Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Arden Key was one of the bright spots in Sunday’s deflating 16-15 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Key was a menace throughout this one, and especially in the first half, where he racked up 1.5 sacks and tallied several pressures. Saints left tackle Trevor Penning simply couldn’t handle Key’s speed and explosiveness off the edge.
Buy Titans TicketsKey was also robbed of what should’ve been another sack and turnover that would have led to a Titans defensive touchdown when he knocked the ball loose from Derek Carr in the second quarter.
Unfortunately, the referees ruled it an incomplete pass while also blowing the play dead, which ended any hope for a touchdown. It was then challenged and sent to the booth, where it was shockingly not overturned.
10-point swing on this play
Titans lost by 1 pointpic.twitter.com/9yn4BznyKP
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) September 10, 2023
But let’s get back to Key.
As if his day wasn’t impressive enough, the LSU product finished the week tied for the highest pass-rush win rate among edge rushers, per Next Gen Stats, via ESPN’s Seth Walder.
Top 10 players in pass rush win rate at edge in Week 1 thus far.
(ESPN / NFL Next Gen Stats) pic.twitter.com/naJjFbfUSx
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) September 11, 2023
This isn’t some fluke, either.
The LSU product finished the 2022 season with the third-highest win rate (23.2 percent) among pass-rushers who only rushed the quarterback on a limited basis (fewer than 170 pass-rushes).
For reference, a player needs at least 170 pass-rushes along the edge to qualify for the PRWR leaderboard at the position.
A player needs at least 170 pass rushes with a line or a loss at edge to qualify for the PRWR leaderboard at the position.
Here are the non-qualifying leaders — those between 80 and 169 edge plays with a win or loss — in PRWR at edge in 2022. pic.twitter.com/ciDQeT0xaV
— Seth Walder (@SethWalder) August 7, 2023
Had the former Jaguars edge-rusher played enough pass-rush snaps and still finished with that percentage, it would have been tied for sixth in the NFL.
Key also finished tied for tops in the NFL with his eight pressures, and teammate and defensive lineman Denico Autry was right there with seven.
Most pressures, Week 1
Jalen Carter, Eagles 8
Arden Key, Titans 8
Aidan Hutchinson, Lions 7
Odafe Oweh, Ravens 7
Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins 7
Denico Autry, Titans 7— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) September 11, 2023
It’s become rather evident that Key is going to make a huge impact on a Titans defense that has no shortage of game-changing players on it.
