Grading the Titans offense a quarter into the season.
In an odd crux of the quarter-point in the NFL season, the Tennessee Titans find themselves at a unique crossroad. While the team has opened up with a favorable 3-0 start to the season, COVID-19 has spread through the franchise over the last 10 days. A total of 22 positive tests have been reported, two of which have come just today.
While the season is in jeopardy for the Titans, the team has been off to an interesting start. Despite their undefeated record, they have faced spotty opponents who are a combined 3-9 in the season so far. The Titans have needed fourth-quarter stands in each of their three games to pull off narrow victories.
While the Titans are off to an uneven start, the continuity by bringing back most of the offense from last season has helped keep pace early on. The Titans offense has not lost a beat after posting one of the most efficient offenses last year.
Behind Ryan Tannehill, the Titans have tallied consecutive 30 point games. Meanwhile, Derrick Henry has put up yardage behind his heavy workload even if the explosive plays have not been there. Unlike last season where the Titans redzone efficiency was at an all-time high, the Titans have struggled to punch the ball in the endzone.
The soft schedule should help this offense pick up pace as they face tougher opponents in the coming weeks. After the undefeated Buffalo Bills matchup this weekend, the Titans face the Texans, Steelers, and Bengals in the coming weeks.
Let’s evaluate where the Titans offensive players are today as they look forward to the rest of the season.
Quarterback
The Titans signed quarterback Ryan Tannehill to a massive extension this offseason to become the unquestionable leader for the franchise. After a shaky four seasons under Mariota, the Titans found their quarterback midway last season. Tannehill has not disappointed.
In three games, Tannehill has thrown for six touchdowns and only one pick. The Titans have struggled to set up their run game which has forced the team to rely more on the passing game. He has thrown for 800 yards while completing 67% of his passes.
The stats he puts up speaks only half the impact he has had on the Titans offense. Tannehill has been able to keep the chains moving and keep drives alive. His leadership on the field has allowed Titans to put game-winning drives together.
Despite the injury to his number one receiver A.J. Brown, Tannehill has utilized the various weapons on offense to their full extent. He has been able to hit open receivers or make tight throws into small windows.
Tannehill doesn’t need to do much more for this team to be successful. The Titans have struggled to score in the redzone. Tannehill may need to utilize his legs more for the Titans to be able to stretch defenses more. If he can maintain his accuracy and his composure, the Titans can rely on Tannehill for the rest of the season.
Quarterback Grade: A+
Running Backs
Along with Tannehill, running back Derrick Henry signed a big contract extension to stay in Tennessee for the foreseeable future. Henry was monstrous late last season when he arguably put the best three-game stretch for a running back in history.
While Henry has put up impressive total stats with 319 yards in three games, putting him fourth in the NFL even with one less game, he is struggling on a per-carry basis. He is only averaging 3.9 yards a carry and has needed 82 attempts to get those 319 yards. That is the second-most attempts in the NFL and the 35th highest yards per attempt.
If the season were to end, this would be his least efficient season yet. The concerning part of Henry’s game has been his inability to wear on defenses late in-game. Henry’s best ability has been his high motor late in games to run past tired defensive lineman and truck over worn-out linebackers and defensive backs. However, we just have not seen him do that yet.
For a team that predicates their entire offensive game plan around Henry, his slow start is a cause for concern. Henry is also taking more reps with rookie running back Darrynton Evans missing the first two games of the year. Evans, who was expected to aid in 3rd down situations, has only been in one game and seen eight snaps thus far.
Henry will need to pick up the pace and show a little more dominance on the field. While offensive line struggles have slowed his production, Henry has shown an ability to overpower defenses. The next few games should be intriguing against solid defenses in the Bills and Steelers. That will give the team good insight on how their teams fair against top-notch competition.
Running Back Grade: B-
Wide Receivers
The Titans wide receiving corps has been an interesting development this year. Coming into the season, second-year receiver A.J. Brown was expected to take on primary responsibilities and rank among the best in the league after his wonderful rookie season. However, Brown has not seen the field in the last two games after getting injured in the first game against the Broncos.
Yet, the Titans have been getting solid production from the rest of the receiving corps. While in past seasons the weakest link has often been their receiving corps, the Titans have maxed out the talent and leveraged each receiver with their strengths.
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Corey Davis has started out the season strong with 19 receptions and a touchdown while Adam Humphries also has 20 receptions and a touchdown. Despite missing Brown, the Titans have been able to find production deep in the receiving corps.
Kalif Raymond had a terrific game against the Vikings with a three catch, 118-yard outing while Cameron Batson has seen a few targets.
The Titans have been able to deploy their receivers in unique situations. Raymond has given the team a downfield, big-play threat with his speed while Humphries has given the team a reliable third-down target. Davis gives Tannehill a big target and solid route-running ability. When the team returns Brown, they will have a solid four-man rotation for the rest of the season.
Davis, who has struggled to be the primary option, has flourished so far as the second option in the offense. Tannehill and Davis have clearly worked on their chemistry this offseason and seem to be more in sync. If Davis can continue to develop his ability to win 50-50 balls, then this offense should find more reliability as the season progresses.
Wide Receiver Grade: A
Tight Ends
The tight end position is arguably the strongest and deepest position not only on the offensive but the entire roster. The Titans’ heavy tight-end sets have capitalized on the various skillsets of Jonnu Smith, Anthony Firkser, and MyCole Pruitt.
Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who was previously the Titans’ Tight Ends Coach, thoroughly understands the weapons at his disposal as he deploys the mismatches against opposing defenses.
First, Jonnu Smith is in the midst of a breakout season with his 13 receptions, 181 yards, and three touchdown season so far. Tannehill has looked Smith’s way consistently in the passing game with a team-high 20 targets. Not only is Smith coming on as a receiving option, but he has continued to be a good blocker in the run game.
After letting long-time veteran Delanie Walker walk in the offseason, Smith has nicely backfilled the role on the roster. His ability to stretch the field with his speed and win physical matchups has given the Titans a massive threat in the middle of the field.
Fisker and Pruitt, who are primarily deployed as run blockers, have also found more action in the passing game. Between the two, they have nine receptions and a touchdown. More impressively, they have corralled every target that has come their direction.
The Titans tight ends have allowed Tannehill to exploit mismatches against linebackers and forced opposing defenses to not only consider A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry in their game plans but also try to find personnel to stop Smith and company.
The Titans just need to continue finding creative solutions to get Smith involved in the game. In previous years, the Titans found Smith touches in the run game or in screens that have gone for big plays. I expect Vrabel to utilize the tight ends in more interesting ways moving forward.
Tight End Grade: A+
Offensive Line
The Titans offensive line play has been the toughest to grade. While the team lost Jack Conklin in free agency, the Titans re-signed Dennis Kelly to backfill the right tackle position. In an extra insurance move, the Titans drafted Isaiah Wilson from the University of Georgia in the first round of the NFL draft.
While Kelly has been solid at the right tackle position, Wilson has yet to see the field after horrible feedback from training camps and a DUI arrest earlier this year. The unquestionably immature Wilson has been a massive failure for the Titans front office.
However, the Titans line has played well together. Despite missing Lewan for portions of games thus far, they have only allowed one sack. The middle of the line has held up reasonably well in passing downs while Kelly and Lewan have been able to slow opposing edge rushers.
The run protection has not been as dominant as you would expect. In many situations, Derrick Henry is seeing defenders in the backfield before he touches the ball and very few holes when he gets the ball. While the Titans run blocking is not horrible, it has not been as dominant as it was late last year.
The Titans have not faced daunting defenses thus far. The Broncos and Vikings have been decimated by injuries while the Jaguars have a completely retooled defense. The Titans will face a tougher set of defenses in the coming weeks. The Bills will be an intriguing matchup and if the Titans really want to claim to be a top-tier team in the AFC this year, they need to have a strong showing upfront.
Offensive Line Grade: B-