Music City Miracles
The Titans simply don’t apply consistent pressure on opposing QBs
The Tennessee Titans entered Sunday’s contest versus the Cincinnati Bengals with an opportunity to apply pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow. An already lackluster Bengals offensive line was without several starting-caliber blockers. But as per usual, the Titans’ pass rush put forth an embarrassing effort.
The Bengals strung together a nine-play scoring drive on their second possession that tied the contest at seven apiece. Burrow was facing a 1st-and-goal from Tennessee’s six-yard line. After evading various defenders in the pocket, Burrow located running back Chase Brown for a six-yard touchdown. Cincinnati’s quarterback had 9.01 seconds to throw on the play, according to data collected by Paul Kuharsky. That was the third time this campaign a QB has had at least nine seconds to throw a touchdown.
It was the second time Dennard Wilson’s underwhelming pass rush made the list. New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw a touchdown versus the Titans on the final play of regulation to force overtime that took an astounding 11.8 seconds. The Titans were fortunate to win that game in overtime.
The Titans sacked Burrow just once despite them starting an experienced left tackle. Harold Landry took 3.9 seconds to record that quarterback takedown, according to Next Gen Stats. That’s above the league-average time.
All four of the Titans’ main pass rushers averaged at least four yards of separation from Burrow on their pass-rushing snaps. It’s worth acknowledging that’s well within the league average of 4.57 seconds. Rookie defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat was consistently closest at 4.04 yards. Sweat of course recovered a fumble. Arden Key and Jeffery Simmons were an average of 4.24 and 4.21 yards away from Burrow respectively, and Landry was a below-average 5.2 yards. By comparison, the Bengals had three pass rushers that averaged 3.67 yards or less when pressuring Tennessee’s quarterbacks.
Tennessee’s pass rush has been an abomination all season long. They’ll enter a critical offseason with a massive need at that premium position (in addition to quarterback, wide receiver, right tackle, and maybe head coach and GM too!). Addressing the EDGE position via the 2025 NFL Draft is a borderline necessity with both Landry and Key as potential offseason cap casualties.
The upcoming draft is loaded with quality first-round rushers. Tennessee’s options will include Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Georgia’s pair of Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker, and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.
