The Tennessee Titans desperately need a bounce-back performance from their offense and defense in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals if they want to avoid a 1-3 start to the season
Tennessee’s offensive line has been disappointing through three games, both in run-blocking and pass protection. Left tackle Andre Dillard has been the biggest problem upfront and things won’t get any easier for him this week against Bengals stud pass-rusher, Trey Hendrickson.
Buy Titans TicketsThe Titans’ secondary has been the biggest problem on defense, with the unit routinely getting burnt by opposing passing attacks. This is also a terrible matchup for the secondary, as the Bengals sport arguably the best wide receiver trio in the NFL with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
But there are ways the Titans can try and thwart the clear advantages the Bengals have — that is, if they can actually execute consistently.
We’ll talk about it in the keys to victory below.
Fast, relentless pressure (and finish)
With the way the secondary has played and with the kind of matchup it has to deal with against the Bengals’ elite wide receiver trio, the Titans’ pass-rush has to do big things in order to avoid this one getting out of hand.
That means getting pressure early, often, and throughout the entire course of the game, and actually finishing, something the Titans had issues with last week.
Tennessee’s front is certainly capable of doing so, and the Bengals aren’t full-proof upfront, with the offensive line sporting the third-worst pass-block win rate in the NFL going into Week 4.
The problem, of course, is that the Bengals may draw up a game plan that has Joe Burrow getting the ball out quickly if his calf isn’t 100 percent, which is what they did in Week 3.
Burrow did practice in full all week, though, so it would appear he’s at least feeling better and there’s a chance the Bengals will move to a more normal approach.
One way or the other, Tennessee’s front must affect Burrow all game long or else the secondary will have major issues all over the field.
Help Andre Dillard as much as possible
Both tackles might need help in this game with Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard coming off the edge for the Bengals. But Dillard will especially need it in a matchup against the better pass-rusher in Hendrickson.
Of course, there’s only so much the Titans do to help out their tackles since that limits the amount of players they can send out to catch passes and the embattled left tackle has to be able to hold his own at some points.
However, the reality is Dillard hasn’t shown he can hold his own against a top pass-rusher and the Titans simply cannot allow Hendrickson to blow up the game like Myles Garrett did last week.
Tennessee will likely deploy Trevon Wesco alongside Dillard when they call for help, but the team also elevated Kevin Rader from the practice squad as another option.
No matter who it is, Dillard will need assistance, and about as often as possible if the Titans want their passing attack to get off the ground on Sunday.
Get creative, especially on early downs
The Titans have been abysmal on early downs so far this year, which is setting them up with second- and third-and-longs that the offense cannot overcome, mostly thanks to lackluster pass protection.
Part of the problem is offensive coordinator Tim Kelly being predictable with his play-calling. An example of that is how he’s using Derrick Henry, who is being run into a stacked box of defenders that is fully ready for the obvious runs, and the offensive line simply isn’t good enough to block for that.
Tennessee needs to move to a more pass-heavy approach on early downs and utilize play-action, also, so the Bengals can’t completely sell out to stop the run. Adding to that, get Henry involved more in the passing game on early downs, which will give Cincinnati’s defense something else to think about when he’s on the field.
I’d also like to see more designed rollouts to keep Ryan Tannehill from being a sitting duck behind his questionable offensive line. Also, Kelly should be calling for pass plays that get the ball out of Tannehill’s hands quickly as another means to help his offensive line.
