Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season had no shortage of excitement, and AFC South fans were among the main witnesses to the successes – and failures – of the weekend.
The only AFC South team to record a win on Sunday was the Houston Texans, who beat the Colts 29-27 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Tennessee Titans lost to the Chicago Bears, 24-17, at Soldier Field and the Jacksonville Jaguars fell to the Miami Dolphins by a score of 20-17 at Hard Rock Stadium. With that, the Colts are technically tied for second place in the division.
Much like the Colts, the Titans and Jaguars walked away from their season-opening loss with mixed emotions. Flashes of talent and potential on both teams were overshadowed by some crucial mistakes and, of course, a disappointing end result. There is still optimism for the future, however, among all teams in the AFC South after Week 1.
Titans played good enough defense to win, but offense couldn't back it up
Tennessee's defense was the bright spot on Sunday for Titans head coach Brian Callahan; the Titans forced punts on Chicago's first three possessions and kept consistent pressure on Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams throughout the game. The Bears recorded only 11 first downs and 148 yards on offense in the game, and Williams was 14-of-29 for 93 passing yards.
"The way we played on defense is what we expected,' Titans defensive lineman Jeffrey Simmons said postgame. "Our message was to make them earn their stripes, and they did. They scored a total of 11 points – three field goals (and two extra points). We played lights out on defense, and did a hell of a job."
The Titans' offense and special teams, however, couldn't match the energy the defense supplied, ultimately allowing Chicago to come back from a 17-0 deficit in the second half. Quarterback Will Levis had a three-turnover game – he threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown, and was sacked and stripped of the football – and finished the game 19-of-32 for 127 yards. The Titans were also 3-of-14 on third downs, often getting called for penalties that placed them in third-and-long situations.
"There was no rhythm on offense at all – I couldn't get any rhythm calling plays because of the spots we were in," Callahan said. "We couldn't get into manageable down and distances, and when we did, we couldn't do anything with it."
The Titans' offense was held scoreless in the second half and Tennessee's special teams unit also faltered, giving up a blocked punt in the third quarter that resulted in a Bears touchdown. The Titans next play the New York Jets Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Jaguars' loss to Miami a "tale of two halves"
Just like the Titans, the Jaguars scored 17 points in the first half of their season opener Sunday afternoon. And just like the Titans, the Jaguars' offense disappeared in the second half and allowed their opponents to storm back and get the win.
Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. had an impressive NFL debut, recording four receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. He connected with quarterback Trevor Lawrence for a 14-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter and helped set up another Jaguars touchdown when he forced a 40-yard interference penalty for possession to set the Jaguars up at the Dolphins' one-yard line.
"I thought he did some good things," head coach Doug Pederson said. "Game is not too big for him, and great touchdown catch obviously there in the first half and did some good things. Played tough and physical in the run game, as well."
Lawrence finished the game 12-of-21 for 162 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Running back Tank Bigsby rushed for 73 yards on 12 carries and the Jaguars outrushed the Dolphins 128-82. Jacksonville's defense also notched three sacks and allowed 400 yards on offense (317 passing yards). However, an 80-yard touchdown pass to Dolphins' wide receiver Tyreek Hill was one of the biggest plays of the day, as it brought the Dolphins within one score of tying, at 17-14 in the third quarter.
The score could have been 24-7 in favor of the Jaguars, but a fumble by running back Travis Etienne in the end zone was recovered by the Dolphins for a touchback. That next drive yielded Hill's massive touchdown. From there, the Jaguars' offense was nonexistent and the Dolphins converted two field goals to take the lead and secure the victory.
"It was just kind of a tale of two halves, really," Pederson said. "We made plays in the first half. They made plays in the second half."
"It feels terrible to be 0-1," center Mitch Morse said. "But what can you do except march on, attack the next work week, be very critical of yourself but also make it constructive?"