The Week 4 game was about as impressive a performance as the Tennessee Titans could’ve ever hoped for following a disastrous showing last week, with the team beating the Cincinnati Bengals in impressive fashion.
Sunday’s dominant win brought the Titans’ record up to 2-2 on the year, as they are now part of a four-way tie for first place in the AFC South.
It wasn’t all perfect, but it was a stout showing and all-around impressive day for the guys in two-tone blue, as everybody did their job at a high level. In fact, it was the best team performance of the year thus far.
I think all the credit goes to the players. It does,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. “We make all this up about play callers. Give (the players) a play and they go execute it. It’s up to the players and they did a great job.
Now, it’s time to go through the position groups and give a grade to each unit for the results they produced during the Titans’ 24-point victory over the Bengals on Sunday.
Quarterback: B+
This would be an “A”, but Ryan Tannehill did have an unacceptable interception in the second half and missed a touchdown pass in the first, so that knocks his grade down just a little.
Running backs: A
Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears were awesome in this one. The offensive line finally gave them room to work, and they did the rest. Henry broke tackles with ease, while Spears used his explosive elusiveness to make something out of nothing whenever his number was called.
Wide receivers: C+
The wide receivers didn’t do anything spectacular, but they were reliable when their number was called. This grade undoubtedly would’ve been higher had Tannehill connected with DeAndre Hopkins on a massive play that would’ve added another touchdown to the board.
Tight ends: C
Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle were both reliable in the passing game when the team allowed them to be. This grade could move up or down a bit when I re-watch this game from the All-22 angle and see the effort they gave when blocking.
Offensive line: C+
Realistically, I don’t expect this group to get too many “A’s” or “B’s” this season, but as long as it can be a slightly above-average unit like it was today, the offensive line will be just fine going forward.
Defensive line: A+
The Bengals’ offensive line finished with a 32 percent pass block win rate today, per ESPN analytics. The unit simply didn’t have an answer for Jeffery Simmons and Co., who constantly wreaked havoc and made life miserable for a hobbled Joe Burrow.
EDGE: B-
It wasn’t the type of special performance to write home about for this group, but Arden Key got himself another sack and Trevis Gipson caused a massive turnover with his sack that essentially put the final nail in the coffin toward any second-half comeback for the Bengals.
Inside linebackers: B
Azeez Al-Shaair was all over the field in this one. Even when he didn’t make a tackle, it seemed like the No. 2 jersey was always somewhere close by. His most notable play came on a beautiful tackle for loss in which he read a screen play beautifully. Jack Gibbens also performed well, tallying 10 tackles and knocking down a pass that would’ve given the Bengals a first down had he not gotten his hand in the way.
Cornerbacks: B+
All things considered, this was an awesome day for the Titans’ pass defense, which had been struggling heading into this one. Tennessee’s secondary held the Bengals’ trio of pass-catchers in check for the majority of the game, while also doing its part to eliminate the X plays that had been breaking the Titans’ back. If the secondary can continue this going forward, the defense will finally have the chance to reach its full potential.
Safeties: B+
This group was a red zone interception by Amani Hooker away from receiving an “A.” However, the duo still gets a high grade from me, considering Hooker and Kevin Byard consistently did their part to prevent the big play from occurring, and Byard recovered a fumble.
Specialists: A+
This group has been borderline flawless all year long. Morgan Cox is arguably the best long snapper in the league, Ryan Stonehouse has a hammer for a leg, and Nick Folk is making all of his field goals, including 50-yarders, while also getting touchbacks with ease.
