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Can Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry overcome NFL’s top rush defense?

By Will Lomas

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 20: Fans cheer after Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 20: Fans cheer after Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Nissan Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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Can Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry overcome one of the more underrated defenses in the NFL?

It is hard to believe, but despite being one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans opponent this week is actually the best rush defense in the NFL in yards game.

Now, before we go any further I want to say that this stat is a little bit misleading. While it is true that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is stout even when you look at yards per carry (2.9), that is one of the smallest sample sizes

With just 141 rushes against all year (6th fewest in the NFL) there is a chance that matchups and the ease of the just moving the ball through the air have made it more efficient to just abandon the run down after early success.

Still, Arthur Smith would rather burst into flames on the sideline than to abandon the running game for even a drive or two. So, if the Titans are going to have success expect a lot of rushing attempts whether they work or not.

If that is the case then Derrick Henry (please, please, please not anyone else) is going to have to do his fair share on the ground.

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Henry is quietly currently in the midst of a career year. With just one, 100 yard rushing game but with only two games less than 75 yards, he has been steady for about 73 yards and a touchdown through the early part of the season.

Even after including the decimation in Jacksonville (aka the Jamil Douglas game) he is still having a good year. So with what should be a completely healthy offensive line and a threatening passing game, can Henry win his matchups?

On the ground, Henry can break tackles of guys like Devin White, Carl Nassib and even Shaq Barrett if the Titans can just find a way to get guys like Ndamukong Suh and Lavonte David blocked before they can make contact in the backfield.

I emphasized “on the ground” because where the Bucs can be hurt badly is when they try to tackle running backs in space and last week we saw Derrick Henry catch the ball naturally for one of the first times I can remember.

If the Titans can:

-get Suh and David blocked

AND

-get Henry to catch the ball like that

then I think Henry has a chance to have one of the better games by a running back against the Bucs so far.

Now all we have to do is trust Keith Cart-…oh, right.

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