One of the things that head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen constantly emphasize is the need to limit the amount of backbreaking explosive plays the Tennessee Titans’ defense gives up.
In the run game, anything over a 10-yard gain qualifies as an explosive play, while anything over 20 yards through the air is considered an explosive or “X” play, as well.
Tennessee has certainly improved when it comes to preventing the big plays in the passing game. Unfortunately, the complete opposite can be said when it comes to stopping the opposing team’s rushing attack.
Early in the year, the Titans’ secondary was allowing an X play on what felt like every other drive. Now, it’s the run defense that is severely struggling to prevent them from happening.
In total, Tennessee has allowed 24 explosive plays in each of these areas (48 in total). To add some context to those numbers, the Titans’ defense has given up the 12th-most amount of explosive plays on the year, according to Arjun Menon.
On average, Tennessee is allowing six explosive plays per game, with three on the ground and three through the air.
Most explosive plays allowed through 9 weeks of the season. I added a per play column for run/pass and overall to add a little more context. Very surprised by where Buffalo and Cincy show up here pic.twitter.com/0PIqMew1QH
— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) November 7, 2023
If the Titans’ defense is ever going to live up to its preseason expectations, it must find a way to force offenses to methodically drive down the field instead of allowing gains in chunks.
Only time will tell whether or not we’ll see improvements over the second half of the season, but if not, this once-promising defense is destined for mediocrity, at best.
