HEAD COACH TODD BOWLES

(On where he feels the team is mentally after a difficult, emotional loss)

"Our team is fine. They were great at practice today. Once you go through the tape and get over it…We've got a 24-hour rule. Right now, we're getting ready for Tennessee. The focus was good, the practice was good."

(On the biggest lesson the team should take from the defeat against Houston)

"You've got to finish the game. You've got to finish the game. We already know that."

(On what the offense can build off from their performance on Sunday)

"We did a lot of good things, offensively. We can build off of that. It was one of our better scoring games of the year – probably our best scoring game of the year, to be exact. We've just got to build off of it. When you lose, it's never good enough. We've got a lot of things we can still work on, so we'll be working on that."

(On facing another rookie quarterback in Titans QB Will Levis)

"You know his arm strength. You prepare for the team, not the quarterback. The quarterback is a product of the system that the team is running, so you get ready for the team."

(On what he remembers from meeting with Levis during the draft process this past spring)

"He's a smart guy. He's a good quarterback, he's very smart, he's aware, he has a very strong arm, he's very athletic. He had all of the intangibles."

(On if he asks OLB Yaya Diaby, who played against Levis in college last season, for scouting on Levis)

"Not really. It's a different scheme for Yaya, it's a different scheme for Will. They're not in college anymore. They've got their own things to worry about, I'm sure, [with] Will as a quarterback and Yaya as an outside [linebacker]. We know how athletic he is and he can be. We know how strong his arm is. Other than that, there's really nothing to talk about."

(On what it's like going up against a running back like Titans RB Derrick Henry)

"I'm sure I could speak for the other 31 teams in the league – he's a load. He's tough. He's tough, he's a load. You know what they're going to do – he's coming. He's bigger than your linebackers, your outside [linebackers], your inside [linebackers] and all your DBs. We've got to try and gang tackle him."

(On if S Ryan Neal will start on Sunday or if he will mix-and-match)

"We don't disclose game-plan stuff, but everybody should be prepared to play."

(On if he feels like the team is 'pissed off')

"They work hard. We're pissed off after every loss, not after that one."

(On the most encouraging signs that the team is showing right now)

"We've had it all along. We play together and we stay together. We go through ups and downs together. We're a close-knit group. There's progress being made by the offense. There [was] progress being made by the defense. We've got to just play all together at the same time."

(On if he views this past game as just a 'blip' of poor play)

"It's coaches and players. You have bad days in this league. You're not going to go unscathed when you're coaching in this league long enough. That day, everything fell apart. We've got to regroup. We've got guys that we trust – they trust in the coaching staff. We're in it together."

(On if he's concerned that the way CBs Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis III are being instructed to play goes against their strengths)

"Absolutely no concern. We've got to play better, we've got to coach better."

(On if he feels like CB Jamel Dean will be able to play this Sunday)

"I'll feel better once I see him on Friday, if he's progressed any. He hasn't put a helmet on, so he's in [concussion] protocol right now. Again, I'm not smart enough to know if he can recover from that or he can't, so we'll see where he's at."

(On how he got over playing poorly when he was a player)

"You watch [the tape] – you've got to watch it. That's the hard truth. Then you've got to look in the mirror – you've got to look at yourself in the mirror, as a player or as a coach. You've got to go back to basics – are you doing the things you needed to do? Are you doing everything the right way? Are you fundamentally sound? Are you preparing yourself for the game? If somebody just kicked your butt, you can live with it. When you do things you know you can do better and you've done a million times, that's when you go back to basics and you start over again. It happens to everybody. It was our clunker game and we had one."

(On if the team has to start winning at home to turn things around)

"I don't care where we win at, we just need to win a game."

(On where he saw progress in the offense this past Sunday)

"Obviously, we scored a bunch of points. There [were] more holes in the run game. We went down the field and completed some things. We've just got to keep growing and keep building on that. It's not going to be perfect every time, but there was some light at the end of the tunnel right there that we can build on and we'll try to build on it."

(On the pass rush not being as productive as he'd like)

"Some of them are disrupting the quarterback. Sometimes the ball comes out and it's just your luck – when you beat a guy and the ball comes out. We can rush the passer better. It's not so much the sacks I'm worried about, as it is the quarterback disruption. We can all be better. We needed to be better last game, we can be better this week."

(On what he saw from TE Cade Otton this past week)

"Cade is our steady-Eddie. I've said all along, he's one of the most underrated players we have. You look up at the end of the day, he does everything. He has outstanding hands, he has a great feel for the game. He may not be the most athletic or the biggest or the strongest, but he's the most complete and the most solid guy. He does a lot of things well for us. You saw that last week."

(On RB Rachaad White's ability as a pass catcher)

"Like we said, it helps out part of the running game now [that] we've started using it. If they double Mike [Evans] and Chris [Godwin] down the field, he's open with about 10-15 yards of real estate to run before anybody gets close to him. We started taking advantage of that a little bit more. When they start taking that away, we'll start going down the field a little bit more. It kind of works hand-in-hand but he's very good in the open field."

(On if the cornerbacks are giving too much cushion against wide receivers)

"We're not. It's not a product of playing off. We've been up, we've been off, we've been all over the place. We've just got to make plays. The pass rush and the coverage goes hand-in-hand."

QUARTERBACK BAKER MAYFIELD

(On what the offense can take away from its scoring drive in the final minute of the game vs. Houston)

"Yeah, I mean if you look at it from kind of an overview look, then yeah, we scored when we needed to. But I think the tale of it was not scoring in the third quarter. Then on that drive alone, yeah, we overcame some things, but they were self-inflicted – some penalties. A third-and-23 is not where you want to be on a critical drive in the fourth quarter needing to score a touchdown. Luckily, Trey [Palmer] ran a great route over the middle and was able to get close enough to be able to convert on fourth down. We showed that we can get it done when we need to, but there is still the same story of the self-inflicted things that we need to eliminate."

(On what worked offensively in a 37-point outing)

"I think we ran the ball better and I think we had our shots and took them when we were there. Obviously, we would've had another touchdown throw on the pass interference on Trey [Palmer] – I got my arm hit in the pocket, but a good route by him. Just different things – I think we executed better. There was still some of the things we need to get cleaned up, but we executed better overall. Like I said, there was that lull in the third quarter, which is what we really focused on. We started fast, but when we come out of halftime it has to be the same mentality – hit the reset button [with] a 0-0 mentality and start fast [then], as well."

(On TE Cade Otton's performance)

"It was the power of the mustache, honestly, and the connection there for the two touchdowns [laughs]. Cade is a stud. He's going to run the right route based on coverage. He's going to be in the right spot. That first one, he did a great job just helping out protection – he's not the first read, but he understands the concept coming in late for when they drop out in their zone coverage. He did a great job on that one. Then, the fourth quarter one – he told me exactly what he was going to do if it was a certain coverage and it happened to be that way. That open-communication line between skill guys and the QB is so important. I think we have that throughout the whole skill group, but yeah, Cade just continues to do that consistently."

(On if he feels he is having one of his better seasons in terms of limiting turnovers and making completions)

"Yes and no. There are still some of the deeper shots that I want back, that I want to hit. But yeah, I'm definitely taking what is there when the defense is dropping out in some softer coverages and taking completions. I think that's just a part of growing in the game overall, just having more experience and not getting too aggressive, not trying to be greedy. It's also just trusting our skill guys knowing that we have the talent. It's just distributing the ball."

(On where he sees the most growth in the offense)

"We've been talking about the run game, but I think you saw just being on the same page on Sunday of just better execution overall, whether it's communication up front, guys finishing the blocks, down-the-field blocks – we were better in that aspect. The overall understanding of our system – that's continuing to get better and better the more reps we get."

(On RB Rachaad White's ability in the passing attack)

"It's vital for the backs to be able to have these checkdowns and stuff in the pass game. Then when you can feature them in different formations and things like that, that's when you really become dangerous. I think the best example to your question is just that short little stick route he ran in the redzone. It was third-and-whatever, he catches it, splits a couple of guys and almost scores a touchdown, but gets the first down to set up first-and-goal. Those are the things – the hidden yardage when you can catch a ball, get straight up field, drop step and get vertical… he's got a knack for making people miss, but on that one, he got north and south. He understands what he needs to get done."

(On what he does to get past a rough game personally)

"Kind of like I've mentioned talking about our offense, for me, I look at, 'OK, what went wrong in the game? Is it a fundamental thing? Is it just OK, I got beat on this? Was I messed up in the assignment? Did I not do it correctly?' So, there are things you can look at to point out where exactly it went wrong. For me, a lot of it I'll look at and be like, 'Why did I miss that throw?' The first thing I look at is my feet. I'm just talking for my stuff. I look at the fundamental things of where it went wrong and at that point you just can't wait to get back on the field and get it fixed, get it corrected. It's a part of this profession. The guys on the other side of the ball get paid too, but you want to be as prepared as possible to show up and give your best stuff."

(On if that process helps him reset)

"Yeah, first, you've just got to understand you're here for a reason. You've got to realize that you're at the highest level of your field for a reason. It's a long season though, so you've got to flush it, you've got to move on. You have to improve at the same time, but you have to be ready for the next opponent."

(On if there is a sense of anger following a four-game losing streak)

"I wouldn't say anger. Frustration – we expect to win these games that we've lost, so that's the biggest thing. It's the same message. Look at what exactly went wrong, get that corrected and move on from there. When we start playing as a team… there is a lot of ball left. We're just through the halfway mark of the year. We'll learn a lot of lessons from these games that we've lost in a row, and we will be stronger for it."

(On if there is a sense of players losing confidence in themselves)

"No, I think guys came out with the right intentions today – focused and ready to go. For us, that's exactly what you want. Don't dwell on it. You watch the film Monday. Tuesday is your day to recover and watch film for Wednesday practice. Come out really focused and head towards the same goal, and that's trying to find a way to win on Sunday."

(On if there have been any players only meetings)

"No. I think a lot of people make a big story about the players only meetings, but for us – yes, we have captains, but we've got a lot of leaders. Guys know we just need to do our job. That's the biggest thing. It's not like it's a lack of discipline throughout the week or being on the same page – it's just a matter of translating it from the practice field and the meetings to the game on Sunday and trusting in that. It's about guys getting their jobs done and just doing that each play. Hitting the reset button until the clock hits zero."

(On the importance of winning at home)

"Good opportunity this week against a team that plays extremely hard on defense. Obviously, [Titans Head Coach Mike] Vrabel is a defensive guy. His mentality seeps throughout the whole team, but especially on defense. He's got those guys flying around. Then obviously they present their own issues on offense with 'D. Hop' (DeAndre Hopkins) and Derrick [Henry]. I think Will Levis is playing pretty confident right now. I just got to watch that game last week on primetime. Yeah, [they are] a confident group. I think they're headed in the right direction, so we have to be ready for the challenge. Each week is a challenge for us, and we've got to handle it that way."

(On Titans DT Jeffery Simmons and his ability to be a game-wrecker)

"He is. Yeah, he is a game-wrecker – one of those guys where you've got to know where he is at. If you have to have some help in protection, you're going to have to do that. You have to make adjustments for him. He's just one guy that you don't want to let ruin your day. We've got to know where he's at. Guys have got to be keyed into the gameplan, particularly protection-wise and run-game-wise with how we're attacking him. Limit his big playmaking."

(On if there are any specific moments he remembers from his career in terms of rebounding from a losing skid)

"I think each season, every story is a little bit different. Just, for me, within this it's just mentally trying to be the same guy for everybody else in the building, but then at the same time, having a different edge to the approach. There has got to be even more attention to detail. Yeah, we did have an OK day offensively, but we can be better. We could've scored over 40 points. Having that intentionality with it, having a purpose to it and just leading by example when it comes to that. When the win comes, it's like a weight lifted off your shoulders, but then it's the same thing – on to the next one. How can we continue to improve and build the momentum that we need?"

(On if it has been 'a shock' for the team to be where it's at after starting the season 3-1)

"It's just the things that we did to win the tight ballgames early, we haven't necessarily done in recent weeks. Get back to that, find ways to win. No matter what, it's the best team game in the world. We've got to play a complete game as a team to be able to find wins."

CORNERBACK CARLTON DAVIS III

(On what went wrong on the Texans' go-ahead touchdown at the end of the game)

"The play – everything was wrong. I don't have an explanation, honestly. What you've seen is what happened. I've just got to own up to it. [It is] hurtful to watch, to replay it in your head – especially knowing the caliber of player that I am and the standards that I have. It's one of the worst things that can happen. It's the brutal truth of playing [cornerback] – whenever you're not on point, it's for the whole world to see. It can be for all the marbles. That's just the position that I play. I take it with pride and I love what I do. I'm going to get better and I've moved on past it. I just want to get that nasty taste out of my mouth."

(On how he regroups after a play and a game like that)

"Like I said, the position I play, it's a brutal position. When you mess up, it's for millions to see. I know that. I've always known that. I've been here before. It's not my first rodeo. I know how to come back from this. My confidence won't be [damaged]. The next time you see me, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to tell that my confidence will be the same as it was before the play happened. It hurts. It's like the worst thing that could've happened to any [cornerback]. You've got to move on. I can't stay stuck in that moment. I can't produce off that moment – I can't allow it to affect me and affect this team, even though I feel bad not just for me but for my team [and] for the fans [and] for the city of Tampa. It hurts. It's something that I have to move forward [from] and I have to be better."

(On if playing more zone coverage this season is affecting his play)

"No. As a [cornerback]… I am a really good press-man [cornerback], but I don't pride myself on only playing press. I pride myself on being an all-around [cornerback] and being able to help my team more than that. Regardless of whether I'm playing off or whether I'm playing press, I'm trying to do whatever I can to help this team get a 'W.' That didn't happen. I didn't hold up my side of the bargain. That's just the truth of the matter."

(On if he views this game as a singular 'blip' on the radar, in terms of not playing well)

"It was a bad game. We just had a breakdown game. We are a much better group, I'm a much better player, we're a much better defense than what we displayed on Sunday. Like I said, it hurts. It's something that you can never really forget about – even maybe a year from now, I'll probably have a nightmare like, 'Woah, that happened.' Because it did. It hurts because we have those standards, we have the way we carry ourselves as a defense. That's why it hurts so bad."

(On if there's any way to flush the loss and move on from it)

"Move on. Move on to Tennessee, honestly. This league, whether you have a good or a bad game, time keeps going. There's another game coming up Sunday and we've got to prepare for that game. Whether it's a good or a bad game…If you had a good game [and] you want to carry that over, you probably lose the next game because you're not as hungry. If you lose that game and you carry that over, you probably lose [the next] game because you're still trying to carry over something that happened in the past. It's about what we're doing right now to be better on Sunday."

(On if the defense got too relaxed at the end of the game)

"No, we just didn't execute. We just didn't execute."

(On if there are people in the locker room he can rely on to help him bounce back)

"I'd probably talk to Lavonte David or something, probably give Rondé [Barber] a call. Overall, it's being that guy who is a veteran and knows how to bounce back. It's something that I've just got to go through, have a couple conversations and just flush it out and move forward. We've got a long season ahead of us. There's a lot for us to do, a lot for us to prove, a lot for me to prove. We've got to use this to fuel the fire. We can't let the fire burn us up. We've got to use it and transfer that energy to being one of the best defenses that we can be."

WIDE RECEIVER CHRIS GODWIN

(On what started clicking for the offensive players)

"I think we are just still working on it. I think we are able to execute a little bit better. It helped having the field position that we did, especially, [when] we [had] a turnover on the first possession by the defense [and] that set us up. We [had] a field goal there, I wish we could have [had] seven, but I think it just started us off right. We had a couple [of] big penalties for us that went our way that put us in a good field position, but I think overall, our execution was just better in the redzone. I think we were like 4-for-5 with touchdowns, and that's just going to be big for us, so hopefully we can just springboard that, build some confidence, and make that a thing."

(On what it is like getting the bad taste out of his mouth after collecting more than 30 points and losing)

"To be honest, you have to treat it like any other game. Win, loss, or draw, you have to move on to the next game. You can't hold on to it, but for so long, because then you are setting yourself up for failure for the next week. I think that's one of the beautiful things about the NFL is every week is a new game, and everybody is so good, so you can't hang on to a loss or win too long or you're going to set yourself for failure."

(On how he keeps everyone's intentions heading in the right direction as a captain)

"I think everyone's intentions are well [and they] are in the right spot. I don't think there is anything we as captains have to do to get guys going or anything. I think we are all still together, we all believe in each other. It's just a couple of plays here and there that we have to correct. We have to figure out how to make those work and how to be on the same page."

(On what he think the Houston Texans did to slow him down)

"I don't necessarily know if it was something intentionally done by them. I think it was the way that the game went. I had a catch early on that was negated by a penalty, me and 'Bake' (Baker Mayfield) connected deeper down the field, and there [were] a couple of miscommunications. If we clean up the things that we can control, like me and 'Bake,' I think that will make things better, and it's kind of like the way the game goes. I don't particularly care too much, I'm more concerned about the win. If we [had] won that game it's whatever, I only got two catches, but for me, I just try to do whatever I can to contribute, trying to do a little but better job at the blocking game, try to present a better target for 'Bake,' and hopefully we can get this thing jelling again."

(On the defense allowing the Houston Texans to score the last 46 seconds of the game)

"For sure, [shit] happens. It's unfortunate. I think the Texans made some good plays, their quarterback was poised, you know, he made some really nice throws. We just didn't make the plays, and it's not just on the defense, it's not just on one side of the ball, because if that was the case early on in the season when we weren't scoring, the defense could put it on us, right. That's not how this team works, we are not out here pointing fingers or blaming guys, we have to figure out a way to win a game as a unit. There were plenty [of] opportunities we had offensively to take advantage of some of things they were doing and we didn't. We can help our defense out, and we have to keep this thing together."

(On the biggest challenge faced this week playing the Tennessee Titans)

"The first thing that comes to mind is their physicality. They pride themselves on being a physical team, [and] we have to match their physicality. Derrick Henry is a great running back, they have a great offensive line, and then as of late they've been doing a really good job, (Titans quarterback) Will [Levis] has been giving them a spark, and (Titans Wide Receiver) DeAndre Hopkins is making some explosive plays. We have to match their physicality, bring that to them, and turn it into our game. I think it will be a really good challenge for us, and obviously we are looking to get back in the win column, so we have to do whatever we can to make that happen."

-BUCCANEERS-