NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- From the first play -- a head-scratcher of a failed onside kick -- the Tennessee Titans didn't have enough to keep up with the Oakland Raiders in Sunday's battle of AFC division favorites.
The Titans' performance Sunday didn't scream lack of preparation or talent. It felt like a talented team still searching for its identity. They spent the entire offseason upgrading receiving weapons, and the smash-mouth running attack felt forgotten. Red zone struggles, including settling for two field goals inside the Raiders' 10-yard line, made the difference. The Raiders outlasted them 26-16.
Marcus Mariota had a decent yet unspectacular return to regular-season action, finishing 25-of-41 with 256 passing yards. He showed his dangerous legs (three rushes for 25 yards and a touchdown) and ability to make improvised plays on the move. But the third-year quarterback also reminded us of his bouts of inaccuracy when his footwork is off and how he won't consistently carry a team when the running game struggles. DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry combined for 18 carries and 69 yards.
Tennessee's defense struggled with tackling, and coverage lapses showed the secondary is still a question mark. The Titans' pass rush didn't get much consistent pressure on Derek Carr, making just two sacks, which came on back-to-back plays. This unit played OK, but it failed to notch a turnover or stop when its team needed it the most, particularly late in the fourth quarter.
It's just one loss, and with the uncertainty of the AFC South there's no reason for concern just yet. But finding an identity won't come overnight.
What it means: The Titans will need to figure out how to re-establish their running game as the center of their offense. Murray, Henry and the Titans' offensive line are too talented to be used as a secondary piece in an evolving offense. The Titans lost their third straight matchup to the Raiders in Nashville in as many years. The Titans can't truly be considered a contender until they beat them. This was a missed opportunity.
What I liked: Corey Davis is going to be a special weapon in the offense. He was limited in his NFL debut Sunday coming off a hamstring injury that cost him the entire preseason, but he still impressed with six catches for 69 yards including a nice 23-yard catch down the right sideline. Mariota also showed he was back from injury and isn't afraid to get hit or run.
What I didn’t like: Too often the Titans cornerbacks were pushed around. Yes, Tennessee was down starting cornerback LeShaun Sims but the size of their cornerbacks could be a season-long problem. Adoree' Jackson was picked on often by Derek Carr with up-and-down results. I like that Jackson battled, but he may have some limitations that won't go away even with growth. Red zone execution was a big problem and the onside kick wasn't a good decision.
"[We] wanted to start the game with the ball," Titans coach Mike Mularkey said, before confirming he doesn't second guess himself on the decision. "We could have had the ball at the 50 with a pretty potent offense if we executed the onside kick."
Fantasy fallout: Mariota's running touchdown and decent yards total salvaged his day, but no passing touchdowns hurt his overall upside. Murray owners may be a little concerned with his 44 yards and it may be smart to temper his expectations until we see what identity the Titans want to form. Davis is the big winner. If he's available, pick him up in your league. Now.
What’s next: The Titans are scheduled to play at Jacksonville, which could be a prime chance to fix many of their woes. The Jaguars are coming off a strong victory over Houston, but this is a team Tennessee should sweep if it is to be a true AFC contender.