That loss was the first time a team with the best record in the conference lost to the team with the worst record since 1979, when the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“We just have to get back to the fundamentals and the basics,” Byard said.
Dupree returned to the field Sunday against the Steelers and had one of the team’s three sacks, but Tennessee still failed to come up victorious.
It seems that on this team, the defense has to create more opportunities for the struggling offense to get the ball into the red zone.
“I told the team the ball is not round, we don’t know which way it is going to bounce,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said.
“At the end of the day, just have to be smart with the ball and put it in a good spot,” Tannehill said.
The issues extend beyond just the turnovers.
The acquisition of All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones was supposed to offset losing Davis.
The offense has also suffered with the loss of running back Derrick Henry, who was leading the NFL in rushing when he fractured a foot in Tennessee’s 34-31 Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
This week, the Titans face the red-hot San Francisco 49ers — who have won five of their past six — on Thursday at Nissan Stadium.
“They want to play bully ball and run the ball down people’s throat,” Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons said.