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Titans at 8-2: 'The way we played, we are very beatable'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s a new version of the same thing every week for the Titans really, and it’d be a fun game for all of us covering it to write about it without using some form of the word resiliency in doing so.

Even Mike Vrabel busted on us for asking versions of the same questions, but when they are playing versions of the same game that’s how it works.

Jayon Brown and Janoris Jenkins

© Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

These 8-2 Titans beat the Saints 23-21 thanks to a well-defended 2-point conversion try from the 7-yard line that could have pulled New Orleans even with 1:16 left. New Orleans was in need of the conversion because its kicker, Brian Johnson, earlier missed two PATs. They were at the 7 instead of the 2 because of a false start by Adam Trautman.

The good thing about the Titans is that they are smartly under no illusions about how good they are. The team that won Sunday probably wouldn’t have won a playoff game.

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Scouting preview: More pass-rush opportunity for Titans' front vs. Saints

Scouting preview: More pass-rush opportunity for Titans' front vs. Saints

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Saints will be a different matchup for the Titans this week than what they have faced over the past month.

The past five Tennessee opponents had established players in a defined system offensively and defensively.

The Saints are unpredictable because their personnel has become unpredictable due to injuries at key positions.

Ryan Tannehill

No Jameis Winston,  Michael Thomas or Alvin Kamara due to injuries, and the retired Drew Brees is a distant memory.

But they do have a few consistent defensive playmakers in Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis and Marshon Lattimore

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Titans' cornerback depth is proving itself, unlike a year ago

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When the Titans blew up the cornerback position in the offseason, their intention was to let 2020 second-rounder Kristian Fulton grow and surround him with fresh options.

As Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson left, Janoris Jenkins and Caleb Farley arrived.

Elijah Molden

Elijah Molden defends Michael Pittman/ © Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

But during the team’s terrific month-long tear through four high-quality opponents, Jenkins, Farley and Fulton didn’t play one snap together. Fulton’s been out since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 5 and Farley suffered a season-ending ACL tear after 28 snaps a week later.

Like last season, the Titans had to piece together a patchwork secondary because of injuries. This time, the team has gotten far better results.

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Titans' resiliency reaching new heights

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a highly unpredictable league, teams often have a sameness to them.

Through nine games, the Tennessee Titans certainly do.

Yes, their identity has taken form and has been pretty consistent: A run-based offense, with successful play-action, now figuring things out without Derrick Henry; a burgeoning defense keyed around a front four generating regular pressure.

Ryan Tannehill

Pool photo/ Tennessee Titans, Donald Page

But more than that, their resilience and adaptability are the things.

“We’re just a resilient bunch, that’s what we’ve been saying all year,” Kevin Byard said. “Some games, the offense doesn’t play very well and the defense has to hold it down and vice versa. It’s all about being a team. …The only stats that matter are 7-2.”

Mike Vrabel’s teams have shown those qualities before, for sure. But the adversity has reached new heights and the confidence and consistency of the response have been the best yet.

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Technical improvements showing up for Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Quick-release quarterbacks have increased the value of interior pressure in recent years, and the Titans got a ton of it in Los Angeles, keying the win over the Rams.

Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry stomped around Los Angeles’ backfield with regularity, causing all sorts of problems for Matthew Stafford, a quarterback right in the middle of many MVP conversations.

Denico Autry and Jeffery Simmons

Courtesy Tennessee Titans

Simmons dragged Stafford down three times in the first half, with four total hits and three tackles for a loss. Autry recorded 1.5 sacks a tackle for a loss and three QB hits while batting down two passes at the line.

They were the main forces of disruption in the first game where the Titans’ offense had to figure things out without Derrick Henry against another tough defense. Tennessee’s D, a laughingstock a year ago, put on a massive primetime performance.

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Scouting review: How Jeffery Simmons roughed up the Rams

Scouting review: How Jeffery Simmons roughed up the Rams

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Sometimes the best offense is a scoring defense.

In Los Angeles, the Titans created pressure, turnovers and disrupted the Rams and their normal flow offensive flow.

Jeffery Simmons and Matthew Stafford

© Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans’ defense won this game in a good example of a game plan that was executed by the performance of the players.

It all started with the defensive line and in particular the two defensive tackles, Jeffrey Simmons and Denico Autry.

Autry started the pressure, hurries and sacks and Simmons seemed to get into a rhythm with a mix of his bull rush and inside gap penetration. He also finished off a sack on a twist and stunt inside.

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In L.A., swarming Titans' defense led the way to another surprise

In L.A., swarming Titans' defense led the way to another surprise

INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The big names are really on offense, starting with the shelved Derrick Henry, but with A.J. Brown and Julio Jones and Ryan Tannehill also as headliners and Taylor Lewan and Rodger Saffold certainly notable too.

The money is there as well, with five of the top eight cap hits on the 2021 Tennessee Titans on offense.

Every NFL team aims for balance, but most are better on one side of the ball. That’s certainly been the case for the Titans since Tannehill took over as quarterback in Week 6 in 2019 and Henry really got chugging consistently later that season.

Jeffery Simmons and Matthew Stafford

© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Last year’s defense was generally a miserable unit, allowing opponents to convert over half their third downs and sacking quarterbacks a grand total of 19 times.

But in completing a marvelous month with a 28-16 win over the Rams, the Titans defense did the hard work against a team that averaged 31 points.

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Reacting to the first we've heard from Adrian Peterson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Adrian Peterson paused for a second to calculate and seemed confident he knew the eight-game records of the last two teams he played on. 

He missed a bit, but his point was on target.

Joining the 6-2, AFC-leading Tennessee Titans is a whole different deal than being part of 1-7 Washington in 2019 or 3-5 Detroit in 2020.

Adrian Peterson

The smiling Peterson, the fifth-leading rusher of all-time with 14,820 yards, spoke after his third practice in Nashville.

He's part of the Titans' plan for replacing Derrick Henry as they try to maintain a run-heavy identity and a similar offense to what's gotten them to where they are.

He's not yet spoken to Henry but said now that things have slowed down a big he intends to reach out and see how the fellow Heisman Trophy winner is doing after Tuesday's foot surgery. [Unlocked]

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