Sports

Titans defense struggles with explosive play: ‘We have to fix it’


Via Ben Arthur
FOX Sports AFC South Writer

First, it caused a second-half crash against the New York Giants. Afterward Buffalo Bills do whatever they want in the passing game. Afterward Las Vegas Raiders also had a field day – albeit at a loss.

The Tennessee Titans‘Achilles heel early this season? Explosive play concessions.

“We had to fix it,” said defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. “It’s hurtful for us to be here early through these first three games.”

The Titans (1-2) have given up 20 explosive plays so far this season – 8 passes for 20 yards or more and 12 runs for 10 yards or more (excluding tackles) . That’s a big reason why Tennessee is defending in the 20th round at a higher rate than anyone else in the NFL. According to Sharpfootballanalysis.com, the Titans’ opponents are averaging 14 red zone plays per game in Week 4, the most in the league.

Tennessee’s defense has been very strong this year (as in 2021), ranking third in the NFL for third-to-bottom efficiency and eighth for efficiency in the red zone. But the mid-20s will add to avoidable stress.

“I told everyone (Thursday),” Go back and look. X plays the same role. That’s right,” Bowen said. “If we don’t drop X turns, there aren’t many points.”

While running defenses have been an issue since the opener – the Titans are 29th in the number of yards allowed per game – the busts covered have put a distinct focus on young defense, seen as a weakness since the beginning of the season. Seven of the eight explosive pass plays that Tennessee has dropped have come in the last two games.

Opposite Kristian FultonTitans are starting a rookie in the second pick Roger McCrearywho beat the first round in 2021 Caleb Farley. With Fulton sidelined, Farley started facing the Bills in Week 2 but struggled in a close 41-7 loss. He then just played a defensive shot against the Raiders, with the Titans starting veteran Terrance Mitchell – signed with the Patriots practice team a few days earlier – for him. Mitchell had a tough outing, allowing eight 12-goal receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference. Raiders Midfielder Derek Carr has a 122.6 passer-by rating targeting Mitchell.

Mitchell is not the only full-back to be put in a difficult position. Bamboo Averyan untrained rookie who at one point found himself on an island in Week 2 with the Bills’ Stefon Diggs, one of the league’s best receivers. Avery allows three receptions of three goals for 66 yards and one touchdown, according to Pro Football Reference. Josh Allen has a perfect passer rating of 158.3 targeting him.

It doesn’t help the sophomore pro Elijah MoldenThe team’s top nickel returned, having suffered a reserve injury since the start of the season.

“Every week there is progress,” Fulton said when asked what makes him hope things will change. “I feel like in the first few weeks we might have had some misinformation that led to coverage going bust with eye-openers or just bad guys. But I feel like weeks Over with the (boom) plays, we were in the majority position, but we didn’t make the play, so I felt it was a challenge for us to take the next step. are communicating with each other. Now we have to get in position to make plays. We have to be hungry to make plays.”

Bowen added that the goal is to keep doing the “earn it” offense, as opposed to having a defense hit yourself.

“Didn’t let the ball go over our heads, didn’t wrinkle us for 15, 20 meters in the running game,” he said. “Had to keep things in front of us. Hopefully, make them drive on the field.”

Ben Arthur is an AFC South correspondent for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the writer who beat the Titans for a year and a half. He joined the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for three seasons (2018-20) before moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.


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