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3 troubling stats for the Tennessee Titans defense

By Jamisson Hiffner

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 27: Jadeveon Clowney #99 of the Tennessee Titans speaks with his teammates on the bench in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 27: Jadeveon Clowney #99 of the Tennessee Titans speaks with his teammates on the bench in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) carries the ball as Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) defends during the fourth quarter of a Week 8 NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 31-20.Tennessee Titans At Cincinnati Bengals Nov 1
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) carries the ball as Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) defends during the fourth quarter of a Week 8 NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 31-20.Tennessee Titans At Cincinnati Bengals Nov 1 /

1. 3rd Down Percentage

The Titans are allowing opponents to convert third downs at an unprecedented 61.8% rate. This is BY FAR the worst mark in the league. Carolina is 31st in this category, and they’re allowing 54.2% conversion percentage: a whole 7 percentage points better than the last-place.

On Sunday, Tennessee allowed the Bengals, who entered the game with only 1 win, to convert 10-of-15 third-down tries. This is just an inexcusable number, and this is the most pressing issue that has to be addressed. When the defense can’t get off the field on third down, you’re being set up for failure. Add in the fact that your pass-rushers never get sacks, and you have a recipe for disaster.

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The Titans are allowing teams to convert an average of 8 third-downs per game, a mark that is ALSO worst in the league by a wide margin. What Tennessee’s third-down failures are doing is making life that much harder on the offense. When the defense is allowing 270 passing yards a game, getting zero pressure, and handing out free first downs, it puts your offense in a less-than-desirable position.

If Tennessee any expectations of getting back to the AFC Championship Game, the defense needs major improvement. The Titans are lucky to still be tied for 1st place in the AFC South, but I can assure you that will not be the case in January if something doesn’t change on defense.

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