Tennessee Titans: The good, the bad, and the ugly
By P. L. Colter
The Tennessee Titans have only played four games, but in that span, they have already managed to send their fans on an emotional roller coaster ride. From a historic season opener, to the crushing back to back late game losses, and everything in between.
We’ve seen some good things, some bad things, and some downright ugly things from the Titans in the first month of the season….
Today, we address them.
The Good
Offensive production:
The Titans are currently the 8th best scoring offense in the league, averaging 25.5 points per game. Their 12 offensive touchdowns are nearly half of last year’s total…for the season (28).
Run game:
Tennessee is currently averaging 118 yards a game on the ground, up 28 yards over last year’s average (90). The Titans also have four rushing touchdowns after four games. They had a total of six in 2014.
Outside linebacker Derrick Morgan has lived up to his free agent signing so far this season. He’s also outplayed his free agent counterpart Brian Orakpo. Morgan’s 4.5 sacks are tied for third in the league, and he’s been living in the opponent’s backfield all season.
The Bad
Second half adjustments:
Credit Tennessee for being a prepared team, they pretty much dominated Indianapolis and Buffalo in the first half of those respective games. But in the second half those teams made adjustments, and the Titans have been unable to counter punch to stop the bleeding.
Receivers:
With the exception of Kendall Wright, the Titans are getting nothing from their receivers. Harry Douglas and Justin Hunter have been unable to beat man-coverage. And as a result, opposing defenses are blitzing the rookie quarterback more and more. Ready or not, it may be time to increase Dorial Green-Beckham‘s workload.
Secondary:
For just about every back-breaking play the Titans have endured this season, there is the usual suspect…the secondary. In Cleveland, the secondary gave up a game clinching bomb on a 3rd and 6, with a chance to tie the game if they got the stop. The following week against the Colts, big plays in the passing game led to Indy’s comeback. And last week against the Bills, it was a 46 yard bomb late in the 4th quarter to set up Buffalo’s game winning touchdown.
The Ugly
This answer is actually opposite sides of the same coin. On one side, the way the Titans are losing…blowing double digit leads late in consecutive games. And on the other side, the record. Legendary coach Bill Parcells famously coined the phrase…”You are what your record says you are.”
The Titans are 1-3, not very pretty.
Next: An early check at the Tennessee Titans 2016 Mock Drafts