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Tennessee Titans: What we learned from Week 7 win

By Michael Moraitis

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans gets the crowd cheering during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans gets the crowd cheering during a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20: Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers rushes the quarterback and is blocked by Dennis Kelly #71 of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20: Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers rushes the quarterback and is blocked by Dennis Kelly #71 of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

5. The O-line still isn’t fixed

Don’t let this two-sack day fool you into thinking the Titans’ offensive line is fixed, because it isn’t. Just remember that the Chargers were missing three of their four starting defensive lineman in this game, so you have to factor that into the number of sacks allowed in Week 7.

A big reason for the Titans’ success upfront was a result of Tannehill getting rid of the ball quickly and being more decisive in trusting his arm and receivers. The Titans QB knew he wouldn’t last long holding on to the football.

Tennessee’s QB was hit five times and his interception was a result of his getting hit while throwing the football. An injury to Nate Davis forced the Titans to turn to Jamil Douglas, who was abused by Joey Bosa. Jack Conklin also had to leave early, but at least the Titans have Dennis Kelly to fill in there. Still, Kelly got beat by Bosa, also.

Now, I don’t want to sound like a bummer because the O-line did play better than in weeks past, but better quarterback play certainly masked some of its issues.

Aside from pass protection, the O-line didn’t do a great job run blocking. Sure, Derrick Henry finished with a respectable 4.1 yards per carry, but the Titans failed to get the run game established for much of the contest against a poor run defense, and Henry only really got going during the second half.

This is especially concerning because the run game should have opened up with Tannehill throwing the rock effectively. Poor run blocking has been something that isn’t being talked about enough, which is understandable considering the attention given to the historically bad pass protection this team has seen.

Nate Davis looked better in his limited action in Week 7, but if he is to miss any time at all with his rib injury, the Titans had better fire up Kevin Pamphile to play right guard. We’ve already seen what Douglas can do, and it isn’t good. This line needs to be moving forward, and that process does not include Douglas.

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