Tennessee Titans Who Must Improve in Week 2 Matchup with Los Angeles Chargers
We saw some great performances from the Tennessee Titans in Week 1, but it is fair to say we saw our fair share of disappointing ones as well. With the Titans starting off the season with a loss and having a difficult stretch ahead, they will need some of the disappointments to turn their games around against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ryan Tannehill
Well, this one is obvious, right. At this point it is low-hanging fruit to go after Tannehill. Instead, focus on what's ahead. In front of Tannehill is a Chargers defense that gave up 466 passing yard to the Miami Dolphins in Week 1.
Now, we have to be honest and admit that the expectation for Tannehill can't be nearly 500 yards, but it is certainly fair to expect Tannehill to perform drastically better against coverage that is not on par with the Titans' Week 1 opponent, the New Orleans Saints.
If Tannehill doesn't bounce back, calls for his job will get even louder. Whether it be from the fan base or the media. The veteran gun slinger needs to turn it around immediately and he should have the opportunity to do so.
Andre Dillard
Protecting Tannehill in Week 1 was a tale of two halves. In the first half, the Titans offensive line struggled to give Tannehill room to make throws, but that changed later in the game as the offensive line settled.
However, Dillard struggled the most of any of the Titans' linemen in pass protection overall. He gave up no sacks, but did allow six pressures and had defenders in Tannehill's lap at times, being driven back by a bull rush.
Dillard was a lottery ticket for a Titans team that needed to rebuild it's offensive line this offseason. A former first-round talent from 2019 looking to prove he is still capable of what scouts thought he could do coming out of college. The Titans didn't commit major long-term money, so it was worth it for both sides.
If Dillard wants to prove himself and the Titans right though, he needs to come out faster in Week 2. He will have a tougher matchup this week in the pair of Chargers edge rushers, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. He'll need to play better than he did against the Saints.
Harold Landry(Shane Bowen)
It was Landry's first game back after missing all of 2022 with a torn ACL that occurred a week before the season was set to start. He deserves some grace and some hiccups should be expected, but the Titans will need a better performance against the Chargers.
Justin Herbert at quarterback makes it a tough day that will require discipline and athleticism. Landry can't be overaggressive in his rush or he will lose contain on Herbert and allow him to scramble. He will also have to set the edge against a Chargers' rushing attack that went for over 200 yards in Week 1.
Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen is listed as well because he could be wiser about Landry's usage which would help a player who is probably still finding his footing coming back from a major injury.
Bowen played Landry 88% of the defensive snaps in Week 1 and only played a capable reserve like Rashad Weaver nine snaps. Bowen also asked Landry to drop back into coverage five times where he allowed two catches for 22 yards and had a coverage grade of 46.6, according to Pro Football Focus.
If Bowen can put Landry in better positions and keep him fresher throughout the game, Landry could be more of a playmaker after registering only two pressures, one tackle and zero sacks against the Saints. They will need him to be.
Titans Related Stories
- TIM KELLY FILM REVIEW: The Tennessee Titans may have only scored 15 points in their Week 1 loss to the New Orleans Saints, but it wasn't because they didn't have their opportunities. New offensive coordinator Tim Kelly was impressive in his debut. CLICK HERE
- TANNEHILL WORSE ON FILM: The Tennessee Titans lost their opening game of the season while watching quarterback Ryan Tannehill throw three interceptions and if it looked bad on TV, it looked worse on the coaches film. CLICK HERE
- WEEK 2 FANTASY PICKS: The Tennessee Titans offense didn't put up big numbers in their Week 1 loss to the Saints, but there are still some great fantasy option on the Titans for Week 2 against the Chargers. CLICK HERE
