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Six things the Titans noticed in their loss to the Packers on Sunday

NASHVILLE – The Titans lost 30-14 to the Green Bay Packers at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.

Here's a look at six things that stood out in the competition.

I'll write about quarterback Will Levis in the next paragraph, but I'll start with the fact that he was under pressure for most of the game on Sunday. Levis was sacked eight times by the Packers on a day when he didn't have much time to throw. Sure, it looked like Levis could have gotten rid of the ball earlier on some plays, but the overall defense let him down on Sunday. Nicholas Petit-Frere allowed his man to get past him and sack Levis, leading to a fumble — and a turnover — in the third quarter just when it looked like the Titans might be able to get back in the game. Petit-Frere was benched at right tackle in favor of Jaelyn Duncan. We'll see what the team does at that position going forward. This much is certain: If the Titans can't protect their quarterback better than they did on Sunday, it's going to be a long season. Levis has now been sacked 15 times in three games.

Levis and the Titans continue to make it easier on their opponents. Levis lost the ball three times on Sunday and has now lost it eight times in three games this season (five interceptions, three fumbles). His pick-6 on Sunday was his second pick-6 of the season. Levis' eight turnovers are the most by any quarterback in his team's first three games. Levis had some good moments on Sunday – his opening drive was beautiful and he led another beautiful drive in the third quarter. On the day, he completed 26 of 34 passes for 260 yards with two touchdowns and a 92.8 rating. But the good moments were overshadowed by the turnovers and his sack, so it's hard to get very excited.

Third-down defense, poor tackling

Looking at the final numbers, Tennessee's third-down defense doesn't look all that bad — the Packers went 5-of-14 in the game (35.7%), and that's not bad. But that's also a little misleading, because when the Packers took control of the game early, they converted third downs (and some long ones) while charging forward and never looking back. The Packers converted 5-of-8 (62.5%) on third downs in the first half, with long runs and throws from quarterback Malik Willis. When the Titans needed stops early to change momentum, they couldn't. It was all part of a frustrating day for the Tennessee defense, which also didn't tackle very well.

I feel like I need to mention at least something positive here, so I'll give a shout out to receiver DeAndre Hopkins. After being limited in the team's first two games, Hopkins played more against the Packers and performed well. Hopkins caught his 11-yard touchdown pass near the goal line and at one point it seemed like every big play was made by him. Hopkins was targeted seven times in the game and caught six passes for 73 yards. Unfortunately for the Titans, there weren't many plays around him.

Defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons was assessed another costly penalty on Sunday that ultimately cost the team a touchdown. It came in the third quarter when Packers kicker Brayden Narveson missed a 46-yard field goal pass. On that play, however, Simmons was called for defensive holding. That led to a first down for the Packers, and two plays later, Willis connected with Emanuel Wilson for a 30-yard touchdown. So instead of trailing 20-7 midway through the third quarter with the ball at their own 36-yard line, the Titans were now trailing 27-7. It was too big a hole to climb out of.

If I were to list six things that stood out in the game, I have to mention Malik Willis and his performance against the Titans. Willis, who was traded to the Packers last month, completed 13 of 19 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in the game while rushing for 73 yards on six carries and scoring a touchdown. Willis frustrated the Titans with some of his runs and hurt them with some of his accurate throws. There were a lot of frustrating things for the Titans in Sunday's game against the Packers. Being unable to stop a player the team knows so well has to be among the biggest frustrations of the team trailing after its third loss of the season.

By Vanessa

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