Six Key Takeaways from the Titans’ Stumbling Loss to the Bengals
1. Titans Offense Stalls Without Henry
The Titans’ offense, once considered one of the league’s most potent, has stumbled without star running back Derrick Henry. Henry, who suffered a foot injury in Week 8, has been a key cog in the Titans’ game plan. His absence has exposed the Titans’ lack of a consistent running game, forcing quarterback Ryan Tannehill to carry too much of the load.
In the loss to the Bengals, Tannehill was sacked five times and threw an interception. The Titans’ running backs combined for just 72 yards on 20 carries. Without Henry, the Titans’ offense becomes one-dimensional and predictable.
2. Defense Fails to Generate Pressure
The Titans’ defense, once a source of strength, has also struggled in recent weeks. In the loss to the Bengals, the Titans failed to generate much pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow. Burrow was sacked just twice and had plenty of time to throw.
The Titans’ pass rush has been inconsistent all season. They have just 19 sacks through nine games, which ranks near the bottom of the league. Without a consistent pass rush, the Titans’ defense is susceptible to big plays.
3. Special Teams Blunders Cost Titans
The Titans’ special teams unit has also been a major liability this season. In the loss to the Bengals, the Titans allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown and a punt return for a touchdown. These special teams blunders proved costly in the end.
The Titans’ special teams have been plagued by penalties and mistakes all season. They have allowed seven returns for touchdowns this season, which is the most in the league.
4. Vrabel’s Coaching Decisions Questionable
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has also come under fire for his questionable coaching decisions. In the loss to the Bengals, Vrabel opted to go for it on fourth down twice in the first half, both times unsuccessfully. He also called a timeout just before the Bengals kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter, which gave them an extra play to run.
Vrabel’s decision-making has been scrutinized all season. He has been criticized for being too conservative and for not taking enough risks.
5. Titans Lacking Playmakers
The Titans have a lack of playmakers outside of Henry and Tannehill. A.J. Brown, the Titans’ leading receiver, has been injured for much of the season. Julio Jones, another big-name receiver, has been a disappointment.
The Titans need to find more playmakers to take the pressure off of Henry and Tannehill. They need more players who can make big plays and create scoring opportunities.
6. Titans Season on the Brink
The Titans’ season is on the brink after their loss to the Bengals. They are now 6-3 and in danger of missing the playoffs. The Titans have a tough schedule remaining, with games against the Chiefs, Rams, and Saints still to come.
The Titans need to find a way to turn things around quickly. They need to get healthy, play better, and make fewer mistakes. Otherwise, their season will be over before it even gets started.
Conclusion
The Titans’ loss to the Bengals exposed several key weaknesses. They are struggling on offense without Henry, their defense is not generating enough pressure, their special teams are making too many mistakes, and their coaching decisions have been questionable. The Titans need to find a way to fix these issues quickly or their season will be in jeopardy.