New-look Tennessee Titans defense thrived in Week 1

Initial hype for the Tennessee Titans' offense died in Sunday's disappointing Week 1 defeat to the Chicago Bears, but the defense gave fans something to be excited about.

Heading to the season, the Titans defense looked great on paper, but no one had seen them work together as a unit. Six of the starters on Sunday were added in the offseason (Kenneth Murray, Quandre Diggs, L'Jarius Sneed, T'Vondre Sweat, Sebastian Joseph-Day, and Chidobe Awuzie).

On top of that, Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry didn't play in the preseason because they were proven veterans. Outside of Arden Key, Amani Hooker, and Jack Gibbens, Titans fans had no tangible idea what to expect from Dennard Wilson's unit.

Any concerns were quickly washed away when the defensive line overwhelmed Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams early and often. Williams was often forced to scramble from pressure, which led to several questionable decisions.

D.J. Moore is an excellent receiver who averages 1,100 yards per season, but the Titans held him to 36 yards (something that only happened twice in 2023).

Keenan Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler, and the Titans held him to 29 yards. Excluding a game where he was injured early, that hasn't happened to Allen since 2020.

The Titans weren't perfect, but they were a well-oiled machine that found ways to get pressure on Williams when they needed to, while also preventing him from creating explosive plays with his legs.

A scary thought for opposing teams is that this defense should improve each week.

T'Vondre Sweat looked incredible in his rookie debut, and Brian Baldinger called him the best rookie defensive lineman he saw in Week 1.

The defense could get even better soon. Head coach Brian Callahan said he expects Ernest Jones IV to get more snaps going forward. On the previously linked OTP, Amy Wells asks if Jones had earned more time at the linebacker position, and Callahan says:

"I think so, yeah. That was the intent of bringing him on was to solidify that group a little bit that we had been hit with some injuries, and a chance to add a player of his caliber, a person that has his impact in the locker room as well as a former captain and all those things. The chance to add him was the intent for him to play and I think you are going to see more of him as he gets more comfortable."

That upgrade will be a big boost to the run defense and the pass rush. Also, don't forget about Jamal Adams. Wilson's defense was outstanding in Week 1, and it would be a bonus if a wildcard like Adams can add anything.

Had the offense managed to avoid a meltdown, this would be a week where people heaped praise on the Titans defense, so take a minute and reflect on just how good that group was.