While many experts were expecting regression from Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill in 2020, we saw quite the opposite from the reigning NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Tannehill started all 16 games for the Titans and finished with 3,819 yards, 33 passing touchdowns to seven picks, and another 266 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
While the Titans signal-caller did finish with a lower completion percentage (65.5) and QB rating (106.5) than in 2019, the completion rate is still impressive and his QB rating was the fifth-best in the NFL.
Unfortunately, we’re about to add fuel to the fire of the Tannehill haters out there as we take a look at the strength of schedule the former No. 8 overall pick faced this season.
Per Pro Football Focus, Tannehill faced the seventh-easiest strength of schedule among quarterbacks in terms of pass defenses faced.
Final strength of schedule for QBs in terms of opposing pass defenses.
The value on the x-axis can be interpreted as the number you have to add to the QBs' EPA/pass play figure to get a defense-adjusted version. In particular, negative numbers mean an easier schedule. pic.twitter.com/cX1AGsgYXM
— Moo (@PFF_Moo) January 5, 2021
Of course, the haters will say “well, of course Tannehill was good this season, he had an easy schedule.”
To that, I’d say Tannehill was sensational this season and rarely stubbed his toe against poor opposing pass defenses. In short, he did what he was supposed to do with the hand he was dealt.
At this point, the only thing left for Tannehill to prove is that he can help the Titans make it to the Super Bowl after the team fell one game short of it last season.
That quest starts this Sunday in Nashville against the Baltimore Ravens.
