How the Titans can attack a glaring Jets weakness in Week 2

The Tennessee Titans initially ran the ball well against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Offseason signing Tony Pollard opened the scoring by running for a 26-yard touchdown that was well blocked up front. Pollard enjoyed success, rushing for 82 total yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Things changed in the second half as the Bears began crowding the line of scrimmage with more defenders, threatening Will Levis to beat them. The Titans averaged less than three yards per carry throughout the third and fourth quarters, and eventually abandoned the run nearly altogether. Heading into a difficult Week 2 matchup with the New York Jets, Titans head coach Brian Callahan needs to establish and maintain run-game success versus a defense that struggled to stop the run in Week 1.

The San Francisco 49ers gashed the Jets for 180 yards on the ground despite being without superstar running back Christian McCaffrey. Third-year player Jordan Mason, making his first career start, rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown. Mason averaged 5.3 yards per carry. The 180 rushing yards allowed by the Jets was the third-worst mark across the league in Week 1.

The analytics were kinder to the Jets than expected. They posted a 34% run-stop-win-rate (RSWR), eighth-best in the league, according to ESPN Stats & Information. It's worth acknowledging they struggled to consistently get in the backfield, however, posting just a 25% pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR), third-worst in Week 1.

The Titans should have opportunities to expose a Jets defensive line that is thin on proven depth and production after losing veterans like Bryce Huff and John Franklin-Myers in the offseason. Their ongoing contract-related standoff with Haason Reddick surely isn't helping. One one snap, as noted by Michael Nania, the Jets had an undrafted pass rusher and practice squad call-up on their defensive line. It resulted in a 44-yard completion to fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

In addition to establishing Pollard, the Titans also need to do a better job involving Tyjae Spears. Callahan discussed that earlier this week. Spears was limited to four rushing attempts for 21 yards in Sunday's losing effort against the Bears.

The Titans' run game was inconsistent versus Chicago, but their overall run-blocking-win-rate (RBWR) was 73%, an acceptable 17th-best in Week 1. The Jets' run defense appeared extremely leaky against the 49ers as they continued dealing with defensive line depth issues. The Titans must expose this glaring weakness in Week 2.