Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan lashed out prior to the Week 16 battle with the Indianapolis Colts at the idea that his team was soft. However, the play on the field didn’t back up his statements.
The Titans’ defense is soft and put on a putrid display on Sunday during the 38-30 loss. The Colts dominated the Titans’ front, accumulating a team-record 335 rushing yards in this matchup. Not only was that a Colts record, it was also the most rushing yards gained by any team in a game in 2024.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph attempted to make a valiant comeback once the game was already basically decided, but that attempt fell short and his third interception sealed the defeat.
The Titans appear to be rudderless and the season is lost. But, as always, there were both good and bad performances. Here’s a look at the players who are rising or falling in the Week 16 stock report.
Stock up: RB Tyjae Spears
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Tyjae Spears #2 of the Tennessee Titans scores a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Tyjae Spears was the catalyst for the Titans’ offense. While his numbers may not have been eye-popping, he was the engine that got things going. In all, he ran the ball 10 times for 27 yards and two touchdowns, caught three passes for 39 yards and returned two kicks for 69 yards. He made an impact in multiple facets and again looked dynamic. Too bad head coach Brian Callahan didn’t turn to him earlier in the contest, when he could have made a difference.
Stock down: RB Tony Pollard
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Tony Pollard #20 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball against Grover Stewart #90 of the Indianapolis Colts in the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Pollard is mired in a disappointing stretch and it looks like the wear and tear of the 2024 season is catching up with him. He was largely invisible against the Colts on Sunday. carrying the ball eight times for 35 yards and pulled in two passes for five yards. Pollard has been bothered by an ankle injury and it shows. He definitely isn’t the dynamic threat he was earlier in the season.
Stock Up: TE Chig Okonkwo
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo (85) makes a catch for a two-point conversion Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Okonkwo had another outstanding game. He once again made his presence known on the field, recording nine catches for 81 yards and a two-point conversion. Okonkwo was a perfect security blanket for Rudolph and feasted against a Colts team that has struggled defending the tight end position in 2024. This is now back-to-back games where he looked like a potential foundational piece for the Titans moving forward.
Stock down: QB Mason Rudolph
Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) reacts to a touchdown during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Rudolph was inserted into the line-up because quarterback Will Levis was regressing and head coach Brian Callahan wanted fewer turnovers and better decision-making. Unfortunately, Rudolph provided neither. He went 23-for-34 for 252 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. But a lot of those numbers were achieved when the Colts had a comfortable lead. This was a disappointing performance and one that should open the door to a larger question about the system and play calling. If Rudolph is making the same mistakes that Levis did, what is the real problem? Yes, the offensive line is bad, but these issues transcend quarterbacks and the line cannot be at fault for everything.
Stock up: WR Calvin Ridley
Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (0) catches a long pass that is called incomplete in front of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Ridley had a solid game with three catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. But he looked explosive and was a dynamic threat that helped open up underneath routes. He also redeemed himself in a way, as his worst performance of 2024 came in the first meeting between the teams earlier in the season when he was held without a catch. He wasn’t great, but having no real threat on the outside opposite him does take a toll and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is not a threat.
Stock down: LB Kenneth Murray Jr.
Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (56) celebrates an interception during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
It is hard to put Murray on this list because he is battling a hamstring injury and likely should not have suited up. Unfortunately, the Titans have little depth at the position (even though they did have a healthy linebacker inactive) and keeping Murray active didn’t help the cause. Not only did he miss time in-game getting treatment, he made no impact stopping the Colts rushing attack, recording just two tackles (one solo). The Titans need Murray to get healthy and right now he isn’t and that is hurting the defense.
Stock up: LB Cedric Gray
Tennessee Titans linebacker Cedric Gray (51) during the Tennessee Titans training camp at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
For a rookie who missed a big chunk of training camp and started the season on injured reserve, Gray responded when thrust into the lineup. While I’m sure his play wasn’t perfect, he led the team with 15 total tackles (six solo) and was flying around. The defense definitely doesn’t deserve a pat on the back, but Gray did show some of the skills that were attractive leading up to the NFL draft.
Stock down: K Brayden Narveson
Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (54), Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Raekwon Davis (98) and Indianapolis Colts tight end Will Mallory (86) reach in an attempt to block an extra point kick during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars/USA Today Network via Imagn Images
Narveson is who he is: a kicker with a big leg who lacks accuracy. With Nick Folk out with an abdominal injury, the Titans signed their camp-darling Narveson and he showed he was the same player the Green Bay Packers cut earlier in the season due to his struggles. Narveson made two extra points, but he missed a 53-yard field goal that could have made an impact early in the game. In the end, his miss wasn’t the reason they lost (that was the soft run defense), but it could have made a difference.
