The Tennessee Titans' greatest team advantage through six weeks
NASHVILLE — For all the complaints at the start of the Tennessee Titans (3-2) season, offense has been atop the list. Anyone who has watched them through five games completely understands why. Aesthetics, however, are not as important as efficiency. That is where Tennessee's offense under coordinator Todd Downing thrives this season. Per NFL Research, the […]
NASHVILLE — For all the complaints at the start of the Tennessee Titans (3-2) season, offense has been atop the list. Anyone who has watched them through five games completely understands why.
Aesthetics, however, are not as important as efficiency.
That is where Tennessee's offense under coordinator Todd Downing thrives this season. Per NFL Research, the Titans offense leads the league in red-zone efficiency (12 TDs in 13 possessions, 92.3%). In each of the past three NFL seasons, the most efficient red-zone offense during the regular season (TEN 2019, GB 2020, SF 2021) advanced to the conference championship game.
Plenty will happen between now and that particular point of the postseason, but Tennessee has the tools to succeed.
Titans offense needs more opportunities
While prowess inside of 20 yards is critical, getting there with greater frequency is the Titans biggest struggle.
"There have been too many three-and-outs," said coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday. "We have talked about this, you are going to have to have some X-plays. You are going to have to have some third-down conversions and you are going to have to avoid the critical mistakes and the critical penalties. That is how you move the ball into the red zone."
Coming off the bye week, Downing's offense has had 54 offensive possessions (31st) thus far this season.
That number is skewed, obviously, with 28 teams having played in six contests this season to the Tennessee's five. Scoring percentage on those drives is also not a clear indicator of success. For example, the Las Vegas Raiders (1-4) lead the league this season, cashing in on 53.1% of their total offensive possessions.
As fas as points per drive, the Titans are currently a below-average team. Their 1.78 points per drive currently ranks them 19th in the league.
Improving their average starting field position on special teams would certainly serve Tennessee well. Downing's offense gets the ball generally gets the ball with a general starting point of 27.6 yards (20th) into their own territory. Facing the Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) seventh-ranked scoring defense this week will prove equally as tough of a test.
The Titans are not your conventional high-powered offense, but they're surviving by scoring on the opportunities that they get.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
