Strategy Counters for Tennessee Titans Adversaries

For NFL teams facing the Tennessee Titans, success often hinges on identifying and neutralizing the Titans’ core strengths—from Derrick Henry’s dominant rushing attack to Jeffery Simmons’ interior pass rush. Over the years, opposing coaches have developed specialized strategy counters tailored to disrupt the Titans’ game plan, forcing them into uncomfortable situations (like long third downs or predictable playcalling). These counters aren’t just random adjustments; they’re carefully crafted to exploit the Titans’ weaknesses, such as their occasional overreliance on Henry or their struggles to stretch the field with deep passes. Understanding these counters reveals not just how opponents beat the Titans, but also how the Titans have adapted their own strategy in response. Strategy Counters for Tennessee Titans Adversaries is a study of tactical chess in the NFL—where small adjustments can turn a close game in favor of the underdog.

The most common counter to the Titans’ offense targets their reliance on Derrick Henry, one of the league’s most physical running backs. Opposing defenses typically use two key tactics: “eight-man boxes” and “spill-and-tackle” schemes. An eight-man box means keeping eight defenders near the line of scrimmage (instead of the usual seven), limiting the gaps Henry can exploit. For example, the Kansas City Chiefs used this strategy in their 2023 AFC Divisional Round win over the Titans, keeping eight defenders in the box on 65% of Henry’s carries. This forced the Titans to throw more than usual (32 pass attempts, compared to their season average of 26), and when Henry did get the ball, he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry—well below his season average of 4.9. The spill-and-tackle scheme, meanwhile, involves defensive ends and linebackers forcing Henry to the outside (instead of letting him run up the middle, where he’s most powerful) and using multiple defenders to bring him down. The Baltimore Ravens used this effectively in 2024, with linebackers Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen combining to “spill” Henry to the sidelines on 12 of his 22 carries, limiting him to 79 yards. These counters work because they take away the Titans’ most reliable offensive weapon, forcing quarterback Will Levis to carry more of the load. Strategy Counters for Tennessee Titans Adversaries often start with neutralizing Henry, as he remains the engine of the Titans’ offense.

Another key counter targets the Titans’ defensive line, which relies on interior pressure from Jeffery Simmons and edge rush from Harold Landry III to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Opposing offenses counter this with “quick-pass schemes” and “max protection” to give quarterbacks more time to throw. Quick-pass schemes involve short, high-percentage throws (like slants, screen passes, or quick outs) that get the ball to receivers before the Titans’ defensive line can generate pressure. The Jacksonville Jaguars used this in their 2024 AFC South showdown, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing the ball in under 2.5 seconds on 70% of his attempts—well below the NFL average of 2.8 seconds. This limited the Titans’ defensive line to just 1 sack and 3 pressures, and the Jaguars won 24–17. Max protection, meanwhile, involves keeping extra blockers (like a sixth offensive lineman or a running back) in to block Simmons or Landry, preventing them from reaching the quarterback. The Buffalo Bills used this in 2023, keeping a running back to block Landry on 40% of their passing plays. Landry, who entered the game with 8 sacks that season, was held without a sack or pressure. These counters work because they neutralize the Titans’ biggest defensive strength—their ability to pressure the quarterback—allowing opposing offenses to sustain drives and score points. Strategy Counters for Tennessee Titans Adversaries often focus on slowing down the Titans’ defensive line, as it’s the backbone of their defense.

Opposing teams also use “zone-blitz schemes” to counter the Tennessee Titans’ short passing game, which relies on tight ends (like Chigoziem Okonkwo) and slot receivers (like Colton Dowell) to make catches over the middle. A zone-blitz involves a defensive lineman dropping back into coverage (instead of rushing the quarterback) and a linebacker or defensive back blitzing in their place. This confuses the Titans’ offensive line, which has to identify who’s blitzing, and forces Levis to make quick decisions about where to throw. The Cincinnati Bengals used this effectively in their 2024 win over the Titans, running zone blitzes on 30% of their defensive plays. On one 关键 play in the fourth quarter, defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson dropped back into coverage and intercepted a pass intended for Okonkwo, setting up the Bengals’ game-winning field goal. The Tennessee Titans struggle with this counter because their tight ends and slot receivers are not always strong at blocking blitzers, and Levis can struggle with decision-making when under pressure. This counter also forces the Titans to use more timeouts to adjust their playcalling, which can hurt them late in games. Strategy Counters for Tennessee Titans Adversaries use zone blitzes to disrupt the Titans’ short passing game, which is often their safety valve when Henry is contained.

To counter the Tennessee Titans’ red-zone efficiency (they ranked 10th in the NFL in red-zone touchdown percentage in 2024), opposing defenses use “goal-line stands” and “coverage schemes that take away the end zone.” Goal-line stands involve stacking the line of scrimmage with extra defenders (often nine or ten) to prevent Henry from scoring on runs up the middle. The Cleveland Browns used this in 2024, stopping the Titans on four consecutive goal-line plays in the third quarter. On the final play, the Browns kept ten defenders in the box, and Henry was tackled for a 1-yard loss, forcing the Titans to settle for a field goal. Coverage schemes that take away the end zone, meanwhile, involve defenders dropping back into the end zone to cover tight ends and receivers, preventing Levis from throwing touchdown passes. The Pittsburgh Steelers used this in 2023, with cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace covering the end zone on 80% of the Titans’ red-zone passing plays. Levis, who entered the game with a 65% red-zone completion rate, completed just 40% of his red-zone passes and threw one interception. These counters work because they take away the Titans’ two main red-zone options—Henry runs and tight end touchdowns—and force them to settle for field goals, which reduces their scoring output. The Tennessee Titans have struggled to adapt to these counters, as they often rely on predictable red-zone playcalling. Strategy Counters for Tennessee Titans Adversaries target the red zone because it’s where games are often decided, and limiting the Titans to field goals can swing the momentum.

Finally, opposing special teams units use “kickoff coverage schemes” and “punt-block attempts” to counter the Tennessee Titans’ special teams, which rely on returner Xavier Gipson for big plays. Kickoff coverage schemes involve using faster players (like wide receivers or cornerbacks) to cover kickoffs, preventing Gipson from breaking long returns. The Miami Dolphins used this in 2024, with cornerback Xavien Howard and wide receiver Tyreek Hill leading the kickoff coverage unit. Gipson, who entered the game with two kickoff returns for touchdowns that season, was limited to an average of 18 yards per return—well below his season average of 25 yards. Punt-block attempts, meanwhile, involve sending extra rushers to block the Titans’ punt, forcing punter Ryan Stonehouse to rush his kick or change his direction. The New England Patriots used this in 2023, blocking a Stonehouse punt in the second quarter and returning it for a touchdown. This gave the Patriots a 14–7 lead and shifted the momentum of the game. These counters work because they take away the Titans’ ability to gain field position or score points on special teams, which is often a key part of their game plan. The Tennessee Titans have struggled to defend these counters, as their special teams unit lacks depth at coverage and blocking positions. Strategy Counters for Tennessee Titans Adversaries often include special teams adjustments, as they can provide easy points or swing field position in favor of the opponent.