To say the Tennessee Titans’ offense has been a disaster through three games would be an understatement.
Tennessee’s unit was absolutely wrecked in Week 3, with the Cleveland Browns bringing relentless pressure against a Titans offensive line that simply isn’t good through three games.
Buy Titans TicketsThat led to quarterback Ryan Tannehill finishing with just 104 scoreless passing yards, and while DeAndre Hopkins led the team in receiving yards, he tallied just 48 on three receptions.
Things weren’t any better on the ground, as running back Derrick Henry was stifled to the tune of an abysmal 20 yards. And, Henry’s workload was limited to just 11 carries because Tennessee was trailing.
The issues for those three players are a lot deeper than just how they’re playing, as the putrid offensive line has a lot (or all) to do with it.
Let’s take a deeper dive on all three players and see if they should be in your lineups in Week 4.
RB Derrick Henry: Start
There are multiple reasons why Henry has been lackluster through the first three weeks and, in my humble opinion, they do not have to do with him being washed up, as many might argue.
For starters, the Titans’ offensive line has been bad in run-blocking, which has made it impossible for Henry to thrive against stacked boxes, as he’s done in the past. Making matters even worse, Titans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly is calling for Henry run plays in the most predictable situations.
Adding to all that, fellow back Tyjae Spears has out-snapped Henry in two games this season, which has helped limit his workload. The first time it happened in Week 1, it was unexplainable in such a close game. It was understandable in Week 3, though, because Tennessee was trailing
Because of the fact he’s been an elite player in fantasy football for so many years now, Henry remains a starter for me, especially against a Bengals defense ceding the third-most rushing yards per game.
However, if he’s unable to get it done in Week 4 for any reason, it’ll be time to re-evaluate Henry’s must-start status.
WR DeAndre Hopkins: Sit
Sticking with the theme of blaming the offensive line, Hopkins’ slow start to the season is fully on the group upfront, as pass protection has been putrid, making it impossible for Tennessee to do much through the air.
It should be noted, however, that the Titans have faced a brutal stretch of pass-rush duos. First, it was Cam Jordan and Carl Granderson, then Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and then Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith.
Now, the Bengals are coming to town with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
As far as Hopkins himself goes, he doesn’t looked washed by any means and he’s enjoying a 30.8 percent target share, which clearly shows he’s the No. 1 option in Tennessee.
Meanwhile, projected breakout players like fellow wide receiver Treylon Burks and tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo have done nothing to next to nothing.
Even with all that, it’s simply hard to trust Hopkins this week against a Bengals defense that sports two good edge rushers that can duplicate what happened to Tennessee last week, and a pass defense that ranks 12th.
I’m not 100 percent against starting Hopkins in Week 4 based on the positives he’s shown, and with there being a good chance the Titans need to air it out plenty in this game.
But if you’ve got an option that has proven more reliable in recent weeks, go for it.
QB Ryan Tannehill: Sit
Tannehill was a disaster in Week 1, which was fully on him. He rebounded in Week 2 before another disastrous showing in Week 3 — but this time around, it wasn’t his fault.
Tannehill was sacked five times and pressured countless others against Garrett and the Browns. Things won’t get any easier this week, with Hendrickson and Hubbard coming to town.
Hendrickson also draws a matchup against Titans left tackle Andre Dillard, who leads the league in sacks allowed with six, which is two more than the next closest player and three more than any other tackle in the NFL.
Until Dillard and the Titans’ offensive line proves it can hold up in pass pro, Tannehill is not someone you can start.
