Overreaction or Real Concern? Breaking Down the Titans' Loss

By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

The week following the openers of the NFL season is frequently full of overreaction. It’s easy to take this first result and project it forward as a fair representation of exactly what you will continue to see from each team for the remainder of the season.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, right, breaks up a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) — *Jaylon Johnson breaks up a pass for Calvin Ridley/ ASSOCIATED PRESS*

However, as we all know well by now, that’s simply not how the NFL works. In the lede to last week’s column, I mentioned a couple of examples of this from recent Titans history and Amani Hooker referenced the 2021 blowout loss at home to the Cardinals in his press conference Monday.

Amani Hooker said Sunday’s loss kind of reminded him of 2021 opener, a 38-13 home loss to Cardinals. #Titans pic.twitter.com/bGXNJ2q4lI
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 9, 2024

Of course, that 2021 Titans team proceeded to reel off a 12-5 record and earn the one seed in the AFC. The Cardinals

Login or signup to view the full article

Membership includes access to everything on the site – articles, videos and podcasts as well as additional analysis from Mike Herndon and Blake Beddingfield. You’ll be notified of private broadcast sessions, have a spot on a private Facebook page where we can discuss everything, get priority placement in mailbag posts and enjoy a 5 percent discount from Tennessee Tickets.