Tennessee Titans winless no more with chance to work on their offensive issues

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans bought themselves some much-needed breathing room with their first victory this season and first with coach Robert Saleh.

Now the key is telling the truth about what coaches and players see on film that needs fixing, which is easier after a win.

“We don’t just gloss over all the bad things and celebrate all the good things, we’ve got to look at everything the same,” Saleh said Monday. “But it’s relief in the sense that the questions that get asked, you’re not just getting pounded about everything, every little mistake that was made in the game.”

Tennessee's 26-20 victory at Indianapolis came almost in spite of the offense. Cam Ward had his worst game of his second season even as he improved to 4-19 for his career, narrowly avoiding becoming the second quarterback in the common draft era to lose at least 20 of his first 23 starts.

The defense had its best game yet with six sacks and three takeaways. All-Pro tackle Jeffery Simmons continues to lead with two sacks and forced a fumble he recovered at the Indianapolis 33. Simmons helped set up the other two sacks as well. Jermaine Johnson also had two sacks.

Safety Amani Hooker returned from missing a game in the concussion protocol to lead the Titans with 13 tackles and the first takeaway with a toe-tapping interception on the sideline. The Titans also sealed the win by forcing the Colts to turn the ball over on downs twice inside the final two minutes.

Special teams. Coordinator John “Bones” Fassel had said this unit was a sleeping giant. Well, the Titans woke up in a big way. Chimere Dike looked like the All-Pro returner he was last season as a rookie with a 58-yard punt return early in the fourth quarter that set up the Titans’ tying touchdown.

Julius Chestnut blocked a punt that Femi Oladejo picked up and ran to the end zone for the Titans’ first lead in the fourth quarter. The Titans also just missed blocking another punt.

Joey Slye had four field goals, including a 56-yarder.

The offense. The Titans set a season low for total yards for a second straight week, and they continue struggling to earn first downs. Tennessee was outgained 155-82 on offense and outscored 13-0 in the second quarter. Ward also was intercepted in the second quarter.

Ward had 102 yards passing, his worst total in a game he finished since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2025. The Titans were outgained 399-186.

Tennessee is averaging just 14 points a game and ranks last in the NFL with 235.3 yards of total offense and 153.5 yards passing per game. Saleh said they have to be better on third down and finding explosive plays early.

“It’s not all on the quarterback, I’ll keep reiterating that,” Saleh said. “But he is the face of the offense and he’s got to play at a higher level.”

Carnell Tate. The rookie wide receiver caught six of seven passes thrown to him for 70 yards and his first touchdown catch. He leads the Titans with 344 yards receiving.

CB Alontae Taylor. The Titans gave him a three-year, $58 million contract in March to start. He was deactivated against the Colts not because of injury but coaching decision. Saleh said he will meet with the coaches and make a decision on what's best for the team. Pressed again on why Taylor didn't play, Saleh said: “Just my decision guys, I’m not going to elaborate.”

S Kevin Winston Jr. missed a second straight game with a quadriceps muscle injury. S Tony Adams started in Winston’s place, hurt an ankle but returned.

4 — Consecutive games lost at home by the Titans, giving them a chance to snap yet another skid.

The Titans have another chance at a home win Sunday hosting Cleveland before a trip to Cincinnati. Then their bye offers a chance for the first-year coaching staff to reassess and regroup for the stretch run.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) catches a touchdown pass in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) gives direction at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) sacks Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, below, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker, second from right, celebrates his interception with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday directed the federal government to bolster federal research into women's health through all stages of their lives, a move pushed by his wife, first lady Melania Trump.

The Republican president signed an executive order creating a Women’s Health Division at the National Institutes of Health and a separate White House Women's Health Task Force. The panel was set to hold its first meeting on Monday.

“Beginning today we will change the reality of women’s health,” Melania Trump said. “Previous generations fought for women’s rights. Our generation will fight to discover the cures that will ensure a woman can live her life in health and to the fullest.”

The president spoke after his wife and said the order will “promote new research and really go after the understudied diseases affecting women.” The order is also intended to promote diagnostic technology and improve treatment.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who recently completed treatment for breast cancer, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the White House task force. Donald Trump said the panel will coordinate with various federal agencies and programs. The order does not include specific funding goals.

The initiative follows meetings the first lady had with the president, Kennedy and other federal health officials to help shape the order and the task force.

The president called it a "historic action” and praised her work.

“She’s accomplished so much,” he said before pivoting into unscripted commentary about White House renovations, including the patio stone now covering what used to be the Rose Garden lawn.

Shifting back to women's health, the president expressed surprise that some of the order's requirements had not already been imposed.

“Who the hell wouldn't have a women's health division?” he said, after recalling that he'd asked Melania Trump, “Are you sure they don't have that?”

The NIH has an Office of Research on Women’s Health, established in 1990 to advance understanding of the biological and social factors that influence women's health and disease, according to its website.

A goal of the new Women's Health Division is to improve the government's ability to coordinate research, according to a fact sheet distributed by the White House.

The executive order signed Monday calls for more research into key areas of women's health, including maternal health, mental health, endometriosis, infertility, fibroids and menopause. It also mentions other health concerns, including Alzheimer’s and heart disease, osteoporosis and stroke.

The White House announcement comes about two weeks before Nov. 3 elections and as Donald Trump’s job approval ratings have declined.

About one-third of women now approve of how Trump is handling the presidency, according to recent AP-NORC polling. About two-thirds of women disapproved of how Trump was handing healthcare issues in a July AP-NORC poll.

An AP-NORC poll conducted earlier in October found women more likely than men to say healthcare is “one of the most important issues” in the upcoming election.

It was unclear whether Trump's order conflicts with his earlier executive actions curtailing federal programs and policies with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion.

The administration’s broad cuts to scientific research have included studies focusing on women as it continues to eliminate grants with a “DEI” or diversity focus. Last year, the administration announced that the long-running Women’s Health Initiative, a study of preventive health strategies, would be closed early before abruptly reversing that decision amid protest.

In 2023, the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden signed an executive order as he announced a White House initiative to improve how the federal government approaches and funds research into the health of women, who make up more than half the U.S. population. The initiative was led by first lady Jill Biden.

Before leaving the White House, the Bidens highlighted Jill Biden’s effort and said the research initiative had attracted nearly $1 billion in federal funding, including from the Defense Department and NIH.

Trump's executive order rescinded the Biden effort.

The Trump White House said the steps announced Monday go beyond what was accomplished under Biden, citing the planned use of artificial intelligence, which Trump calls “super intelligence,” and creating a government-wide task force rather than having the first lady lead the initiative.

The initiative adds a new dimension to Melania Trump’s policy portfolio as first lady.

In Donald Trump's second term, Melania Trump has focused on improving foster care systems, expanding technology and artificial-intelligence access in education, and reuniting children separated from their families by Russia's war against Ukraine.

In Trump's first presidency, the first lady's signature initiative, Be Best, focused on child well-being, safe social media use and reducing drug abuse.

Barrow reported from Atlanta. AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard and Associated Press writers Linley Sanders and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report.

First lady Melania Trump speaks during an event about women's health, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, attends an event about women's health, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, holds a signed executive order, during an event about women's health, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump, seated right with first lady Melania Trump, signs an executive order during an event about women's health, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump holds up a signed executive order alongside first lady Melania Trump at an event about women's health, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)