Tennessee Titans: How the Passing Game Is Taking Derrick Henry's Game to the Next Level
The reigning rushing champion is only getting scarier for the Tennessee Titans. Derrick Henry has kicked off his 2021 season the same way that he performed throughout 2020. There's one big change so far, though. Henry is getting much more involved in the passing game. Seems like a pretty good idea, right? Keep in mind […]
The reigning rushing champion is only getting scarier for the Tennessee Titans. Derrick Henry has kicked off his 2021 season the same way that he performed throughout 2020. There's one big change so far, though. Henry is getting much more involved in the passing game.
Seems like a pretty good idea, right?
Keep in mind that he is attempting to become the first 2,000-yard rusher in back-to-back seasons in NFL history. He is absolutely on that pace as of right now.
His rushing production has remained almost identical in the first three weeks of the season, but Todd Downing and Ryan Tannehill are giving him more opportunities to catch the ball and make plays. He's done exactly that. It is especially efficient because of how defenses prepare to stop the downhill running game that he leads.
Going forward, the Titans must keep Henry as a part of the passing game. Swapping in backup RB Jeremy McNichols on every passing down only hinders the unpredictability of the play-calling. McNichols has played well so far in his limited playing time, but Derrick Henry is Derrick Henry. His ability to take screens for long gains is a very useful aspect of the offense that was unexpected entering the season.
The next couple of weeks may be especially interesting when it comes to the usage of Henry. If A.J. Brown and Julio Jones both miss multiple games, he may be thrown the ball even more often. The matchups against the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars only make that possibility more enticing for his overall production.
Henry's increased incorporation into the passing game doesn't hinder how much the Titans can lean on him in the running game either. He should touch the ball 25+ times weekly regardless. If a few of those are through the air, it only makes the offense more dangerous and versatile.
Featured image via USA TODAY-Sports
