JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
(On what it means to get a win in Nashville and close the game strong with a 10-0 run) “It
feels great to get back in the win column. It’s been a while. Hats off to the players. They
battled their tails off. Defense fought all day and kept us in the football game. Came up big
with some PBUs and obviously there at the end. Offense, we got a slow start, but we gained
momentum as the game went on. Proud of the guys for 10 points in the fourth quarter and
for finishing the game that way. Hats off to those guys. They battled their tails off. You can
see all of my excitement right here.”
(On the reaction in the locker room) “It’s excited, sort of a relief. It’s the excitement, it’s the
joy of the work that you put in and you’re finally rewarded for a win. Again, just so happy for
the players, the coaches, just hanging in there battling their tails off. Tennessee, that’s a
good football team too. They do some really good things. I’m just excited and happy for our
guys.”
(On the defense keeping the team in the game and CB Jarrian Jones posting two break ups
and a sack) “I thought in Jarrian’s (Jones) case, just played really well down the stretch
here in this game and you talked about the couple of pass breakups and that sack was a
thing of beauty, how he can bend and get around that edge and get (Titans QB) Will Levis on
the ground. I thought he did a really good job, and he just continues to get better each
week. He works extremely hard. So, a lot of good things about Jarrian.”
(On how the team got WR Brian Thomas going in the third quarter) “We tried earlier in the
game to do some things that way. Tennessee took a couple of those options away and we
didn’t get into a rhythm. But it’s what we got to do, right? We got to get Brian (Thomas)
involved. And he’s such a dynamic young, first-year receiver that is a great player. He’s
going to be going to be a really good player in this league. And for he and (QB) Mac (Jones)
to make that play, it’s kind of broken-play scramble that really got us down there. And I
think that is where we scored the touchdown on that drive. Just a great awareness by those
two. But B. T. is just a solid player that continues to improve each week.”
(On what he saw from QB Mac Jones’s start) “That’s one thing about Mac he just sticks to
it. He grinds it out. He’s right there with all the guys. The way he led our team. And really,
there was no panic, right? Nobody pointing the finger or anything. It’s we just had to tighten
some things up and make a few subtle adjustments for him to lead us down there and get
those 10 points, I thought. And then we had an opportunity before the half, in the two-
minute drive before half, we’re in a position. We just really we had a penalty, a sack there,
knocked us out of field goal range. He did some good things today and things that we can
continue to build on.”
(On how impressive DE Travon Walker’s tackle there on the first goal-line stand) “That’s
Travon (Walker). I thought today guys like Trayvon, Jarrion (Jone), Mac (Jone), you guys were
talking about B.T. (Brian Thomas), (RB) Tank (Bigsby), I mean all these guys, every one of
them, it’s just the consistency and just continuing to do their job. And that’s what we’ve
asked them to do and on that particular play, Trayvon just did an outstanding job just
making a play. And obviously the fourth-and-goal late in the game, to come up empty
there, hats off to the defense for just the execution.”
(On how QB Mac Jones must feel getting his first win for his hometown team) “I think you
have to ask him, but I know he’s going to be excited. I’m excited for him to really lead our
football team. And now he knows, too, moving forward that he’s going to be out there, he’s
going to be the guy. The second half of last week to this week, just some things that we can
continue to build, and he can build upon but excited for him obviously getting that first
win.”
(On why OL Anton Harrison was inactive today) “Illness. A little bit last night and then all
day this morning when he woke up. I mean, sick, illness.”
(On how OL Cole Van Lanen play as Harrison’s backup) “I thought for someone who woke
up thinking he was going to be a backup to starting, I thought he played really well today.
We’ll take a look at the tape, obviously make some corrections. But I thought he played
physical, he played good for being a backup to a starter within a matter of hours.”
(On if he wondered how the guys would respond to losing so many starters) “You’re always
wondering how they’re going to respond, but look, I’ve been around these guys all season
and sure nobody knows the outcome of the game, right, until you play the game. But I know
how these guys prepare during the week, and I know how they work during the week so
that’s what gives you the hope that, ‘Hey, we’re going to go out and we’re going to get the
job done, right? And we’re going to we’re going to play well to do it, whatever it takes.’ When
you’re playing Tennessee, it’s never an easy game. I mean, it’s a game that’s always tough.
It’s physical. It’s a battle. And I’m just so happy for the players and for the work that they’ve
put into to finally get rewarded.”
JAGUARS QUARTERBACK MAC JONES
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
Mac (Jones) could you talk about just the satisfaction of your first win for your
hometown team, at a bitter rival’s home field?
Yeah, I think, it’s just a great example of sticking with it, and the defense really giving us a
chance throughout the game, and the offensive line, Cole (Van Lanen) for stepping in there,
first start. So, just all that stuff was really good. Thought the guys responded and we didn’t
quit this time, which is really important for us moving forward. There was no quit.
Could you talk a little bit about, I don’t know how much more satisfaction you get from
a play that works exactly as scripted or a play that breaks down and you end up
making something out of it. Could you talk about that play and the throw to Brian
(Thomas Jr.)?
Yeah, I think it was just a great job by him. We talked about it in scramble rules and stuff
and I kind of got stuck on one of my reads and had to evade—really was a good pocket so I
could have just stood in there and threw it, but I kind of made it harder than it needed to be.
But it was a great job of him just catching it and he had another explosive play before that
on the deep crosser. So, it was really, just had to get him going and I appreciate him for
staying patient. Sometimes, I definitely feel like I could have gotten him the ball earlier to
get him going, just a couple touches. He was definitely open so I’m sure I’ll watch it and
see that.
But did you, you said you made it harder than it needed to be, but you did get out on
the left side, I mean that’s what created it.
For sure, yeah. I have to watch it. I just kind of speak off instinct and it’s definitely
something I’ve worked on. So, I’m gonna continue to grow in that area and at the end of the
day, like I said our defense gave us a chance to be in that position and at the end of the day
our best player made a good play.
You get thrust into this position here obviously an unfortunate incident with Trevor
(Lawrence). But this is a start, this is your team so everything that’s happened to you
before in your NFL career, how does this weigh on you, is it a relief is it a…?
Yeah. I mean I know it’s really hard to win in the NFL and I’ve learned that the hard way. I’ve
always followed that mantra of just a win’s a win. And you can play really well and lose and
play not so good and win. It just takes that one or two plays each game. So, I told the young
guys that and that’s the learning lesson here. I feel like we played with a little bit more swag
today and I know we’re going to continue to do that, offense, defense, special teams, we’re
not gonna be scared. So, we just got to keep that going.
(Brian) Thomas with a career high in targets, 11, I believe it was. Was there an intention
to give him the ball?
Yeah, I think just as the game went on, he did a good job getting open. He was open all
game, but I just had to get him the ball earlier and let him settle in. As a rookie, I’ve been
there, you want to get some catches, get going, feeling good and all the other guys too like
they’re making plays, and running backs and Tank (Bigsby) on that touchdown and stuff.
So, we just got to find a way to be a little bit more consistent. But like I said, we didn’t roll
over and quit this time and that’s important.
Tough first half obviously, how did you guys not let that affect you?
Yeah, for sure, great question. I mean, I’ve been there a lot of times. I’ve played not so great
in the first half and kind of let it affect the next half. I told the guys, and I told myself that I’m
not letting that happen today. And we kind of just went out there and responded and it all
comes down to communication. I think sometimes you’re not talking with the guys, stuffs
not going good, you just got to keep pushing and play each play, one play at a time and they
definitely responded. So, I definitely got to watch it and get better, but at the end of the day,
that’s the NFL.
You went to Brian (Thomas Jr.) on three straight plays on the right side, two sideline
and the other one where he went in motion to the right side. I mean is that just an
example of why he is the best player because, you don’t usually go to the same guy on
three straight times on the same side of the field?
Yeah, and they were doing, as always, the defense is going to do things that take him away.
But he still found a way to get open and we had time with the offensive line. I thought they
did a great job, I don’t think, maybe it was one sack, I don’t know, but something like that.
So that’s really good. As a quarterback you feel good back there, against a really good
defense, a well-coached defense that we’ll play again here soon.
Could you talk a little bit about, you know whether it’s relief or you got a monkey off
your back to be able to get the first win for your hometown team?
Yeah, for sure, I mean, as I said it’s– I remember, when I was a younger player, when we
would win maybe I didn’t play as good or whatever and I wasn’t as happy. But once you win
in this league it’s amazing, it’s just a great feeling and you want to do it again. So, one win is
not going to define anybody, one loss isn’t going to define anybody. So, you just got to keep
moving forward and like I said, play with the swag that we did today.
JAGUARS RUNNING BACK TANK BIGSBY
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
In a game like this, you get to 55 yards and, obviously, the game winning touchdown.
What does that mean to be a part of that effort after a couple of weeks of some
lackluster stats?
It’s a blessing to be out there on the field. First, I want to thank God. But, it started off slow
as an offense. As a player, you want to get going as a runner and get the offense going and
just be a key factor for the offense. We started off a little slow – two yards, one yard – but
we have to stay with it and have faith in that in the run game and I feel like we did that. We
stayed with it, Coach stayed with it. When opportunities came for big plays and big runs,
we executed on it.
Is there any adjustment for you as a running back between Trevor Lawrence and
having Mac Jones under center at all?
No, not that I know of. I’m just out here doing my job. Whenever they give me an
opportunity, I try to take full advantage of it.
How big was the fourth-and-one run for you guys?
It was very big. I feel like that set the tone, and just getting that and getting some points on
the board. It was very, very good.
And then just to finish, you know, seems like what you guys have been lacking, right?
The big play on third down to Brian [Thomas Jr.] and then you finishing that drive. I
mean, is that what you guys have been missing in the critical spot?
Yeah, I feel like me, Brian [Thomas, Jr.], and all the guys on the team, when we get
opportunities to make plays and be in position, that’s what we do. Thank God for Brian.
Thank God that my teammates and all my brothers, coaches. It just feels so good to win.
Y’all just don’t know. It’s a blessing.
Yeah, I was going to say, is it hard to describe? I mean, what what is that sense like
you haven’t had that in six, seven weeks?
I forgot how it feels. I forgot how it feels. It’s a great feeling. I saw it on Coach’s face, he was
so excited. I saw it on the players’ faces. It’s just a good feeling to see everybody happy. We
work so hard and it’s an amazing opportunity.
JAGUARS CORNERBACK JARRIAN JONES
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
You guys had to go back out there at the end of the game, what was said in the huddle
that you guys talked about before you went out there?
Go finish the game. They don’t score, they don’t win. That is what was going through our
head and we got the job done.
The way the season has gone, does it feel good to get a gritty win? To fight through
everything you guys had to fight through to get this? Does it make it more satisfying?
Blowing them out would have made it a lot more satisfying. But anytime you can get a win
is a win. Gritty win. Hard fought win. We needed that.
Are you feeling more and more comfortable as the season goes on? Certainly, looks
like your play is flashing a lot more.
Obviously in your rookie year, your first couple of games you’re feeling it out, you get what
I’m saying? Getting used to game speed. I would say after week four or week five, I kind of
settle into myself. I figured out how I needed to prepare and adjusted to how I did in college
to the NFL. And it just kind of took off from there.
JAGUARS WIDE RECEIVER BRIAN THOMAS JR.
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
Brian, how nice does it feel to get one?
It feels great to finally get one. It’s a great feeling to finally get a win.
You guys have turned it up a little bit in the fourth quarter the last couple of weeks. Do
you feel like you got into a rhythm today in that last quarter?
I feel like we were able to finally sustain a drive and get something going. That’s all it takes
for us is to sustain a drive. I feel like when we sustain drives, good things come to us.
How tough was it because of the field position today? Most of the first three quarters
you guys were starting deep in your own end.
We just have to execute on the little things. Field position or not you just have to go out and
execute on the little things and just do what you are supposed to do. Go out there and do
your one of eleven.
You had a big third down play as Mac (Jones) was out of the pocket and you get free.
What happened on that play?
I had a little flat route. The defensive end lost me, so I kind of split behind him. Mac (Jones)
see me and threw a good ball and I was able to get the first.
Are those the kind of plays you guys have been missing?
Yeah, for sure. Coach Chad (Hall) was just saying that the whole week we were going to get
one of those big plays and you just got to be ready for it when it comes in the game.
What’s it like when you get into a rhythm individually? I think you went 18 plays and
had eight catches.
It just gets us going. It gets everybody going. It’s the little boost that we need to go out there
and be the best that we can be. Gives the whole offense a boost and gives the whole team
a little boost.
Closing in on that rookie record for Jacksonville. Does it mean something to you?
Yeah. Each step closer I get it means a lot more to me. I just want to come out here and
focus on being the best that I can be. I don’t want to try to focus in on that. I want to be the
best that I can be.
JAGUARS CENTER MITCH MORSE
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
What was the key to closing the game so strong? 10-0 run there to win the game.
I think we just executed when we needed to. And I thought Mac (Jones) led a fiery huddle,
you know, in a good way. Very constructive but very commanding, which we appreciate.
And we just finally converted a few things, and we’ll have to continue to do that.
What kind of growth are you seeing out of Brian Thomas?
He’s got such a bright future in this league and I’m just glad I get to be a part of that little
footprint that he’s going to have in this league for a very long time.
What does it mean to score the way you guys have in the fourth quarter the last couple
of weeks, to keep building and finish at that time of the game?
I think it gave us an opportunity to win the football game this week. And like I said before,
our defense just did a fantastic job of keeping us in it. For us, it’ll be trying to find a way to
start faster. It’s not a one-man thing. There’s a bunch of people. Everyone’s got their
moments, I know I’ve had my moments a few times, and we’ll just see what we can do and
try to compound a few wins.
Were you guys better than maybe the scoreboard indicated? You were starting on your
own two, your 11, 18.
I mean, that’s part of the gig. Not to be a company man, but wherever you are, it’s your job
as a football player to get yourself in position to either flip the field or to end up with points.
But I guess, like, did it feel like you were doing more good things? And maybe because
you were doing that, you were getting out to midfield, you were flipping the field?
Yeah, I think that’s what you want. First of all, you want to flip the field if you can and then
end up with points and burn some time off the clock and just take a little pressure off that
punt. We saw the one where we didn’t, that was a really good job by that punt block team.
So, when we have an opportunity to close out a game in the fourth quarter, we got to do
that to not put too much stress on the other guys. We’re going to enjoy this and learn what
we can from our mistakes and push forward.
When the season’s gone the way it has and you gut out a win like this, it’s got to be one
of the grittier wins they’ve had here, does that make it more satisfying?
I mean, it would’ve been nicer to win by 30, but that’s a rarity in this league, and especially
against a good team like the Titans. Yeah, I think there’s definitely a good feeling to win and
especially the way we did it.
Doug Pederson talked about how this is just another example of the resiliency in this
locker room. I mean, there’s always people wondering, you know, have they quit? Has
Doug lost the locker room? You know what I mean?
No, for sure. Yeah, it’s our job as professionals to march forward. I thought we’ve done a
good job of that. It’ll be our onus, and an opportunity for us to continue to do that. Thank
you.
JAGUARS TIGHT END BRENTON STRANGE
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
How fun was it coming in here to get a chance to celebrate a victory with your
teammates?
Man, it’s been a long time, it’s been a real long time. So, we’re excited. We’re going to enjoy
the moment and then when tomorrow comes around, we’ll get ready for the next team.
Brenton, what does Evan [Engram] mean to you and what have you learned from him?
He’s meant the most to me. I came in probably just not knowing a lot, not knowing the
game and he’s taught me a lot. We sit down on the plane rides, and we always watch film
together. So, he’s a big brother to me and I appreciate him for everything, and I can’t wait
for the future has for both of us.
TITANS HEAD COACH BRIAN CALLAHAN
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
Okay. Lot of positive things, disappointed in the outcome. But our defense played their
tails off today. I thought we recovered well on special teams. They were challenged to not
let them start outside the 30, we never let them do that. We played great run defense for
most of the game, and at the end of the day we needed to score in the red zone. We were
O-for-two down there and that’s the difference in a tight ballgame in a divisional game and
that’s—you got to score touchdowns down there and we didn’t. So, we’re O-for-two and
that’s the difference in the ballgame. Again, I thought there was a lot of positive things. We
put ourselves in position and didn’t execute when we had to have it the most, which is
down there tight. Again, I’m disappointed in the outcome, certainly. But at the end of the
day, we didn’t do enough to win again. So go ahead.
You didn’t score a touchdown against arguably the worst team in the league. A lot of
positive things is the first thing you take from that?
I wasn’t talking about the touchdowns. We need to score touchdowns in the red zone,
certainly. Didn’t do enough good (stuff) on offense to be able to score points and we lost
the game. So yeah, there’s positive things to point out, but ultimately we didn’t score
enough points to win. So, it is what it is.
What do you mainly attribute offensively—So much progress for this group over the
last month or whatever, and then against one of the worst defenses, it feels like it all
went away.
Yeah. I don’t know. I’ll have to watch the film, I’ll get back to you.
First red zone situation, did Will Levis not see Chig Okonkwo?
Yeah, he missed him, Chig (Okonkwo) was open. He missed—he didn’t get his eyes down
to Chig. So yeah, we had a shot, we had a guy open. So, didn’t convert.
You had a great degree of run success early in the game. Why didn’t you try to run
down there in that first red zone series?
We did run some. I can’t remember the exact play selection, but we had the runs that
scored, we scored on one and got called for a hold and got called back and punched us
out. But yeah, I mean, we ran the ball a bunch in that possession in the red zone down
inside there. So got down to the two and had a guy wide open in the end zone. I don’t regret
the play selection.
Do you think Will Levis had any limitations in the second half after the shoulder?
Todd (Toriscelli) said he was good to go, Will (Levis) said he was good to go and didn’t feel
like there was anything there from an injury perspective.
I know you’ve in the past talked about the risk versus reward on a play like that to end
the half or whatnot. Yeah. What was the thought process?
That was the risk. We weren’t throwing a Hail Mary. We were trying to get a block play set
up to see if we could get the ball and do something. I felt like we had gotten the momentum
with the interception so we tried to see if we can’t get the ball in the hands with some
blockers out front. But it takes a second to get down the field enough to make it count. So,
it’s a play we ran against Buffalo, to be honest. The same one we had. Gives you a chance
to get down there one-on-one and get guys blocked and see if you can’t punch it in and just
felt like we—to just intercept the ball and take a knee was not the right thing. And we didn’t
block the left side the way we needed to and took a shot. So those things happened. But
that’s the balance that I have to work through when you’re calling one play with four or five
seconds left on how aggressive you want to be. And I thought with the turnover—to see if
we couldn’t get the ball in somebody’s hand and see what could happen.
In your last series down by the end zone, did Calvin (Ridley) have a good enough sense
of where he was with the marker? Could he have tried to plant a foot there and turn up
field?
Yeah, it got extended a bit because there was a guy in the window. But we got the ball to
him with space and then felt like we had a chance to convert that. And from where I was
standing, I thought we had it. And then he sort of ended up on the boundary. I would have
liked to have seen that turn up. I thought we had a shot for a first down there.
Did Calvin Ridley say anything about why he wasn’t able to get up field?
No, I haven’t talked to him yet.
The run game was pretty effective, which normally would make you think play action
and explosive plays would be the add-on result of that. But why were you able to hit
any explosives?
We had a few. We had some off the run action. Called a couple more that got called into
two-high shells and got covered. It wasn’t for lack of intent. Sometimes you have them and
sometimes you don’t. We hit a couple. That’s just how it goes sometimes.
Did you think Nick Westbrook-Ikhine could have made the catch on the play after
Calvin’s play?
I think that would have been a tough catch. I mean, again, we try if it hit his hands, you gave
him a chance. And then Will (Levis) said that was the first time all day that the ball had
gotten a little slick, kind of slipped out so he didn’t have full control of it. But yeah, I think it
had a chance. I’m not going to say that without really seeing it again, how close it was or
wasn’t. But he put the ball up in a spot where we can try to go get it.
What’s your message to the team after one like this?
Yeah, it’s hard. You got to keep going. They played their ass off. They did everything in a lot
of areas that was asked of them, and we didn’t score enough points. In a tight division
game, which all these games are tight, it doesn’t matter what the records are when you
play in the division. We had a chance with two possessions in red zone and came away
with no points, and that’s ultimately the difference in a game that you got to score.
Especially a limited possession game and the way it was playing out, didn’t have an
opportunity to win the game. But again, there’s a lot of other things that were good, but no
one gives a (crap) anyway. So, we got to find a way to score more points.
We talked about the red zone a lot in this game. But are you surprised with how
difficult it’s been for you guys on a regular basis?
Yeah. We also scored down there once and then got called back and then we had a wide-
open guy again, should have scored. But that’s the way it is. It’s hard down there. It’s tough
defenses. It’s not a lot of space. I would expect that we could be better than we’ve done.
Are you disputing the penalty that called back that touchdown?
I couldn’t see it from where I was at. Didn’t seem like it was a real egregious call. But they
called it and we got to keep our hands inside and don’t hold and the ball should have been
in there for six.
Do you think you guys have seen the right mentality in the red zone? Do you think the
lows are weighing on them?
I don’t know. I think we have the right mentality a lot of the time everywhere, and to not
come away with a win and not come away with points is disappointing, certainly.
Is there anything that you want to preach to the team going forward? You guys are the
most penalized team in the NFL, and it seems like those calls are a detriment to
momentum.
Yeah, they’re killer. We coach it and talk about it all the time. It is what it is. Penalties
happen. We only had, I think, four or five today, which was improved. But yeah, those
things got to get cleaned up. And we’ve stalled drives because of it on offense, we’ve given
up conversions on third down on defense. Not today necessarily, but just in general, yeah.
Those penalties got to get cleaned up and we’re working like hell to get them cleaned up.
TITANS QUARTERBACK WILL LEVIS
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
If that was the correct route, does Calvin (Ridley) have the responsibility to turn that
up a little bit more?
It’s a flat route, and I mean he was coming from the back side coasting. They clouded it, so
I saw the cloud corner and then he retraced back to the corner, so I just got it to him late.
You don’t love throwing those into cloud, but sometimes that happens, and it was just a
late response. But I can maybe get it to him earlier and he can turn up field. But it sucks
that we were that close but couldn’t get it done on fourth down either.
How much did it hurt to lose and especially with some of the missed opportunities on
offense?
It sucks. Got to be better in the red zone. I feel like I played one of my cleanest games all
year except for two plays where we could have scored on both of them.
Speaking of that, Chig (Okonkwo), did you not see him?
I saw Nick (Vannett) first. He flashed, I thought he had to step on him and if I would have
continued on, I would see Chig (Okonkwo). Vut yeah, it sucks to see someone wide open
and right after you release the ball.
Did you have any limitations after getting hit in the first half?
Yeah. I have a sprained AC joint, so I mean, I’ve been playing through it all year and I made
it worse through that hit. Shot it up, played through it. Still able to play, but not fun.
Were there any limitations after coming out in the first part of the second half?
I mean, I was just going to be more cautious with just throwing the ball away and not trying
to extend plays and not putting myself in harm’s way or trying to take any hits. So that was
really the only thing—I knew I could still make the throws, but yeah, just try to be a little
more careful.
What was the general frustration around the team after this one? Seemed like this one
maybe worse than some others in terms of just letting one get away.
Yeah, I mean, it sucks. It’s one that we definitely feel like we should have won, could have
won and had opportunities to win. So not fun. After a loss like this, it’s important to just
stay together and make sure everyone remains on the mission. But this one definitely
stings.
Brian Callahan was mentioning that you had said that the ball kind of slid off your
fingers?
Yeah, I mean, that was the only throw all day that wasn’t a tight spiral. And you could see it
on the film. But sometimes that (stuff) happens, and rain comes down and it affects the
throw. And of course, it happens on the most part important play of the game.
How much does it fluster you to have the momentum of having played well the last
four games in the offense, building some things and then kind of have it fall apart
today?
Yeah, like I said, I feel like I still played a clean game other than those two plays and it
makes the stat sheet look a lot better if you make those two plays though. We as an
offense, we felt like we were getting everything we wanted with them. We were moving the
ball and just getting stalled on third downs versus some good defense and they played
some sticky coverage and was able to match our guys pretty well. But to not score a
touchdown in a game where we felt like we were able to move the ball at least the whole
game is frustrating.
On keeping guys together to your point about the rest of the season, how do you as the
quarterback go about that?
Just being the same person. Not trying to bring any sort of panic or on the flip side, don’t try
to be too positive about everything—everyone’s got to know about what we got to get done
and get fixed to get this ship sailing in the right direction. So, I’m just going to do my job to
lead by example and do what I can to lean into guys to get the same out of them.
TITANS WIDE RECEIVER NICK WESTBROOK-IKHINE
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
How tough was it to come up just short on making a tough catch?
Yeah. I mean, it’s really disappointing. Essentially, I didn’t just let myself down, I let my
teammates down, fans down, Will (Levis) down, organization down really what it is. But it
doesn’t define me. I know it doesn’t. It’s unfortunate. It really is. I really did want to come
down with that pass obviously, I mean, everybody does. And yeah, I’ve been thinking about
it, but that’s just life, that’s football sometimes it’s just that close. There’s no excuses for it,
anything like that. I know it’s a play I can make. It’s not an easy catch, but it’s also not an
impossible to catch either. So, yeah, just got to live with it, take it on the chin and keep
going.
Tough day offensively. You guys moved the ball between the 20s and weren’t able to
cash in for touchdowns. How tough is it to deal with a day like today?
Yeah, I mean, that’s the difference in the game. Not scoring those touchdowns in the red
zone, that’s the difference in the game. I feel like that’s something we’ve been pretty good
at in the past. And so, yeah, it’s tough. It’s definitely I’d say the difference is not being able
to get seven.
They do anything different once you guys reach the red zone, especially the high red
zone? Was it just execution?
Yeah. I mean, I’ll have to watch the film. I feel like it was just partly like execution details,
stuff like that. I mean, I catch that pass, we’re not having this conversation. So yeah, I
mean, I think it was execution. I don’t think it was scheme or plan or anything like that. I
take responsibility on my end for not brining it down.
Obviously, the record is what it is, but you still have a month left to play. What has to
be the mentality for you guys going forward with this last stretch of games here?
Yeah, sticking together. We got to do this together and it’s really just who you are as a man,
just cutting it loose. I mean, it’s a gift that we get to play this game regardless of,
postseason, any of that kind of stuff. It’s a gift to be able to play this game. It’s a blessing
and honor that gift, honor that blessing, and don’t take it for granted because it could go at
any moment.
Facing the 32nd
-ranked defense and come away with six points, how shockingly
frustrating is that at the end of the day?
Yeah, it’s extremely. I feel like we could have taken advantage of them a little bit more and
we were. We were moving the ball. We just didn’t get the points down in the red zone that
we needed to win the game.
TITANS LINEBACKER OTIS REESE IV
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
The first half of the game, they were finding it difficult to kind of get things going and
seemed like the last couple of drives, they got a few things going. What were they
doing differently to kind of put you all in difficult situations?
Of course, as the game goes on, they start to scheme things up. They start to see the things
we’re doing in the first half and make different adjustments. So, man, we just got to do a
better job of just playing disciplined and knowing when they start to pick up on things. And
like I said, it’s bound to happen, you know what I’m saying? They’re professional, too.
They’re going to see what we did in the first half and they’re going to adjust.
As far as your preparation with Kenneth Murray Jr. and certain other guys out and then
you having to be thrust to a starting situation, how did you prepare for that and what
was your preparation for this game coming in?
I’m always preparing like I’m the starter. I’m always preparing like I’m going to play because
I know what type of player I am, I know who I am. In this profession, you got to prepare like
you’re the starter, you never know what will happen.
Is there a challenge maybe between you and Luke Gifford filling into that linebacker
role, especially in the pass game? Was there any challenges in filling in that role?
No challenges. I can’t speak for him, but I’ll just say for me, getting that experience getting
that feel for the game, things starting to slow down. So he got his first game under his belt, I
got my first game under my belt. So there’s things we could be weighed right at now, we’re
getting a feel for the game actually being in it. Because it’s different when you’re out there
playing.
Obviously a tough loss. How do you kind of build and kind of move forward to the next
one, which is versus Cincinnati?
Next play mentality. Next week, man. This is the NFL, you can’t be stuck on what
happened, either good or bad. You got to get ready to play the next week, man. It’s the NFL.
TITANS TIGHT END CHIG OKONKWO
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
How tough was it not to come up with the big play to get over the hump down the
stretch?
Yeah. I mean, in those situations, that’s when you need your playmakers to step up and
somebody just has to make a play. I feel like sometimes at the times of today we had those
plays being made. And then again, we may have some mistakes that cost us where we
shoot ourselves in the foot and we would go back and lose those yards.
TITANS WIDE RECEIVER CALVIN RIDLEY
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
How discouraging to not be able to finish in the red zone and not be able to figure out a
way to win this game?
Not figuring out how to win when the game is discouraging for sure. We worked all week,
had a good game plan, talked about it all week and we were supposed to win the game.
What was the message after the game on staying together this last part of the season.
We are together, I mean we just don’t break a part because of a loss. We are together. We
just got to play better.
TITANS SAFETY AMANI HOOKER
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
How do you balance a game, when the defense seemingly does enough, and then
there just isn’t enough on the offensive end to get the win?
All we can do on defense is control what we control. Mow our own grass. I felt like on
defense, we went out there and did our thing. I felt like opportunities when they scored like
that long drive, we got to get a stop there, and we didn’t.
You guys were able to win the turnover battle and all that kind of stuff. I know it’s a
team sport and it takes everybody. But how tough is this one, given how well you guys
played defensively?
You know, it’s tough. And like I said, as a defense, I felt like, we were on top of it. We had an
idea of what they were going to run. We were on it. We were communicating well out there.
We’ve got to get a stop and can’t let them score.
Did they do anything different on that drive, to get into the end zone?
I mean they were little bit tempo. A little more tempo getting on the ball. Just kind of taking
little check downs, and then kind of got out of the pocket, scrambled and found Brian
Thomas on the sideline and he took that about 20 yards. But they didn’t do too much
different just kind of upped the tempo a little bit.
How do you contextualize this result, with where you guys are at on this season, and
maybe, what it was like in the locker room after?
After a loss like that, the locker room is not good, I mean, as you expect. We didn’t come in
here trying to lose or expect to lose. You thought we were going to win the game. But didn’t
do enough. We’ve just got to get to work. I mean, regardless, we still have these next four
games. And if you show up, you’ve got to show up in the right mentality, or they’ll get
someone else to do the job for you.
You guys had such a positive result in Houston. How hard is it, to kind of go from that
to these past two games in Washington, and then today?
Yeah, I mean, you just soak in one win. You’ve got to be able to treat every week, as if it’s a
new week. You’re starting 0-0. However, we didn’t get that done today, or last week.
TITANS DEFENSIVE TACKLE JEFFERY SIMMONS
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
As you’re the leader in this entire locker room, how do you try to keep this group
together down the stretch when obviously a game like this, it kind of sinks to the
bottom a little bit?
It’s hard. At the end of the day, when you are leader, there’s only so much you can say. Now
we lost the game, I’m sure everybody wondering, ‘It’s over with. We only got four games
left.’ For me, I try to just preach, you are what you put on tape. The resume is everything.
Your tape is your resume. It’s all about what guys want to put on tape. And like I said, you
can have that mindset of we’re not playing for nothing. But you’re playing for the name on
your back for the last four games. And that’s my mindset, I’m going to give this team for the
rest for the rest all I got. From off the field and on the field, we just got to finish the season.
Did they do think they did anything differently than in the first half?
No, I got to see on tape, but I’m sure—the different calls we in, I don’t know when they
happened, the reason why they were getting (inaudible)—but I’m sure just like it’s been all
year, someone not just doing their job. That’s a tale— like I said, always for us is maybe one
guy every time. Like I said, we’ll see the tape tomorrow. And like I said, I’m sure it’s been the
same thing all year. And especially when teams get stuff on us on defense is one guy not
doing their job or whatever it may be. Even in that situation, we still had them in the
position to stop them. I don’t know, man. Frustrating.
Is that pretty much what it’s reduced to, you guys are playing for pride?
Like I said, at this point of the year, there’s no playoff. We know that. We lost today and at
the end of the day, like I said, it’s about what you put on tape. You have that mindset that
you’re going to go out there and it is what it is, then your ass will e out of this league pretty
soon. Like I said, my message to even my room and these young guys on the team and will
be my message is don’t think you don’t have nothing to play for because you do. You got to
play for the name on your back. And like I said, it’s just frustrating.
How big do you want to factor in to win some games down the stretch, roll it into the
next to the field build the ‘winning culture?’
One thing about winning, it builds confidence. When you win, it helps build confidence.
Like I said, we have a lot of young guys on this team, and we have a lot of young guys who
are playing a lot of snaps for us. Prime example, Otis (Reese IV), you got Jarvis (Brownlee
Jr.), you got (T’Vondre) Sweat, you got so many young guys and when you’re losing, it sucks.
And even after the game, you see Jarvis mad, throwing his helmet. I told him, ‘Chill out.’ We
didn’t do enough to win the game, and at the end of day, you see that, you think yes, guys
are frustrated. They’re young. Like I said, winning takes care of everything. Can’t say we
don’t have nothing to play for these last four games. Hopefully we could just find a way to
try to build some momentum going into next year. But like I said, these last four games we
are playing for something.
How do you reconcile this kind of loss with what you’ve known this organization to be
and what it would like to be?
With a loss like this, you get you get two turnovers, we talked about the ball, we talked
about affecting the quarterback. We talk about stopping the run, especially speaking on
the defense side. We did all that today. We got one sack, it’s not all about the sacks. I feel
like we affected the quarterback enough, got him off the spot. I don’t know. Just got to—
speaking on just going forward, we just got to fight. We’ve got to keep fighting and figure it
out. I don’t know. I don’t really have the words and the answer for you at this point. I don’t
want to keep saying the same (stuff) over and over.
TITANS LINEBACKER LUKE GIFFORD
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
What’s the takeaway for the defense when you guys seemingly did enough for a win,
and it wasn’t quite there in all phases?
Yeah, I think we just got to make one more play. And that’s always what it’s about. We did a
lot of good things, but when it comes down to it, we got to make the one that changes the
game. So yeah, wish we would have got that done, but it’s tough.
How do you feel you’ve taken advantage of your increased opportunities lately?
I think obviously it’s all about winning and there’s good and bad for sure and good things to
take from it. But I’m sure I’ll go watch the film and there’ll be plenty to work on, you know?
But that’s how this league is, is you never know when your opportunity is going to come.
And when it comes, you have to take advantage of it.
How do you prevent, if possible, this loss and some other losses from compounding
and kind of snowballing?
I think you just got to remember that I said this earlier, but like the NFL, nobody feels bad
for you or feels sorry for you. Next week is going to be just as tough. And so, if you don’t
bring it every week, then it’s going to be a long remainder of the season. And I know that the
guys that we have here and the type of people that we have around us, that’s not going to
happen. We’ll be ready to roll next week.
TITANS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN J.C. LATHAM
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2024
How can an offense work through a rut like maybe you had today in game?
Eliminate the sacks, eliminate the pressures, eliminate the penalties. Be efficient.
Were you a little late on the snap on the play where Will Levis got hit late, explain how
that played out?
Yeah I don’t think I was late on it. I think I just got beat to be honest, no excuse.
This one seems maybe a bit more personal for you and just the way I’m kind of
evaluating you. Correct me if I’m wrong, is there a reason for that?
Every game is personal, especially the divisional ones. Having a game like this where we
felt like we had all the momentum the whole game and lost it at the end.
Does this feel like bottoming out in terms of just the results, because you guys have
struggled this year. Some games you put together good things and some games where
you’ve worked and gotten close but a game like today, how frustrating is that?
Losing is always frustrating. So, on any level, no matter what it is. You lose by one, you lose
by fifth, it’s frustrating.
