Tag: mason rudolph

Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 10 opponent: Titans

Here are some important things to know about the Titans ahead of the Week 10 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are at home to face the Titans on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1:05 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 10 bout, here are five key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Titans are 2-6 on the season. Tennessee snapped a three-game losing streak after beating the Patriots last Sunday.

Porous passing game

The Chargers shouldn’t have to worry about the Titans presenting a problem through the air. Tennessee currently ranks 31st in passing offense, averaging 170.8 yards per game. Mason Rudolph has served as the Titans’ starting quarterback in the last three games, while Will Levis has been sidelined with a shoulder injury. Rudolph had his most productive outing last weekend, throwing for over 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tennessee is hopeful that Levis can play this weekend. In five games, Levis has completed 66.4% of his passes for 699 yards and five TDs to seven interceptions.

Ground game is working

While the Titans’ passing attack hasn’t been efficient, their offense has benefited from the running game. Tennessee is 12th in that department, averaging 125.6 YPG. Tony Pollard, who was acquired this past offseason, has been a key playmaker in the team’s offense. Pollard has rushed for 622 yards and three scores, with an average of 4.4 yards per carry.

Stiff defense

You can’t attribute the Titans losing as many games as they have to their defense. Tennessee ranks No. 1 in total defense and passing defense. They’re also third in yards per play allowed and 11th against the run. However, they’re allowing a handful of points, as opponents are averaging 26.6 PPG (26th). This speaks to their struggles in the red zone, as the Titans are 26th in this category.

Look out for…

Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. The Chargers’ interior offensive line has struggled this season, and Simmons can give them fits. Simmons generated a season-high seven pressures and a sack on 37 pass rushes in Week 9 against the Patriots, including three pressures in under 2.5 seconds.

Titans vs. Lions: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 8

The Tennessee Titans take on the Detroit Lions this Sunday afternoon in Week 8 and here are three reasons for optimism.

The Tennessee Titans are coming off a debilitating loss to the Buffalo Bills and are in desperation mode. Their anemic offense will now be without wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who was traded away earlier in the week.

Even their top-ranked defense will have a massive hole, as the team traded starting linebacker Ernest Jones as well. None of this sets up well for a game against one of the most complete and explosive teams in the NFL: The Detroit Lions.

It’s hard for fans to remain optimistic right now. The team is losing, appears headed toward a rebuild, and questions about the coaching staff continue to arise.

Still, for Titans fans, there are some slight reasons for optimism in Week 8, and here are three of them.

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Series dominance

The Titans have history on their side as they travel north to face the Lions. The Titans are undefeated against the Lions since the team relocated to Tennessee in 1997. During that span, they are 6-0, last beating the Lions in 2020. The last time the Titans had history on their side was against the Miami Dolphins, where they continued their undefeated Monday Night Football streak for their lone win of the season. It’s not much, but it’s something.

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Trap game emotions

Looking at the schedule, this game may be set up perfectly for the Titans. The Lions are coming off a huge divisional win, knocking off the undefeated Minnesota Vikings, and next week will be facing division rival Green Bay in a critical NFC North battle. Trap games are more prevalent in the NCAA, but they do happen in the NFL and this game sets up as a prime example. Football is an emotional game and the NFL does live up to the “any given Sunday” mantra every week. Titans fans hope that happens this week.

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Time of possession

It’s a subtle thing that in the grand scheme of things is often misleading, but in this case, it may be one facet of the game for the Titans to focus on. Even with all of the offensive struggles, the Titans have done a good job of maintaining a time-of-possession advantage. Even in their Week 7 debacle against the Bills, they held a six-minute advantage.

With likely starter quarterback Mason Rudolph having a full week of first-team reps, the offense could continue that trend this week. When you couple that with a stout Titans defense taking on a Lions offense down a significant playmaker with wide receiver Jameson Williams being suspended, it could come into play.

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Titans OC Nick Holz: ‘We’ve got to be able to adjust’

Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz adressed the media one day after the team traded away star WR DeAndre Hopkins.

Thursday is always an entertaining day around the NFL. It’s the day that coordinators typically speak with the media. It was no different today as Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz spoke to the media. 

With this being the first time Holz met with the media since the team traded away WR DeAndre Hopkins, the focus was destined to be on that and the wide receiver position as a whole. While that did happen, with Holz mentioning that the team is “pressing” to get the ball to Calvin Ridley as well as players such as Mason Kinsey and Bryce Oliver potentially seeing increased reps, it was what he said about the defenses they’ve been facing that are truly interesting. 

This is a comment that might not be backed up by fact. Earlier in the week, Next Gen Stats released the nugget that RB Tony Pollard was the only featured running back in the NFL that did not face a stacked box against the Bills. He followed that with this.

Again, this goes against the data about stacked boxes, although the two comments together could explain the reason. If the Titans are using max-protections and limiting the number of receivers in routes, they could be inadvertently torpedoing their rushing attack. 

It is clear the coaching staff has struggled with making adjustments, especially after halftime, and this exchange with the media points to those deficiencies. Not only does this staff have to make better game plans, but they must also be better in-game, and the Titans will continue to have a dismal outlook until that happens. 

Find out if any adjustments have been made on Sunday when likely starter Mason Rudolph leads the Titans against the Detroit Lions in Week 8 action.

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Titans vs. Lions: 3 causes for concern in Week 8

The Tennessee Titans head to Michigan to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday and here are three causes for concern heading into Week 8.

This Sunday, the Tennessee Titans head to Michigan to face the Detroit Lions. The Titans are 1-5 after six games, while the Lions are 5-1 and lead the NFC North division.

As much as the Buffalo Bills and Titans were polar opposites in Week 7, the Lions and Titans are equally as opposite. Jared Goff has exploded onto the scene as a reliable and consistent leader on the field. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs are sharing time and making the most of it. Even with the loss of Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions’ defense still presents a problem for the Titans.

The Titans have their work cut out for them on the road and there are three major causes for concern in Week 8.

Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

Offensive woes are a persistent problem

Titans head coach Brian Callahan admits there’s a problem at right tackle. Leroy Watson played well against Indianapolis and didn’t allow a single sack but was penalized twice which resulted in Nicholas Petit-Frere getting back on the field against Buffalo. And we all know how that went.

On top of the offensive line issues, the Titans just traded away their top receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. This still leaves them with Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd. And with Treylon Burks on injured reserve (IR), rookie Jha’Quan Jackson will likely see some playing time.

The thing is, if the quarterback, which looks to be Mason Rudolph as of right now, can’t get the ball to the receivers, then it doesn’t matter which receivers are on the field. Rudolph struggled against Buffalo in Week 7, and Week 8 against the Lions isn’t going to be any different.

Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

Defensive changes will impact on-field play

The Titans traded away Ernest Jones IV on Wednesday. It was the second trade of the day, and this one had a bigger impact than the Hopkins trade. Jones was a leader among the defense, he is second in tackles behind Kenneth Murray Jr., and while he hasn’t recorded any sacks this season, his presence on the field will be missed.

On top of that trade, the Titans made it known that Harold Landry III is on the trading block and the team is open to offers. Landry will still go out there and play and he will do his job to the best of his ability, but that has to be in the back of his head and could affect how well he plays on Sunday.

The Titans’ defense is riddled with injuries, and with how this season started, it’s clear that Ran Carthon is looking forward and brushing this season off as a loss. Whether that’s his intention or not, that’s the perception, and you better believe it impacts how every player on the team performs.

Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The locker room is frustrated, morale is down

Losing games. Trading key players. The same problems happening week after week. The Titans’ locker room is frustrated, and it’s not just the receivers. No one likes losing, and the people who are most impacted by the losses are the players trying their hardest on the field. There is nothing more frustrating as an athlete than doing your own part and doing everything in your power to win a game, only to lose it because of coaching or front office issues.

That’s where the Titans are this week. Brian Callahan’s inability to make in-game adjustments has cost them at least three of their six games. Ran Carthon’s decision to trade both Hopkins and Jones feels like a gut punch,and is a clear indication that the Titans are going to rebuild, and they’re starting now.

When players are frustrated, they don’t play well. When they don’t play well, their mood comes down and turns to anger. Continuing to lose amplifies those feelings. Carthon just dropped a match on a tinder box filled to the brim, and it’s going to explode. Probably on Sunday if (when) they lose.

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Mason Rudolph to start at quarterback for Titans in Week 7 vs. Bills

Mason Rudolph will replace the injured Will Levis at quarterback for the Titans in Week 7.

Is the Will Levis era already over in Tennessee?

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Titans will start veteran Mason Rudolph at quarterback on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills as Levis continues to deal with a shoulder injury. Levis was ruled out for Sunday’s game, and the Titans signed quarterback Trevor Siemian from the practice squad to back up Rudolph.

Head coach Brian Callahan said before that if Levis were healthy, he’d be the starter. So, unless Rudolph lights it up in Buffalo, Levis will likely be back in the lineup once his shoulder is 100% healthy.

Tennessee signed Siemian to its practice squad on Oct. 9. The 10-year NFL veteran has played in 40 career games, with 33 starts, including three last season with the New York Jets.

Rudolph’s first appearance this season came in Tennessee’s only win, a Week 4 victory over Miami. Rudolph relieved Levis, which is where he suffered the initial shoulder injury. Rudolph completed nine of 17 pass attempts for 85. He didn’t need to do much as the Titans leaned on Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears and the defense.

Former Steelers’ QB set to make first 2024 start for Titans in Week 7

Mason Rudolph, the man who almost saved the Steelers 2023 post-season aspirations, is set to make his first Tenessee Titans start in Week 7.

Russell Wilson isn’t the only quarterback this week making his season debut start, as former Steelers QB Mason Rudolph is taking over signal-calling duties in Week 7. Rudolph will make his first start for the Tennessee Titans, as their former starting QB Will Levis is currently nursing a shoulder injury.

Mason Rudolph almost single-handedly revitalized the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense at the end of the 2023 season and led the team to a playoff berth against the Buffalo Bills in the 2023 AFC Wild Card game. While Rudolph couldn’t finish the job and help the ‘Steel City’ achieve their aspirations of a seventh Lombardi trophy, and would ultimately leave Pittsburgh the following offseason, Rudolph holds a special place in the hearts of Steelers fans.

Pittsburgh and their ‘Steel City’ faithful wish Rudolph all the luck in the world as he leads his Titans to take on the Buffalo Bills on October 20th at 1:00 PM EST.

It’s clear: Will Levis is not the answer at quarterback for the Titans

It’s clear: Will Levis is not the guy for the Titans.

It’s clear, Titans fans: Will Levis is not the answer at the quarterback position in Nashville.

Sure, Levis has technically only had four complete games this season, but what we’ve seen so far will be hard, if not impossible, to return from.

The Titans are sitting at 1-4, and Levis is at or near the bottom of the league in almost every passing category. Last year, it was easy to give Levis the benefit of the doubt. The Titans had a terrible offensive line and an uninspiring group of pass-catchers.

That’s exactly why the Titans spent more money in free agency than any other team this offseason. Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd, Tony Pollard, and Lloyd Cushenberry were brought in to alleviate some of these issues. How has Levis responded to the improved talent? The QB has played even worse.

Is Will Levis holding the Titans back?

Much of the discourse around Levis in 2023 was that the poor roster was holding him back. Could it be the exact opposite in 2024?

Looking at the Titans’ offense, this is not a roster that should have one of the league’s most anemic offenses. The Titans are 21st in points per game, 31st in passing yards per game, and 22nd in passing touchdowns per game.

Levis averages just 5.6 yards per attempt, putting him behind QBs like Skylar Thompson, Spencer Rattler, Daniel Jones, Andy Dalton, and Drake Maye. The QB is 30th in passing yards with just 699 through four complete games.

Putting up numbers like this with the weapons at Levis’ disposal is inexcusable. DeAndre Hopkins is a future Hall of Famer, who is barely making an impact. In the past, Calvin Ridley has been a 1,000-yard WR who didn’t record a single catch in Week 6.

Finally, Levis’s major problem has been turnovers. Levis leads the league with seven interceptions, even as the quarterback has played two fewer complete games than some passers.

Every game, there’s a head-scratching turnover by the QB. This hasn’t gotten better as the season goes on. It cannot be blamed on the offensive line either, considering Levis wasn’t sacked a single time on Sunday.

Barring the turnaround of a lifetime, it’s clear that Levis is not the answer at QB. The choice now is does the team keep trotting Levis out and hope to land a top pick in the 2025 NFL draft? Or does the team turn to Mason Rudolph and try to salvage a season with a ton of money invested?

 

Titans’ Levis has sprained AC Joint, expected to return Week 6

The Tennessee Titans have received some good news on the injury front pertaining to QB Will Levis, who injured his shoulder Monday Night.

The Tennessee Titans finally got their first win Monday night with a 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins behind Mason Rudolph, who took over from an injured Will Levis in the first quarter. 

With head coach Brian Callahan declaring Levis the starter once healthy, the question becomes when exactly that will be. After receiving an MRI on his ailing shoulder, there is some clarity. 

According to reports, Levis suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder. The injury should not cause him to miss an extended period, and the Titans expect him to be available after their Week 5 bye. Of course, all of this is speculation at this point, and Levis could be limited or show signs of continued discomfort as practice resumes next week for their Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. 

If he can’t go, Rudolph would get the first start of his Titans career. Against Miami, Rudolph proved he was in control of the offense. However, it was a run-heavy approach after the Levis injury and that was enough against a depleted Dolphins roster. 

One thing is certain: All eyes will be on the Titans when they release their first Week 6 injury report on Wednesday.

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Baldy Breakdown: The tale of two Titans quarterbacks

Brian Baldinger breaks down the distinct difference between Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.

Following the Tennessee Titans’ first victory of the season, NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger broke down a couple of plays that demonstrated a major difference between quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph.

Rudolph came in for the injured Levis and took control of the offense. While it wasn’t a prolific performance, he did what was needed for the Titans to pull out a much-needed win.

Head coach Brian Callahan has already stated that he is going back to Levis when healthy. When he gets back in there, it’s plays like these that Baldy has outlined that can make a huge difference to the success of the offense.

While Levis has had some shaky offensive line play during the first three weeks, that is not the case in this example and it shows that he is not decisive in the pocket. In this instance, his indecision led him to an injury instead of a turnover.

These plays outline the difference between a young quarterback and a veteran who understands defenses and where to go with the ball.

Rudolph was calm and stood in the pocket, while Levis seemed to bail on the pocket and not trust his protection. He is young and lacks the experience of Rudolph, but this simple concept is a staple of every offense across the league and it’s plays like this and that can be the difference between a win and a loss.

The Titans are on their bye week and have a chance to regroup. During the process, Levis must work on the small things. As they found out on Monday night, the small details and basic throws led to victory.

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Titans’ Rudolph humble, ready if called upon

After leading the Tennessee Titans to a 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins, QB Mason Rudoph took to the podium to share his thoughts.

After leading the Tennessee Titans to a 31-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night, QB Mason Rudolph took to the podium to speak with the media. 

Yes, Rudolph was more of a game manager after coming in for Will Levis, who injured his shoulder in the first quarter, but he did everything the Titans needed to get their first win of 2024 and the first victory for head coach Brian Callahan. To Rudolph, that accomplishment was bigger than his performance. 

“Felt great to win, always feels great to win,” Rudolph said, “To get Cally (Callahan) his first, a big one, in primetime football, it’s always great to celebrate in the locker room.” 

When the Titans signed Rudolph to back up Levis in the offseason, they got exactly what they expected: a seasoned veteran who can step in and lead the team when called upon. In this game, which was a lot closer than the final score indicated, the Titans needed a clean performance to secure their first win, and that is what they got. 

With the running game taking over in the second half, Rudolph did not have to play the hero and, in turn, did not make any critical mistake that has doomed the offense during the first three weeks of the season. He pointed this out by giving all the credit to the running backs and offensive line. 

“I thought we ran the ball really well. I didn’t do a whole lot,” he continued “we mauled them upfront, moved the ball, controlled the ball in the second half.”

The Titans’ running game complemented their stout defense, and they came out on top. This is a formula that they should be able to build upon moving forward, with or without Rudolph at the helm. 

The Titans are entering their bye week and will not return to the field until Week 6, giving Levis time to rest and heal his ailing shoulder. If healthy, he will be the starter. At least for now, the Titans know they can win with Rudolph as quarterback, and he will be ready if needed.

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