One wild stat proves that the Titans can beat anybody in the NFL
Since, Mike Vrabel was hired as head coach in 2018, the Tennessee Titans (1-2) have made a habit out of playing to the level of their competition. Seemingly every year the Titans find a way to win a game they shouldn’t while also losing to a vastly inferior opponent in the same season. With a […]
Since, Mike Vrabel was hired as head coach in 2018, the Tennessee Titans (1-2) have made a habit out of playing to the level of their competition.
Seemingly every year the Titans find a way to win a game they shouldn’t while also losing to a vastly inferior opponent in the same season. With a loss to the New York Giants in the season opener, Tennessee has already managed to cross off the latter.
This Titans tendency could be attributed to the level of parity in the NFL. Anybody can beat anybody on any given Sunday.
However, for Vrabel’s Titans there’s more to the story.
Under Vrabel’s direction, the Titans have pulled off some stunning upsets. No matter how Tennessee’s talent stacks up against an opponent’s, if the game is close late in the fourth quarter the Titans typically have the upper hand.
In his fifth year as head coach, Vrabel has a remarkable 21-11 record in games decided by one score.
Analysts refer to these games as coin flips. For most teams, many believe these results balance out. You’ll often hear the metaphor: Water always finds its level.
But Vrabel’s Titans teams are comfortable and composed in this position. When crunch time arrives, the Titans answer the bell more times than not.
Look no further than Ryan Tannehill, who most would consider to be an average NFL quarterback. In 48 games with the Titans, Tannehill has 13 game-winning drives and 10 fourth-quarter comebacks to his name.
To put that in perspective, Tannehill had an equal number of game-winning drives in 88 starts with the Miami Dolphins.
Vrabel’s system is built to win tight games. Titans captain and All-Pro safety Kevin Byard echoed that sentiment on Monday via 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will.
“Mike Vrabel brought in a blue-collar culture to Tennessee. We’re not going to score 50 points all the time… We know that most games are going to be close.”
For this year’s Titans, winning the close games will make all of the difference. Tennessee will likely have to pull out another late victory in Week 4 as the team hits the road to face the Indianapolis Colts.
Featured image via Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports
