Titans culture is proving to be stronger than the adversity
The Tennessee Titans have faced plenty of adversity to begin the 2022 season. Outside of their 0-2 record to begin the year, the Titans have been victimized by serious injuries to many of their impact players for the second consecutive season. Since the beginning of September, the Titans have lost their starting LT (Taylor Lewan) […]
The Tennessee Titans have faced plenty of adversity to begin the 2022 season.
Outside of their 0-2 record to begin the year, the Titans have been victimized by serious injuries to many of their impact players for the second consecutive season.
Since the beginning of September, the Titans have lost their starting LT (Taylor Lewan) and their best pass rusher (Harold Landry) to season ending ACL injuries. They've also placed their most recent first round draft pick on Injured Reserve, and are currently playing without five regular defensive starters (Landry, Dupree, Cunningham, Hooker, and Molden).
Tennessee has faced the adversity of an entire season over the last five weeks, and while it may not be getting any easier, the Titans have still found a way to win three straight and reach the top of their division heading into the bye week.
The Titans 24-17 win over the Washington Commanders was, in many ways, a microcosm of their season.
After an ugly start, the Titans rode Derrick Henry (132 total yards, 2 TD) to offensive success before stalling out in the second half. They made sloppy mistakes and surrendered a few explosive plays that nearly cost them, but with their backs against the wall, David Long intercepted Carson Wentz, and the Titans found way.
There is so much that needs fixing, and yet they overcame the challenges and the ugliness to get a win. That's exactly what Titans culture is all about.
Titans All-Pro safety Kevin Byard echoed that statement to the media following the game, thinking back to the mindset he had when things were at rock bottom:
"I think back to that Buffalo game, when we got blown out and kind of embarrassed on national TV," Titans safety Kevin Byard said. "A lot of people kind of counted us out, saying, 'What's going on with the Titans?'"
"Our culture is based upon what happens when adversity hits," Byard continued. "We hit adversity obviously earlier going 0-2, but three straight wins, regardless of how they come." … "There's obviously some things we have to correct, but one thing I am super-proud of is this group has no quit. Guys are gonna fight to the end."
The Titans are definitely not above criticism. There is a laundry list of issues that are worthy of concern moving forward. I suppose the silver lining, though, is exactly what Byard said.
Titans culture (specifically Mike Vrabel culture), has always been about how you respond to the day-to-day challenges of the NFL (a loss, an injury, public criticism, etc.). With almost everything going wrong to start 2022, the Titans have now responded by getting right back in the race.
Without major changes, the Titans success may not be sustainable, but to this point, they've given everyone reason to believe they will find a way. Even if the answers are unclear.
That winning culture has been stronger than whatever adversity has come their way before, and as long as the players don't quit, the fans shouldn't either.
Image via Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
