Tennessee Titans: Instant analysis of Week 1 win over Browns

Here’s some instant analysis from the Tennessee Titans’ 43-13 blowout win over the Cleveland Browns.

Here’s my instant analysis for Tennessee Titans fans: Wow.

There are simply no words for what went on today. And that’s not to say I didn’t think the Titans could win, because in fact I picked them to win. But I didn’t expect the kind of rout that took place at FirstEnergy Stadium against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1.

The Titans got off to a bit of a slow start, but as the game progressed everything just started to click, and Tennessee showed every single reason why there are a lot of us who believe in this team in 2019.

There’s a lot to be happy about if you’re a Titans fan, so let’s look at it all, shall we?

Marcus Mariota

There’s no question: Marcus Mariota wasn’t at his best in this game. He did miss some throws he shouldn’t have and I’m sure he’d tell you that.

However, Mariota made the big plays when it mattered most, and he displayed his great decision-making on a third down scamper late in the game that kept a Titans drive alive.

The Oregon product also showed off his deep ball with two connections to A.J. Brown that went for 47 and 51 yards each. He also found Delanie Walker in the end zone twice, and that connection will improve Mariota’s game all season long after he didn’t have his favorite target in 2018.

Mariota finished 14-of-24 for 248 yards and three touchdowns, and while he was sacked four times and did deal with pressure, he didn’t commit any turnovers.

With the weapons the Titans clearly have in Brown and Adam Humphries, to go along with a returning Walker and Corey Davis, Mariota just has to clean up the small details and he could have himself a sensational season. He was the best quarterback on the field on Sunday.

The offensive line

The Titans weren’t supposed to be able to survive not having Taylor Lewan, and the loss of Kevin Pamphile was the clincher that the Titans had no hope of stopping this Browns pass-rush.

While the Browns did notch four sacks, the Titans offensive line played more than well enough to keep Mariota mostly upright and able to make plays. You never felt like the Titans offense was doomed in this game.

Also, Derrick Henry averaged 4.4 yards per carry, and blocking was a big reason he was able to score a 75-yard touchdown.

The Titans will be just fine without their left tackle for the next three games.

A.J. Brown

What is there not to love about A.J. Brown?

The rookie ripped off two big plays that totaled a combined 98 yards, and he went for 100 yards altogether through the air in his debut, leading all Titans receivers.

Mariota found Brown over the middle of the field wide open on one play, but the other big play was a catch and run that displayed the kind of physicality Brown brings to the table. He took a short pass across the field and turned it into a big gain thanks to a few broken tackles.

Furthermore, Brown’s two catches led to points, as the Titans ended up scoring with field goals on each drive.

The Tennessee Titans defense

Man oh man, the pass-rush was filthy on Sunday. The Titans got constant pressure, and as we expected, that led to multiple Baker Mayfield mistakes that changed the entire course of this game.

I don’t want to hear anything more about Cameron Wake’s age. The veteran EDGE broke through for two sacks, one of which helped caused a fumble that was recovered by the Browns, and the other gave the Titans two points via a safety.

Wake’s 2.5 sacks in Week 1 are already more sacks than the Titans got from their two starting edge rushers combined last season. Harold Landry didn’t get on the board in this game, but he did cause the aforementioned fumble. Sharif Finch (one sack) and Logan Ryan (1.5 sacks) both got to the quarterback, also.

And the Titans secondary did exactly what you’d expect them to do with their front seven getting so much pressure. Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler, and Kevin Byard each notched an interception.

The secondary also deserves credit for making both Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry non-factors. After a strong first half for OBJ, he barely showed up in the second half, and Landry had a few big gains, but failed to make a considerable impact.

I will say it again for those in the back: this Titans defense is championship-caliber, and Sunday’s sensational performance proved that.

Derrick Henry

Like Brown, Henry deserves his own section. After a slow start, Henry started finding lanes and making significant gains, finishing with 19 carries for 84 yards and one rushing score. He did exactly what the Titans needed him to do on the ground.

Henry’s big play of the afternoon actually came in the passing game. On a short pass from Mariota, Henry took it 75 yards to the house with a few nice moves and some great blocking from his teammates. It was vintage big play King Henry in action.

The play was an absolute back-breaker after the Browns had just closed the gap to 15-13 on the previous drive. From there, it was all Titans, as the Browns simply never recovered from that huge play.