Two games into 2020, here's why the Titans' rushing attack isn't steamrolling opponents

By John Glennon

Ahead by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter on Sunday, the Titans found themselves facing third-and-1 at their own 29, the kind of situation that begged for monstrous running back Derrick Henry to plow through the line and pick up a first down.

The Titans did indeed feed Henry, pitching him the ball as he swept left, but the play quickly turned into disaster.

Jags defensive back D.J. Hayden eluded Adam Humphries at the line and then forced left tackle Taylor Lewan backward, disrupting Henry's track. Unblocked Jacksonville middle linebacker Joe Schobert also shot through the line, diving at Henry's feet. Jags linebacker Myles Jack flew right around left guard Rodger Saffold's attempted block and applied the finishing touch, dropping Henry for a two-yard loss and forcing the Titans to punt.

It was a single play, but one that showed the Titans' running attack isn't quite performing up to the high standard – the very high standard – it set in 2019, when Henry won the rushing title with 1,540 yards. Though Henry finished with a respectable total of 84 yards against Jacksonville, he was held to two yards or less on 13 of 25 carries.

"It's about everybody"

“We gotta' coach better, we gotta' block better, we gotta' run better, so, it ain't about Derrick, it ain't about the coaching, it ain't about . . .

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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: