Our Titans got that bounce back dub this past weekend playing host to the Chargers. It's been so long since we've won a game I didn't know how good it felt. I know we're all still riding that overtime high but it's time to come back down to earth as we talk about "The Good, The Bad & The WTFugly."
THE GOOD
THE RETURN OF TANNY-TRILL
This was the performance we had all been eagerly anticipating. Tanny went 20/24 for 246 yards, with 2 total touchdowns and zero turnovers, resulting in an impressive 123.3 rating. This is the Tanny we are familiar with, and for some of us, it's a reminder of why we admire him at times. It's worth noting that he's recently recovered from ankle surgery, and our hopes for a Jordan-esque flu game performance last week might have been a bit too optimistic. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to seeing how he fares against the Jim Schwartz-led Browns defense this week. If he can deliver another strong performance, it might be a sign that we're in good shape and can afford to ease our concerns.
THE PLAY-CALLING IMPROVED DRASTICALLY
Tim Kelly is gradually finding his stride, and I'm noticing him taking charge of the offensive scheme that we watched Todd Downing dismantle over the past two seasons. While there are remnants of the old regime still present, it's becoming evident that the grass is starting to look greener on the other side. Additionally, the fact that we scored a trio of touchdowns in the game marks our first such achievement this season, signaling potential progress in our offensive performance.
NICK FOLK WAS SO MONEY...AGAIN
Let's give Ran a round of applause for the Nick Folk trade this offseason! Folk has been absolutely flawless, going 7 for 7 on field goals and 3 for 3 on extra points this year, which, for those of us who struggle with math, equals a perfect 100%. The man is indeed money, and I couldn't resist throwing in the "Swingers" reference again – he's so money, and he might not even realize it. But enough with the "Swingers" references; I recognize that not everyone reading this may be familiar with the movie. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend checking it out!
Fun Fact: Nick Folk has now scored 24 points on the season. $$$
OUR DEFENSE IS THE REAL DEAL HOLYFIELD
The Titans' defense exhibited tremendous prowess on Sunday, displaying their dominance across the field. They registered 3 sacks, recorded 6 tackles for loss, delivered 5 QB hits, and deflected 5 passes. While they did yield a couple of scores to one of the league's premier QB/WR duos, the defense performed admirably when it counted most. Notably, Honor Landry's crucial sack forced the Chargers to settle for a field goal, providing the Titans with an opportunity to secure victory in overtime. If the team continues to exert this level of pressure on opposing quarterbacks, as they've demonstrated in the first two games, we can expect to witness numerous three-and-outs throughout the season!
Fun Fact: Titans current tackler leader for the Titans is the Mayor of Murfreesboro, Kevin Byard with 20 total tackles through two contests.
EVERYONE GOT INVOLVED WITH THE BALL
Ryan Tannehill displayed exceptional distribution, involving 7 different pass catchers with multiple receptions. Notably, Chig, DHop, and Burks combined for 11 catches and 151 yards. This balanced approach enabled the Titans to establish an effective offense, setting the stage for Tannehill to excel in play-action—a realm where he has consistently inflicted damage since taking the helm as the starter.
THE RUNNING GAME WAS A FOCAL POINT
The Titans made a concerted effort to establish their ground game early, amassing 34 carries and 141 yards on the turf. Notably, rookie Tyjae Spears shined with an impressive 6.1 yards per carry (YPC). Henry, Spears, and Tannehill collectively scored 2 touchdowns while maintaining an average of 4.1 YPC. While the running game has room for improvement before it fully embodies the expectations we have for our new Smash & Dash duo, Sunday's performance showcased glimpses of potential, promising an exciting journey ahead.
THE BAD
OFFENSIVE LINE IS STILL FINDING THEIR WAY
Our pass protection showed significant improvement this week, particularly in the critical moments that allowed Tannehill to engineer his 11th comeback victory since taking the reins as the starter for the Tennessee Titans. However, it's worth noting that we still yielded 5 sacks during the game, bringing our total to 9 sacks allowed for the year. While we were missing our top draft pick, who will remain sidelined as he recovers from surgery this week, there's hope that the front four can build on their late-game and overtime success to ensure Tannehill remains well-protected in the upcoming matchup against the Browns.
THESE SLOW STARTS HAVE GOT TO GO
It's time to wake up! While we often like to label our team as a "second-half team," let's face it; that's just wishful thinking we indulge in when we're struggling early. Two weeks in a row, we've started lethargically, almost as if we're still in our slippers and pajamas. It's only after the opposing team lands a few punches that we finally decide to step up and play real football. This pattern needs to be put to bed – you see what I did there?
THE WTFUGLY??!!
IS OUR SECONDARY A LIABILITY?
In this season thus far, Derek Carr and Justin Herbert have relentlessly exploited our secondary, reminiscent of furious villagers, accumulating a total of 610 yards and 3 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 8.3 yards per pass. Notably, Chargers WR Keenan Allen and Saints WR Chris Olave have contributed significantly, amassing 223 yards and 3 touchdowns on 16 receptions. Should these statistics persist, it becomes increasingly challenging to secure victories against formidable adversaries. The defensive front can only rescue the secondary and the offense on a limited number of occasions before they must deliver on their end of the deal.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TI is the brains behind the "Titans Idiot Nation" and an avid sports fanatic and pop culture enthusiast who is unhealthily obsessed with football, especially the NFL. When he's not yelling at his TV, he enjoys running, spending time with his family and of course, yelling at his TV.Check Out Some Other Stories From Titans Idiot Nation
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