What Tennessee Titans have to be thankful for in 2019

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans outruns Morgan Burnett #42 of the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns for a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio . (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans outruns Morgan Burnett #42 of the Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns for a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio . (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 06: Jayon Brown #55 and Rashaan Evans #54 talk before playing the Buffalo Bills at Nissan Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 06: Jayon Brown #55 and Rashaan Evans #54 talk before playing the Buffalo Bills at Nissan Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)

The defense

How can we mention things the Titans are thankful for and not talk about the defense.

When the Titans offense was in the doldrums earlier in the season, the only reason Tennessee had a prayer to win games was because of its defense. Through those first six mostly brutal weeks we already spoke about, the Titans defense allowed an astounding 15.3 points per game.

Just imagine where the Titans would be right now if the offense could have been even mediocre in that span.

It has been a pleasure to watch the development of young, up-and-coming linebackers like Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry.

We’ve also seen guys like safety Kevin Byard and cornerback Logan Ryan play dominant football. And, not so quietly anymore, Adoree’ Jackson continues to take that next step towards becoming an elite corner.

We should be thankful for a veteran like Jurrell Casey, who continues to produce year after year, but also not forget a guy like Jeffery Simmons, who amazingly came back from an ACL tear in just eight months and has been an impact player ever since. DaQuan Jones is also having the year of his life.

The list goes on and on for players that fans and the team need to appreciate, and, of course, we can’t forget about the man calling the shots, defensive coordinator Dean Pees.

If the Titans can ever put it altogether, they’re going to be a tough team to beat down the stretch, and in the playoffs if they make it that far.

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