The Tennessee Titans’ defense has rightly caught a lot of criticism this season.
The unit ranks in the bottom half of the league in several different categories, including takeaways (32nd), quarterback hurries (31st), opposing quarterback rating (31st), quarterback pressures (30th), yards per play (25th), yards allowed (22nd), passing yards allowed per game (21st), rushing yards allowed per game (17th) and points allowed per game (16th).
However, there is one critical area where the Titans defense is thriving.
According to My Inside Edge, Tennessee’s red zone defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL in completion percentage allowed. Tennessee has allowed just 42 percent of red zone passes to be completed (16-of-38), which is 14 percent lower than the league average of 56 percent.
Say what you want about the Titans’ defense, but that is an impressive feat considering how often it allows teams to reach the red zone.
The Titans have a bend-but-don’t-break defense, and this is just further proof that not everything is broken in Tennessee, even though it certainly feels that way.
Now, if only the Titans could have that level of success when the opposing offense is passing the ball outside the 20-yard line. Unfortunately, that’s wishful thinking at this point of the season.
