The Tennessee Titans fell to 4-8 on the season after a loss on Sunday to the Indianapolis Colts. And a big factor in the game was a number of mistakes by the Titans’ special teams unit.
Sunday’s game was a close one throughout, but that may not have been the case without several huge plays by the Colts on special teams.
Indianapolis was able to block two Titans punts just minutes apart from each other. The first came at the end of the third quarter, resulting in a touchdown for the Colts.
An insane sequence of football features the Colts blocking a punt for a touchdown, followed by the Titans returning an interception the length of the field for 2 points. 🏈😵💫 pic.twitter.com/bVfPmSDy2U
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 3, 2023
The second punt block came on the Titans following possession, and the Colts were able to score a field goal as a result.
It gets crazier: the Colts blocked another punt minutes later.
Titans standout punter Ryan Stonehouse was injured on the play. pic.twitter.com/KvaS1M7Qsi
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) December 3, 2023
Considering the Titans lost by just three points in overtime, it is certainly fair to argue that their special teams blunders were the driving force in them losing the game.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel appears to feel that way, resulting in him announcing that the team has fired special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman.
#Titans ST coordinator Craig Aukerman has been relieved of his duties, per HC Mike Vrabel.
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 4, 2023
Considering the frustrating season thus far for the Titans and the nature of these mistakes, it seems like it was a move that needed to be made.
If things don’t change we could see even more changes on this coaching staff before the end of the season. They will look to get back on track in Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins.
