The Tennessee Titans have been inconsistent this season. The defense has often played very well, even with fatigue playing a factor every week as injuries piled up all season. The offense, though, has been a roller coaster of success and failure. On Sunday, the Titans’ offense failed in epic fashion, turning the ball over six times en route to a 37-27 loss.
It’s clear there’s a lot of work that needs done in Tennessee, and it starts with the quarterback position, which Brian Callahan said will be evaluated this week. Even if Mason Rudolph starts this week, the offensive line is still a huge problem and Tony Pollard’s nagging injury doesn’t bode well for the run game. The last three weeks of this season will be difficult to watch.
. As we enter Week 16, here’s a look at where the Titans place in a multitude of power rankings.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 31 (NC)
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Still a chance they could tie for the best record in the AFC South … if they sweep their division rivals over the final three weeks. (Yes, it’s definitely not easy finding any silver linings here.)
Barry Werner, List Wire: 30 (28)
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The Titans forced four turnovers, with the Bengals committing six overall. Ugh. Will Levis is not the answer.
NFL Nation, ESPN: 29 (NC)
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The Titans have allowed an NFL-high 619 return yards through 15 weeks. But they’ve shown improvement recently because of the addition of veteran special teamer Justin Hardee Sr. and rookie Bryce Oliver as an impact gunner. The coverage unit has allowed only 47 and 42 return yards in the past two games. Tennessee has also gotten help from rookie linebackers James Williams and Cedric Gray. Titans coach Brian Callahan said the rookies’ contributions have earned them opportunities on offense and defense.
Alex Kennedy, Pro Football Network: 27 (25)
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Alex Kennedy, Pro Football Network:
With Sunday’s loss against the Bengals, the Titans have now lost three straight games (and eight of their last 10). Will Levis was benched for Mason Rudolph in this contest after he threw three interceptions and lost a fumble. Levis attempted just 12 passes (for 89 yards) but still managed to throw three picks.
Rudolph fared better, completing 21 of 26 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. This begs the question: will the Titans look to find Levis’ replacement in the 2025 NFL Draft?
If the season ended today, Tennessee would have the No. 6 selection, and the Titans still have a 5.6% chance of landing the No. 1 pick. With such a high pick, it’s possible Tennessee could find a new quarterback of the future
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: 30 (30)
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Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News:
The Titans had some promising upside that got wiped out earlier than expected this season. There’s too much young talent here to not be much better soon.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 31 (30)
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Will Levis had a miserable day. He had a fumble, interception and another interception in a span of eight plays. Later, he threw a pick 6 and was benched. Levis made some strides recently, but Sunday was a reminder that the Titans probably shouldn’t trust him as the 2025 starter.
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: 30 (NC)
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Diante Lee, The Ringer: 29 (NC)
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I’m not saying it’s time to cut bait and move on from Levis immediately, but it would be unconscionable for the Titans to even consider him as anything more than a physically gifted backup quarterback going forward. Levis ranks tied for fourth in interceptions thrown and is fifth in sacks taken, and he has fewer total passing yards than Dak Prescott, who hasn’t played since early November. Levis has no regard for ball security or a sense of how to manage the pocket. He needs more time to get acquainted with what you can and can’t get away with in the NFL, but his recklessness makes him unplayable at this point. It’s possible that he can turn a corner in his development down the line, but if anyone in Tennessee wants to keep their job, Levis needs some time on the bench.
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: 30 (NC)
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Is the Will Levis experiment nearing a close? After three straight games of incremental improvement, Levis crashed hard on Sunday, throwing three interceptions, including a pick-six — his fourth of the year! — that thwarted a Tennessee comeback attempt mid-third quarter. Mason Rudolph came in and more than doubled Levis’ yardage total over the final 22-plus minutes, keeping the Titans in the game despite recording a pick of his own in the red zone while behind by three scores in the early fourth. It’s going to be tough going back to Levis this season — or next, at least without adding some serious competition. Rudolph might be part of that, but the Titans also have to bring in more talent at QB. Brian Callahan was hired for his acumen with the position, and so far, we’ve not seen that pay off readily, with Tennessee losing a turnover-and-penalty-plagued game on Sunday because of their distinct disadvantage at quarterback.
