Tennessee Titans Defensive Player Grades & Takeaways From Week 4 Win Over Cincinnati Bengals
The Tennessee Titans' defense gave up 27 points to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 in an incredibly disappointing performance, but they rebounded big time against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.
The player grades on the defensive side of the ball from Pro Football Focus represent that flipped script and the change in performance from the Titans.
Top Five Overall Grades
OLB Trevis Gipson - 97.5
LB Jack Gibbens - 76.6
S Amani Hooker - 76.5
OLB Rashad Weaver - 76.0
LB Azeez Al-Shaair - 72.2
Titans second-year linebacker Jack Gibbens continues to be impressive. He doesn't make many flash plays, but Gibbens continues to be consistent. Right now, Gibbens is the fourth-highest graded off-ball linebacker in the NFL.
We also see two non-starting edge rushers in Gipson and Weaver. They will get more opportunities due to the struggles of Harold Landry as he returns from a torn ACL, but Mike Vrabel said on Monday in reference to Gipson, "he'll play more."
Standout Grades
S Amani Hooker - 75.0 Coverage Grade
CB Roger McCreary - 39.9 Coverage Grade
Two ends of the spectrum here. Hooker was everywhere on Sunday and almost got an interception off Joe Burrow on the first drive of the game. Hooker is very adept in coverage and has been a big boost for the Titans this year as someone who can play in man coverage.
McCreary on the other hand had his worst game of the season, grade-wise. The Bengals targeted McCreary while he played in zone over the middle. A tough ask to stop Ja'Marr Chase and Burrow consistently in that area.
NT Teair Tart - 26.8 Run Defense Grade
DL Denico Autry - 35.8 Run Defense Grade
The Bengals had some success early in the game on the ground. Running back Joe Mixon was able to get some things going on the first drive, but the Titans were able to clamp down after. That makes it a surprise to see Tart and Autry graded so poorly here. Tart went down with an injury during the game as well, so something to monitor.
Related stories on Titans-Bengals
- WEEK 4 SNAP COUNTS: The Tennessee Titans beat the Cincinnati Bengals in dominant fashion in Week 4 and here is a breakdown of what stood out from the snap counts in the game. CLICK HERE
- DRIVE CHART: We saw a vastly different offense than last week as the Tennessee Titans put up 24 points in the first half on their way to a 27-3 win. Here is what the Titans' offense did on every drive. CLICK HERE
- WATCH TREVIS GIPSON SACK: The Tennessee Titans' defense continues to hold down the Cincinnati Bengals and this time pass rusher Trevis Gipson got in on the party with a strip-sack on Joe Burrow in the third quarter. CLICK HERE
- WATCH DERRICK HENRY TOUCHDOWN RUN: The Tennessee Titans have taken a 17-3 lead over the Cincinnati Bengals after Derrick Henry ran for an impressive 29-yard touchdown in the middle of the second quarter. CLICK HERE
- WATCH JEFFEREY SIMMONS SACKS BURROW: The Tennessee Titans are into the second quarter and the defense is making plays as Jeffery Simmons sacked Joe Burrow on a critical third down to force a Bengals punt. CLICK HERE
- WATCH RYAN TANNEHILL GET SACKED IN FIRST QUARTER: The Tennessee Titans have begun their game with the Cincinnati Bengals and in the first quarter we saw Ryan Tannehill in a familiar spot — on his back — as the Titans' first drive ended with a sack. CLICK HERE
