Last time we saw the Tennessee Titans' defense, they were attempting to stop the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in their first game without Jeffery Simmons.
On paper, it didn't go well because they allowed 36 points in regulation, but that was a risk that Robert Saleh acknowledged when he decided to play a more aggressive style. Despite the result, that was the right mindset.
Saleh's defenses have been built around allowing teams to move the ball patiently down the field and forcing them to play mistake-free football, but that wasn't going to fly against the Bengals. They are scoring 30 points per game this season, second-most in the NFL. Compare that to the 18 points per game the Titans are scoring, which ranks 28th. That is such a large gap that a defensive playcaller can't just roll out the ball and hope for the best.
Saleh's defense was more aggressive and took chances, and while it did result in allowing points, it also resulted in four turnovers and three sacks.
Titans need to replicate Bengals game plan against Jaguars
Without those turnovers and sacks, the Titans offense wouldn't have been as productive as it was, and the game wouldn't have gone to overtime. Saleh's mentality was that the Titans defense was going to do everything they could to force Burrow into mistakes, even if that exposed them to the threat of a big play.
That is the mentality Saleh's defense needs to play with when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence hasn't been hit too often, but in his three worst games this season (Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cincinnati Bengals), he was sacked a combined eight times and had four turnovers.
The Titans defense needs to have a result like that if they are going to keep this game close. Saleh's defense has some players who can make an impact on that side of the ball. The last time they got aggressive, Jacob Martin had three sacks, so perhaps he has another big day.
Speaking of players with big days against the Bengals, Alontae Taylor provided a massive spark as a blitzer from the nickelback position, and he looked like the guy who deserved a massive contract in free agency. Then you have young defenders like Cedric Gray, Femi Oladejo, and Keldric Faulk who should be desperately trying to prove that they are players that this coaching staff can build around in the offseason.
This Titans team has their back against the wall, and they need to see which players are going to answer the call.
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