Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

BRENNAN | The Titans’ Success Despite Injury Woes Deems Them Resilient Contenders

BRENNAN+%7C+The+Titans%E2%80%99+Success+Despite+Injury+Woes+Deems+Them+Resilient+Contenders

In week four of the NFL season, the Tennessee Titans seemed lost, losing to the hapless New York Jets and dropping to 2-2 on the season. Since then, significant injuries have forced the Titans’ playmakers to miss significant time. Yet despite these losses, the Titans have won six straight games, finding themselves atop the AFC and seemingly poised to compete for a championship come January.

Tennessee’s injury woes include 2020 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry, who is out due to a possible season-ending foot injury. Meanwhile, star wide receivers AJ Brown and Julio Jones have been in and out of the lineup with injuries of their own. While other teams may have admitted defeat without Pro Bowl-caliber offensive players, the Titans have emerged victorious — a resilient mentality that will serve them well.

The Titans have had some impressive wins during the six-game win streak. They eked out a win against the Bills in week four and crushed Kansas City in week five, holding Kansas City’s normally high-flying offense to just three points. Then, the Titans dominated in their first game without Henry, handily beating the 7-1 Rams. 

Even without Henry, Brown and Jones, Tennessee’s offense has remained strong during its winning streak. The Titans are averaging 30.5 points over the last six games, which would rank fifth in the NFL over the season. But offense has never been the issue with this team; it is its defense that has held it back in the past. Yet that narrative is changing this season.

During its winning streak, Tennessee is allowing just 20.2 points per game, which would rank 15th in the league over the season. The defense has never looked better, largely because of improvements on the defensive line. Harold Landry, Denico Autry and Jeffery Simmons are all having career seasons, reducing the workload of the rest of the defense. In particular, Simmons has come into his own in his third season, already setting career highs in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback pressures through 10 games. Simmons’ presence in the middle of the line opens opportunities for edge rushers like Landry and Autry, who have clearly taken advantage. 

While the line has been the most impressive, the rest of the Titans’ defense has been strong too. David Long has become a solid middle linebacker, especially with Rashaan Evans suffering an ankle injury in week seven. Tennessee’s cornerbacks have been impressive as well, but its other big defensive star comes from safety Kevin Byard, a ball hawk on the back end who has already accounted for five interceptions. 

Byard also makes a lot of tackles for the team. Currently, he has 46, which places him third on the roster behind Long and Landry. When you can make a Defensive Player of the Year case for two players on one defense –– three if you include Landry –– you know that unit is clicking. Tennessee will need them to keep that up to compete with the NFL’s most potent offenses in the playoffs.

With the No. 1 seed in the AFC for the moment and the NFL’s easiest schedule the rest of the way — facing off against teams with an average winning percentage of just .346 — the Titans are already planning ahead for the playoffs. Yet some may question the legitimacy of their 8-2 record, with critics pointing to the fact that Tennessee only has the point differential of a six-win team. I look at it differently. This Titans team has proven time and again it can win tight games. In the playoffs, when the team is at full strength again, the ability to compete down to the wire and come through in the clutch is necessary.

Instead of sputtering in the postseason because of a lopsided roster and lack of preparation, Tennessee will come out stronger than ever, even after a season filled with adversity. With Henry back to destroying everything in his path and Byard and Simmons leading a top-10 defense, the Titans are on their way to the AFC Championship –– and maybe even the Super Bowl.

Tim Brennan is a sophomore in the McDonough School of Business. Any Given Sunday appears in print and online every other week.

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