Titans D Feasts On Snack Pack

by KlyVertigo | 7 years ago | 0 Comments

After a whirlwind of a game in week 8 against the Bengals, the Titans hoped to calm the waters as they hosted the Green Bay Packers for week 9. As desired, this week the Titans defense actually decided to show up and play this game. They finished off the pack with a score of 37 - 16.

As mentioned, the story of this week is the Titans defense who decided that they weren't going to be pushed around by another NFC North opponent. The defense played well, led by second-year middle linebacker Brent Brackins who finished the day with 12 total tackles, one sack, and one interception. The defense caused four turnovers on the day including a fumble return for a touchdown by Frank Wansley, who also had an interception and a pass deflection. The Titans held the Pack to under 70 total rushing yards and disrupted Aaron Rodgers all game long, with four sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles while keeping him to a pedestrian passer rating of 75.

Tennessee success wasn't all because of their defense. The offense played extremely efficient on the day and made no mistakes, which made it an easy win for the Titans. Marcus Mariota finished with 198 yards on only 13 attempts, finishing with one touchdown and no interceptions. The burden of the offense was carried on the backs of the three-headed rushing attack, A.K.A. the Law Firm. Levy, Cloud, & Searcy finished the day with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

Off the field, the Titans made some personnel moves right before the close of the trade deadline. The moves were expected by those who follow the Titans closely, as the year of contract reckoning for the defensive lineman was coming. This season their two lynchpin linemen, DE Jurrell Casey and DT Josh Nielsen, are up for resign but the organization has not been clandestine about moving on without them. The Titans traded Nielsen and a seventh round pick to the Panthers for a second round pick. They drafted DT Chance McCauley this season with the goal of starting him soon, and his time is now. The Titans also traded their second, fifth, and sixth round picks to the Bengals for OLB Juan Byars. Byars has all the tools to be a strong presence on the line, and the Titans moved him to the right end position with the goal of replacing Casey come the offseason.

The Titans close out there matchups with the NFC North in week 10 when they host the winless Chicago Bears.