Last Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns was one of the Titans’ most lopsided and disappointing defeats in recent memory. It’s hardly an exaggeration to say the team couldn’t do anything.
Even star running back Derrick Henry struggled to get anything going, tallying just 20 rushing yards on 11 attempts (1.8 yards per carry).
Buy Titans TicketsMost of the time, Henry was met in the backfield, forcing him to try and make guys miss, and that’s simply not his game.
The former Offensive Player of the Year is at his best when he’s allowed to build up a full head of steam, ultimately forcing defenders to bring the mammoth running back down as he hits the hole.
The Alabama legend was asked on Thursday what he thinks the team has to do to get the offense rolling again, and here is what he had to say:
“It takes all 11 — everybody focused, having the will to get off the line of scrimmage, create space, us finishing runs, guys going in there and digging out safeties and DBs,” Henry said, per Jim Wyatt. “(The Bengals) have had success against us the last couple of games, and we just have to be better focused, get into drives, and everybody do what they are supposed to.”
#Titans RB @KingHenry_2 on finding a way to have success in the run game vs the @bengals. pic.twitter.com/vgmmLIpPau
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 28, 2023
Henry then talked about his motivation heading into the team’s showdown with the Bengals on Sunday.
“I am always motivated to play the next game,” Henry said. “Last weekend, it was rough. We didn’t have much success.. But at the end of the day, I am always going to be locked in, I’m always going to be focused on my job and what I have to do. I am going to go out there and play my best.”
If the Titans’ running back is in fact going to bounce back on Sunday, he’s going to have to do it against a team that has had his number as of late.
Henry has only recorded a combined total of 100 rushing yards over the team’s last two meetings with the Bengals, carrying the ball a total of 37 times for an average of 2.7 yards per carry.
On the bright side, the Bengals have not been good against the run, with Cincinnati surrendering 151.7 rushing yards per game, tied for 29th in the NFL.
In order for the Titans to end the weekend with a 2-2 record, chances are they’re going to need a much better showing from one of the best players in the history of the franchise, and that starts with better blocking upfront.
