Five Positive Signs, Five Negative Ones Through Five Games

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Titans are a little bit of a head-scratcher as they head into their bye weekend.

A have a look at lots of the NFL’s most basic stats suggests this staff is experiencing every kind of difficulties and is probably going nearer to the underside of the league than the highest.

But after shedding their first two video games, the Titans (3-2) have gained three in a row – the longest energetic profitable streak within the AFC – and are alone in first place within the AFC South.

How can we steadiness out what we’ve seen of the Titans thus far?

Listed here are 5 issues which have gone nicely and 5 issues that want enchancment when the staff returns to motion on Oct. 23 in opposition to Indianapolis:

WHAT’S GOING WELL

• Punching it in – The offense hasn’t moved the ball down the sector constantly, however as soon as contained in the 20-yard line, it has care of enterprise like no person else within the league. When the Titans scored a red-zone landing in opposition to the Commanders final Sunday, it marked the ninth straight time they’d transformed a red-zone possession into six factors. They’ve gone 10-for-11 producing touchdowns within the purple zone this season, a 91 p.c success price that ranks first within the NFL. No different NFL staff is above 80 p.c within the purple zone.

• Henry trending up – Working again Derrick Henry is trending in the appropriate path. In his first two video games, the two-time NFL dashing champion carried 34 instances for 107 yards, averaging simply 3.2 yards per try. Solely a type of runs went for 10 or extra yards, and Henry compelled a mixed 4 missed tackles within the first two video games, per Professional Soccer Focus.

However he’s been a significantly better again the final three video games with 71 rushes for 301 yards (4.3-yard common). Henry has 10 rushes of 10-plus yards and has compelled a mixed 15 missed tackles throughout that stretch. And what about his emergence within the passing sport? After zero catches within the first two weeks, Henry has 10 receptions for 121 yards within the final three video games. To place that whole in perspective, Henry has by no means had greater than 19 catches in a complete season.

• Early factors – Maybe overshadowed by the second-half struggles is the actual fact the staff has gotten out of the gate much better than it did a yr in the past. In 2021, the Titans scored a whole of 61 factors within the first quarter. By means of 4 video games this season, they have already got 42 factors within the first quarter – good for a league-high common of 8.4. The scenario is analogous on opening drives. In 2021, the Titans scored simply 4 instances on their first possession. This yr, they scored on their first drives in every of their first 4 video games, the primary NFL staff to take action because the Patriots in 2011.

• Rookie contributions – After some notable whiffs within the draft courses of 2020 and 2021, this yr’s group is off to a robust begin. Cornerback Roger McCreary, the second-round decide, has stepped straight into the beginning lineup and held up nicely whereas taking part in almost each defensive snap. Nicholas Petit-Frere, a third-round decide, wasn’t essentially anticipated to be a right away starter however gained the appropriate deal with job in coaching camp. He’s been higher within the working sport than the passing sport, however he has but to give up a sack, per Professional Soccer Focus. Broad receiver Treylon Burks (10 catches), vast receiver Kyle Philips (seven catches), tight finish Chig Okonkwo (landing catch) and working again Hassan Haskins (25-yard avg. on kick returns) have all made necessary contributions as nicely.

• Crucial-down protection – On third downs, the Titans have allowed simply 16 conversions in 59 makes an attempt, a 27.1 p.c success price that’s tops within the league. Within the purple zone, the Titans have surrendered 9 touchdowns on 18 opposing possessions, a 50 p.c success price that’s tied for ninth within the league. Tennessee posted a game-clinching red-zone cease final Sunday in opposition to the Commanders, one week after holding Indianapolis to 2 touchdowns in six red-zone possessions. (And, sure, we acknowledge that fourth downs are a distinct story, because the Titans have allowed seven conversions on 9 makes an attempt, worst within the NFL).

WHAT NEEDS TO IMPROVE

• Limiting Explosive Performs – The Commanders had a big-play subject day in opposition to the Titans final Sunday, finishing 4 passes of 30 yards or extra. However the Titans have truly been giving up these performs with far an excessive amount of regularity all season. They’ve already surrendered 15 performs of 30-plus yards in 5 video games, in comparison with 24 such performs throughout all the 2021 season. The Titans have restricted the taking part in time of cornerback Caleb Farley, however opposing offenses have nonetheless victimized him. He’s allowed a mean of twenty-two.7 yards – and two touchdowns – on 9 receptions when focused this season, per Professional Soccer Focus.

• Higher Cross Safety – Cross safety was a nice shock by three weeks. Regardless of modifications from final yr’s beginning 5 – together with the lack of beginning left deal with Taylor Lewan on the primary play of Week 2 – the Titans allowed 4 sacks within the first three video games. However the line has leaked the final two weeks, permitting a mixed eight sacks to the Colts and Commanders. Left deal with Dennis Daley has allowed 16 pressures this season, tied for fourth-highest within the league amongst tackles, per PFF. His PFF pass-block grade is 32.9, and Petit-Frere’s is 43.9.

• Second-Half Wake-Up Calls – This isn’t precisely breaking information, however the Titans have been terrible within the second half of video games this season, outscored 71-14 over 10 third and fourth quarters. The Titans have but to attain within the fourth quarter this season. These are some mind-blowing numbers. At the least credit score the protection for developing with some massive performs within the second half this season – denying the Raiders a important two-point conversion try, stifling three straight Indianapolis drives and intercepting Washington’s Carson Wentz on the objective line. Offensively, nonetheless, it’s been a catastrophe.

• Contributions from 2021 draft class – As referenced above, the 2022 draft class seems to be like a promising one. However the Titans really want extra from the 2021 group transferring ahead. We touched on the struggles of Farley, the first-round decide. As well as, second-round choice Dillon Radunz has fallen from projected beginning deal with to order guard. Edge rusher Rashad Weaver, a 2021 fourth-round decide, has made a major impression this season together with his team-high 4 sacks. However accidents have restricted contributions from linebacker Monty Rice, cornerback Elijah Molden and vast receiver Racey McMath. Broad receiver Dez Fitzpatrick stays on the follow squad regardless of the actual fact the Titans are skinny at his place.

• Massive-Chunk Performs – The Titans would possibly be capable to resolve a few of their second-half scoring points with the assistance of some occasional massive performs – just like the 61-yard bomb to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine within the first half in opposition to Washington final Sunday. Henry will possible account for some breakaway runs because the season goes on, however by 5 video games, his longest run is 24 yards. That’s the one Titans run of 20-plus yards this season, which ranks Tennessee tied for twenty eighth within the league. By means of the air, the Titans have posted simply 5 performs of 25-plus yards – which leaves them tied for twenty ninth within the league with Chicago and Arizona. Granted, it may be tough for lengthy routes to develop when the go safety isn’t good.