The Titans slid their way into a win for the second straight week, barely squeaking by the Jacksonville Jaguars 33-30.
We didn’t get the typical low scoring, physical football game we usually see whenever these 2 teams face off. Instead, we got a day full of chunk plays in the passing game, with both quarterbacks finishing the day with some very impressive numbers on the stat sheet.
We have a lot to talk about, let’s get to it.
1. It Was a Disaster of a Day For The Titans’s Defense
Yes, I know it’s still early. Teams are still trying to work through some of the difficulties that are impacting their ability to function normally on both sides of the ball.
But jeez, this Titans defense couldn’t stop anything today. Their run defense was full of missed gap assignments and whiffed tackle attempts, the corner group was put in the blender all day, and the pass rush couldn’t muster any sort of pressure for the most part.
It’s a real life example of getting gashed when you make these simple, yet costly mistakes.
However, if there’s one positive you can take away from the disappointing performance, it’s that most of these mistakes are again, simple and easy to correct.
.@KB31_Era: We can clean up everything. It feels good to be 2-0, but I wasn't pleased with our performance on defense today@Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 20, 2020
What you can’t easily correct is the lack of good play at corner. Malcolm Butler and Chris Jackson were the main culprits in the secondary today, with both giving up too many chunk plays in the passing game. It’s one thing if a rookie corner is giving up those big gains, but if your 2nd best corner is consistently getting beat, then you have a problem on your hands.
Another thing I saw today were the staggering amount of free runs Jaguars wide receivers got off the line of scrimmage. The Titans’s secondary tried everything to combat the youth and speed the Jaguars have at wide receiver. Whether it was zone, man, off coverage, nothing worked at all.
If what you’re doing isn’t working, you have to do something different in hopes of finding a solution right?
I’m not saying that your corners will find success getting physical at the line of scrimmage, but you have to try something different.
Along with the poor play from the corner group, the pass rush didn’t look its best for a 2nd straight week. Jadeveon Clowney looked much better as a pass rusher today, lining up everywhere along the defensive line and causing headaches wherever he went. Jeffery Simmons caused some trouble even with the numerous double teams he faced throughout the game and even made the crucial tip that led to the game winning interception late in the 4th quarter.
However, Harold Landry didn’t join the party, failing to capitalize on the numerous 1v1’s he found himself possessing as the game went along.
Again, it’s still early, but Landry continuing to find himself lacking in terms of impact isn’t a trend the Titans want to see.
2. Ryan Tannehill and Jonnu Smith Carry The Titans’s Offense
I think it’s safe to say Ryan Tannehill’s magical 2019 season wasn’t a fluke.
The 32 year old was fantastic for the 2nd straight game, going 18/24 for 239 yards and 4 touchdowns. Tannehill was on point from start to finish, dicing up the Jaguars’s defense while throwing to a number of different targets, including this dime to Adam Humphries while getting completely blasted as he threw.
.@RyanTannehill1 delivers a dime under pressure for his fourth TD pass of the day! #Titans
📺: #JAXvsTEN on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/gdttfTQjuY pic.twitter.com/CKEbyXt2TJ— NFL (@NFL) September 20, 2020
Jonnu Smith, Adam Humphries, and Cameron Batson all had at least 4 catches today, with Smith leading the pack yardage wise with 84 yards and a couple of scores.
Corey Davis couldn’t quite come close to the production he had last week, only hauling in 3 catches, but he did have a score in which he ran a nasty route and took rookie CJ Henderson to school.
All of this offensive success was accomplished without Derrick Henry finding his usual success on the ground. Henry didn’t have a lot of room to run on the ground, only gaining 84 yards on 22 carries. But his presence as a force still aided the Titans’s play action game, which was where Tannehill was at his best today.
After this latest performance, I believe you can call this offense a frightening threat for the rest of the league. There’s so much skill in the wide receiver group and at tight end, along with the threat Derrick Henry brings when he’s on top of his game.
Combine that with the level of play Tannehill continues to play at, and you might witness this offense ascend into one of the best the NFL has to offer.
There’s still the issue with the inconsistencies on the offensive line, but if those get cleaned up, watch out.
Next Week
Minnesota Vikings, ROAD
