The Tennessee Titans’ offense has seen major improvement with quarterback Ryan Tannehill under center over Marcus Mariota.
But that’s not the only thing that’s propelled the team to its current level of success.
Running back Derrick Henry, who finished the regular season out by securing the NFL rushing title over the Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb, has been a huge factor at the heart of the team’s ground attack.
“I think Derrick trains and prepares to be able to handle that load, to carry that load,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said. “He has a certain skillset, with size and strength and speed and durability – those are all great qualities for a running back in January. So he’ll do everything that he has to to get ready and to do whatever it is that we ask him to do in the game plan.
“He’s very unique – there’s not that many running backs in the league like Derrick, because there’s not that many players in college that are like Derrick, and by that I just mean a bigger tailback.”
The Patriots practically eliminated the Titans’ passing offense on Tennessee’s 20-13 road win, but couldn’t come up with an answer for Henry.
Henry ended the contest with a total of 34 carries for 182 yards and a touchdown.
The former Alabama rusher led the league with 1,540 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 303 rushing attempts and 102.7 rushing yards per game during the regular season.
Henry and the Titans will take on the Baltimore Ravens in the next round of the postseason on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. CST in M&T Bank Stadium.
