A look back at a most unusual Titans year: 20 numbers for the 2020 season

By John Glennon

This was one of those Titans seasons that left plenty of fans wondering just how to feel at year’s end.

There were accomplishments that couldn’t be ignored, like the AFC South crown, the 11 regular-season victories and an offense that dazzled more often than not.

But after the bar was set high with a 2019 run to the AFC Championship, it felt like a letdown to lose in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs – especially as the home team and higher seed. And the season-long struggles of the defense didn’t help matters either.

Here’s a quick by-the-numbers look back at the Titans’ year, 20 numbers for a very unusual 2020 season:

1 –

The number of full practices the Titans had over a two-week period – due to a COVID-19 outbreak – before thumping Buffalo 42-16 on a Tuesday night.

1.5% –

The career-best interception rate this year for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He threw just seven interceptions in 481 passing attempts, compared to 33 touchdowns. Among NFL quarterbacks with at least that many passing attempts, only two – Aaron Rodgers (five) and Patrick Mahomes (six) – threw fewer interceptions.

4 –

The number of touchdown passes surrendered by cornerback Johnathan Joseph this season, tied for the team lead despite the fact he played just eight games here.

5 –

The approximate diameter – in inches – of an NFL goalpost. Sam Sloman’s field-goal attempt against the Texans bounced off a goalpost and over the crossbar, giving the Titans a victory and an AFC South title.

8 –

The number of NFL running backs who’ve topped 2,000 rushing yards in a single season after Derrick Henry accomplished the feat this season. Others: Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Jamal Lewis, Terrell Davis, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson and O.J. Simpson.

9 –

The number of NFL receivers who’ve totaled at least 2,000 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in their first two seasons. A.J. Brown accomplished the feat in 2020, joining the likes of Randy Moss, Jerry Rice and others.

$9.5 million –

The amount of guaranteed money the Titans included in the one-year deal for linebacker Vic Beasley, who played five games for the team – posting three tackles and zero sacks – before getting released.

12 –

Number of years since the Titans had won double-digit games, captured a division title and hosted a playoff game.

13 –

The number of combined players – from the Titans’ practice squad and active roster – that were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list during a 15-day stretch from Sept. 24 to Oct. 8. The group included: Greg Mabin, Beau Brinkley, DaQuan Jones, Tommy Hudson, Kamalei Correa, Kristian Fulton, Adam Humphries, Cam Batson, Jeffery Simmons, Khari Blasingame, Corey Davis and MyCole Pruitt.

14 –

The number of passes defensed by cornerback Malcolm Butler, tied for the eighth-best total in the league.

19 –

The number of sacks recorded by the Titans’ defense, the lowest in franchise history for a 16-game season — seven sacks fewer than the 2006 team, which previously held the record.

48 –

The league-leading number of runs over 10 yards produced by Derrick Henry. The Vikings’ Dalvin Cook was next at 46. No other back had more than 35.

52% –

The percentage of successful third-down conversions the Titans’ defense surrendered this season. Not only was it the worst in the league, but the worst in the Pro Football Reference database, which dates back to 1991.

71.4% –

The Titans’ field-goal kicking percentage, after connecting on 20-of-28 attempts. That was over 13 percentage points lower than the league average of 84.6.

74 –

The number of players who suited up for the Titans this season – a franchise high.

132.2 –

The NFL quarterback rating on throws targeting A.J. Brown during the 2020 season. That was fourth-highest in the league among receivers with at least 50 targets. Fellow Titans wide receiver Corey Davis finished eighth-highest at 126.3.

313 –

The number of snaps (including special teams) for rookie wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine this season. An undrafted free agent, Westbrook-Ikhine played more snaps than any of the Titans’ drafted rookies this year. The drafted rookies included: tackle Isaiah Wilson (four snaps), cornerback Kristian Fulton (204 snaps), running back Darrynton Evans (67 snaps), defensive lineman Larrell Murchison (182 snaps), defensive back Chris Jackson (287 snaps) and quarterback Cole McDonald (zero snaps).

437 –

The number of offensive snaps for third-string left tackle David Quessenberry, who – because of injuries – played more than first-stringer Taylor Lewan (239) and second-stringer Ty Sambrailo (414).

491 –

The number of points scored by the Titans this season, the franchise’s highest total since 1961.

1,490 –

Yards after contact for Derrick Henry, which bettered the overall rushing-yard totals for every back in the league aside from Minnesota’s Dalvin Cook (1,557).

14,029 –

The attendance for the Titans’ home playoff contest against Baltimore. It was the largest crowd of the season because of COVID-19 protocols.

Author: John GlennonMulti-media journalist with extensive expertise covering the NFL, NHL, professional soccer and more, including the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators for The Tennessean with articles, videos and podcasts. Strengths include the ability to write quick, concise and thorough analysis, as well as the ability to uncover unique human-interest stories. In working as a reporter, John developed skills that extend beyond the sports journalism world. An efficient and effective communicator, John is confident, calm and productive under deadline pressure and knows the power of the written word. John brings to Broadway Sports a work ethic second to none, an intellectual hunger, and an ability to inform and entertain readers, viewers and listeners. Reach out directly to John at: