Tennessee Titans Top Five Defensive Player Grades Against Chicago Bears per Pro Football Focus

The Tennessee Titans' defense may have given up 23 points in a loss to the Chicago Bears to open the preseason, but there were still some solid performances on that side of the ball.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans' defense got gashed early by the Chicago Bears' starters, but they were able to settle in as the game went along. Even though it came in a 23-17 loss, there were still some defenders who stood out during Saturday's game.

Pro Football Focus released their grades from the game and here are the Titans top five highest-graded players on the defensive side of the ball.

LB Ben Niemann - 90.3

SAF Mike Brown - 78.4

EDGE Thomas Rush - 77.4

SAF Shyheim Carter - 77.1

SAF Matthew Jackson - 71.1

The Titans' starting defense did not play in this game. Sitting out of the matchup, but not due to injury, was Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Harold Landry, Arden Key, Azeez Al-Shaair, Kristian Fulton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, Roger McCreary, Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker.

That meant the backups had a huge opportunity with a lot of snaps to go around. Veteran linebacker Ben Niemann certainly took advantage. He made four tackles and only allowed one catch for four yards on the day. Niemann had a good start to securing a roster spot.

With the lack of depth behind the starters at safety, Byard and Hooker, it is important the remaining names at the position make the most of these chances. Mike Brown was all over the field making physical plays, Shyheim Carter was excellent in coverage and Matthew Jackson was a versatile piece that lined up in the box at times.

Finally, we have Thomas Rush. The undrafted rookie out of Michigan is trying to stand out at a position, edge rusher, where the Titans have a major lack of depth after their top three in Landry, Key and Rashad Weaver. Rush got the start on the day as well, ahead of Sam Okuayinonu, who played six games for the Titans last season.

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