What went wrong for the Titans defense in Indianapolis
NASHVILLE — Ever since Mike Vrabel took over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans in 2018, Tennessee’s defense has been some thing you can rely on. But in Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans' defense failed in more ways than one. As Vrabel said after the game, “if you don't score in the […]
NASHVILLE — Ever since Mike Vrabel took over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans in 2018, Tennessee’s defense has been some thing you can rely on. But in Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Titans' defense failed in more ways than one.
As Vrabel said after the game, “if you don't score in the red zone, and you don't stop the run, and you don't get off on third down, you're probably going to lose."
Whether it was surrendering 165 rushing yards to Zack Moss (his career high), allowing the Colts to convert on 8-of-13 on third downs, or the explosive passing plays and penalties, Tennessee had a defensive let down on Sunday.
Vrabel said after the game that some of the defensive issues were caused by players trying a bit too hard to make plays and getting away from their assignments.
"I know there were some guys out of their gaps. Guys jumping around, trying to make plays," said Vrabel of Tennessee's run defense. "What we've got to do is set an edge, build a wall, swarm, and tackle. I know there were some gaps to the wall."
As far as the secondary is concerned, Vrabel said that cornerback Kristian Fulton had his eyes in the backfield too often. "We can't go looking for interceptions in man coverage," said Vrabel about Fulton getting beat. Tennessee considered pulling Fulton from the game at one point.
The Titans' secondary lacking discipline isn't too big of a surprise. Explosive passing plays and eyes in the backfield has been a problem all year long. But Tennessee's defensive line being so ineffective is concerning. Watching Zack Moss run for 165 on 7.2 yards per carry really makes you realize how important Teair Tart (did not play) is to this team.
But perhaps that's just what the Titans are in 2023. It has now been five weeks and we have yet to get off the roller coaster and see any consistency. Just when you think you're out, the Titans pull you back in. Then when you think things are looking up, they disappoint you again.
"We gotta win some games on the road. If we want to get to where we're trying to get to, we have to win those type of games on the road," said Titans safety Kevin Byard postgame. "We've shown that we're two totally different teams at home or on the road. If we keep winning one and losing one, that's how you end up 8-9 or 9-8. That's not where we want to be."
Now sitting at 2-3 and in last place in the AFC South, next week's matchup with the Baltimore Ravens in London couldn't be bigger for the Titans.
A win gets Tennessee back to .500 with a bye week to get healthy and reset. A loss and the Titans will be sitting at 2-4 with a big hole to dig themsleves out of in the second half.
Kristian Fulton is making excuses that nobody wants to hear
Things keep getting worse when it comes to Titans CB Kristian Fulton.
