still, this was a tough way to open the season after so much initial promise in this game."
Diante Lee, The Ringer: 26 (-7)
Lee: "Before Levis crumbled against Chicago in the fourth quarter, Tennessee was doing all the things you’d like to see out of a scrappy, young, rebuilding team. Rookie offensive tackle JC Latham gave this offense instant value with his run blocking, and the Titans seemed to find a rhythm in running the ball. The defensive line played well, consistently winning at the point of attack in the run game and making Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams uncomfortable in the pocket. The biggest issue I saw in Week 1 was Levis’s decision-making in crunch time. After he flashed some arm talent and athleticism in the first half, his poor management of tight pockets and narrow throwing windows led to multiple turnovers and ultimately the Titans’ loss. Moving forward, the Titans should consider using Levis on more designed runs and moving him out of the pocket to simplify decisions for him."
