NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Poor evenings for quarterback and coordinator keyed the stunning failure that ended the Titans’ season.

The biggest questions that will linger long into the offseason will therefore be about Ryan Tannehill and Todd Downing, who have much to ponder about their prominent roles in the 19-16 divisional-round defeat to the Bengals.

© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY

Mike Vrabel emphasized how no loss is the fault of one guy. But quarterbacks are the most important player on the field, and while Tannehill engineered a lot of good things during a great 12-5 season, his numbers were down as he dealt with injuries to his receivers and inconsistent protection.

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans squandered a great opportunity on Saturday with first place and home-field advantage.

Their first offensive play was a predictable play-action pass and the result was an interception to safety Jesse Bates.

© Albert Cesare / The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The reason it was predictable was the return of Derrick Henry and the attention paid to him by everyone in the stadium for his first snap. It is a given to most fans and watchers of the game that he was going to get the ball and energize the crowd, but in a coach’s and player’s mind the play-action was the obvious play.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- I'm sorry you had to endure that.

I know you are miserable.

Our conversations after losses sometimes seem cathartic, so we gave it a shot Saturday night.

Nine sacks and the Titans still found a way to lose as the AFC's No. 1 seed for the third time in what is now Nissan Stadium.

Ryan Tannehill threw three interceptions in a performance that will prompt a ton of fans who may have had faith to lose it. 

That wonderful regular season, with a 12-5 record, the No. 1 seed and the bye that put a healthy and well-rested team on the field against the conference's worst remaining franchise didn't mean a thing on Jan. 22, 2022.

It was a good conversation during which we hit on virtually everything.

Head below or to the private Facebook page to watch.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Last year’s column in this space about the Titans’ home loss to open the playoffs called it a waste.

After this year’s dream crashed to a halt with a 19-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, A.J. Brown chose a different, equally apt, word.

Pointless.

© Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

All that work, struggle, endurance and fight paid off with the best path the Titans can ever get: Two home games for a trip to the Super Bowl.

“Pointless,” said Brown, who caught five passes for a game-high 142 yards, including a half-spin, left-handed, one-handed catch on his left hip inside the right pylon while well covered by Chidobe Awuzie.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Happy divisional round.

I know you are exceedingly anxious, so I put together this mailbag to help you pass a bit of time as you countdown to kickoff.

Thanks for the questions.

What is Vrabels contract situation? After his success this year and the possibility of being coach of the year(or at the very least a finalist) Do you see him getting an extension this offseason?

— Anthony 🎙🌎 (@MyPeepsShowPod) January 21, 2022

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The more tape I watched of the Bengals and Titans leading up to this game the more one thought kept entering my mind.

The game will be less about the players and more about the coaches.

The Bengals and Titans are very similar talent-wise, and the strengths and weaknesses are almost a mirror image.

Both have capable and efficient quarterbacks, who distribute the ball well when they have all their weapons. They each have running games that can be impactful and force defenses to adjust and take away that running threat.

Each team has top-level wide receivers who must be focused on by coverage and have serviceable tight ends who will help in the short passing games and the red zone.

Each of the offensive lines is solid with the Titans holding a slight advantage as run blockers.

On the defensive side of the ball, everything starts up front.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Things are set up perfectly.

But the Tennessee Titans seem to be working hard to be conscious that a No. 1 seed and a home game guarantee nothing.

Courtesy Tennessee Titans

Kevin Byard was eloquent about how the Titans, as a sixth-seed, knocked out top-seeded Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium and how Tennessee can’t be lulled into any sense of security from being the AFC’s top team and earning the week off.

Others are banging the same drum.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – He gave up coaching after the 2017 football season.

But this week Jay Roth’s phone has been ringing and buzzing with texts.

Ja'Marr Chase, and Kristian Fulton with their high school coach, Jay Roth/ Courtesy Jay Roth

Now athletic director at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, La., people want to know about two stars he coached near the end of his tenure as the school’s football coach: Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton and Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who are sure to face off some in a divisional-round playoff game at Nissan Stadium Saturday.

“It’s pretty cool how those guys are in the NFL, how many people are calling,” Roth said. “It’s pretty exciting. Those guys are keeping me relevant.”