NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Jerod Mayo and Brian Callahan are experiencing the challenges that first-year NFL coaches often face.

Balancing the need to win now with the patience needed when developing young quarterbacks. It’s not easy, and Mayo brings his New England Patriots to Music City on Sunday to play Callahan’s Titans, both near the bottom of the NFL standings.

That makes fans see a tank job in progress or clamor loudly for more losses for a better draft pick next April. That’s not a coach’s top priority as the calendar turns to November.

“Our job is to put the best product on the field every week, play as hard as we can, do everything we can to win a game,” Callahan said. “And I will always take that stance.”

His Titans (1-6) have matched the franchise’s worst start since 2015, costing Ken Whisenhunt his job in his second season. Tennessee was defeated 52-14 in Detroit, and the Titans return home desperate for their first win in Nashville after an 0-3 start.

Tennessee is one of only two NFL teams with a single win along with Carolina. Mayo and his Patriots (2-5) are not far behind only thanks to last week’s 25-22 victory over the Jets. Fans forget that jobs are on the line no matter the record, especially with much of the season left.

“There’s too much at stake and too much risk for anyone to do anything more than do their best to win a game,” Callahan said.

Random QB

While the Patriots wait for rookie Drake Maye to emerge from concussion protocol, they’ve at least seen encouraging signs from Jacoby Brissett.

The nine-year veteran started the first five games, going 1-4 before being replaced by Maye. The first-round pick left last week’s game after a helmet-to-helmet hit and is in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Brissett came off the bench and led New England to a two-score lead in the fourth quarter to snap a six-game losing streak.

“I feel very comfortable putting Jacoby there as he is a professional and always ready, as you could see in the last game,” Mayo said. “Having a veteran quarterback like Jacoby puts us at ease.”

The Titans started veteran backup Mason Rudolph the final two games with second-year quarterback Will Levis recovering from a sprained AC joint on his right, throwing his shoulder in hopes of returning Sunday. Their only win came in Miami after Levis was injured and Rudolph finished on top on September 30.

It hasn’t mattered who starts. These teams are last in the NFL with the fewest passing yards.

Enhanced protection

The results haven’t shown where it matters most, but the Titans are better protecting whichever player is at quarterback. After allowing 15 sacks in the first three games, they have allowed just five in the last four games, which is tied with Arizona for the fewest allowed in that span in the NFL.

Despite rotating between right tackles, the Titans have allowed just one sack in two games and didn’t allow one in another. That’s an average of 1.3 sacks allowed, fourth in the league over the last five weeks.

happy returns

With the offense struggling to move the ball, a punt returner like Marcus Jones may be even more valuable to the Patriots. He had a 62-yard return against the Jets to set up a touchdown. It was the second punt return of 60+ yards of his career, along with an 84-yard touchdown in 2022.

The Patriots defensive back is second in the NFL and first in the AFC with an average of 13.1 yards per punt return.

“Even though he’s a defensive player, he’s one of the most explosive players in the league when he has the ball in his hands,” Mayo said. “Even if you go back throughout the season, there were times where he was very close to blowing one up. … I hope to continue like this.”

Special teams have been a big focus for the Titans after suffering 190 yards on punt returns alone, including a 90-yard touchdown.

protect the ball

Turnovers have been the Titans’ biggest problem, along with struggling to score in the second half. Only the Raiders (17) have had more than Tennessee’s 16 after four more last week. Center Lloyd Cushenberry said it’s a great talking point.

“If we take them out, we’ll be in a better position,” Cushenberry said. “We’ve been moving the ball. Running the ball well. Protection has even gotten better. It’s just turnovers. It’s killing us.”

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AP Sports Writer Jimmy Golen contributed to this report.

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