Tennessee
‘Worst quarter I’ve seen the Titans play’: Tennessee Titans fall apart in first quarter vs Commanders
The Tennessee Titans opened Sunday’s game with the Washington Commanders with a three-and-out on offense with two false start penalties thrown in, an ominous sign of what was to come in the first quarter.
Tennessee fell behind 21-0 to Washington in a disastrous first quarter that included three Commanders touchdown drives allowed, two Titans turnovers and more catches for left tackle JC Latham than the Titans receiving corps.
It was an all-systems failure for the Titans on Sunday in such a thorough fashion that hadn’t been seen yet in 2024 despite a poor 3-8 campaign.
Let’s go through the lowlights:
The Titans offense opened the game by losing 12 yards in a three-and-out that included false starts by Latham and Nicholas Petit-Frere.
After a Brian Robinson TD run, Tennessee’s second drive stalled out near midfield when Will Levis’ deflected pass landed in the hands of Latham for the rookie left tackle’s first career catch. But it didn’t move the chains, and the Titans had to punt.
Down 14-0 after a Jayden Daniels TD run, Tony Pollard was stripped on a second-down carry by Mike Sainristl, who recovered the ball he forced.
The Titans defense did get put into a difficult spot at 14-0 after the Pollard fumble, but that was after two Commanders touchdown drives that included Robinson’s 40-yard touchdown run and Daniels’ touchdown carry.
Washington ended the first quarter with 109 rushing yards. And Terry McLaurin, the Commanders top receiving option, already had four catches for 46 yards, including a touchdown catch.
After McLaurin’s TD catch to extend the Washington lead to 21-0 with 23 seconds remaining in the quarter, Jha’Quan Jackson returned the kickoff — and fumbled. Washington recovered the ball and proceeded to score on a second McLaurin touchdown reception.
But at least that TD happened in the second quarter.