Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games

In the NFL, every game is decided by small battles—one-on-one or positional matchups that pit a team’s strengths against an opponent’s weaknesses. Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games explores these critical showdowns, from Derrick Henry’s bruising battles with opposing middle linebackers to Roger McCreary’s shutdown attempts against elite wide receivers. These matchups aren’t just physical contests; they’re chess games, where preparation, adjustments, and mental toughness matter as much as speed or strength. For the Titans, winning key matchups has become a blueprint for success in the AFC South—turning divisional rivalries into statement wins and keeping playoff hopes alive even in tough seasons. Whether it’s a veteran vs. a rookie or a Pro Bowler vs. a lockdown defender, these battles define the ebb and flow of Titans games.

Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games begins with the most iconic battle in the Titans’ offense: running back Derrick Henry vs. opposing middle linebackers. Henry, standing 6’3” and 247 pounds, is a force of nature—but his success often hinges on how he outmatches the player tasked with stopping him. Take the 2024 Week 5 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, where Henry faced Colts middle linebacker Zaire Franklin (6’0”, 235 lbs), a Pro Bowler known for his tackling and run-stopping. Franklin entered the game with 45 tackles in four weeks, but Henry dominated the matchup: he rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard run where he broke Franklin’s tackle and sprinted past the secondary. “Beating a linebacker like Franklin isn’t just about strength—it’s about timing,” Henry said after the game. “I study how they tackle, where they position themselves, and then I attack their weaknesses. If they lean left, I go right. If they try to wrap my legs, I push through.” This matchup is a microcosm of Henry’s impact: when he wins his battle, the Titans’ offense clicks—averaging 28 points per game when Henry rushes for 100+ yards, compared to 17 points when he doesn’t. For the Titans, Henry vs. the middle linebacker isn’t just a matchup—it’s the engine that drives their offense.

A defining rivalry matchup in Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games is the Titans’ cornerbacks vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars’ wide receivers, a battle that has shaped AFC South outcomes for years. The Jaguars’ duo of Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk is one of the NFL’s most dynamic, combining speed (Ridley’s 4.43 40-yard dash) and route precision (Kirk’s 68tch rate in 2024). The Titans counter with cornerbacks Roger McCreary and Sean Murphy-Bunting, who use physicality and film study to disrupt the Jaguars’ passing game. In the 2024 Week 12 matchup—a divisional title decider—McCreary drew the assignment of covering Ridley, limiting him to 3 catches for 29 yards and intercepting a pass in the end zone. Murphy-Bunting, meanwhile, held Kirk to 4 catches for 41 yards, forcing Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence to look elsewhere for targets. “This matchup is personal,” McCreary said. “We know Ridley and Kirk can take over a game, so we spend extra time studying their routes—what they do on third down, how they adjust to press coverage. We don’t just play them—we outthink them.” The Titans won that game 21-14, securing the AFC South title, and their cornerbacks’ dominance over the Jaguars’ receivers was the difference. This rivalry matchup proves that in divisional games, winning the battle of skill positions can turn a close game into a decisive victory.

Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games also highlights the underdog battles that often fly under the radar but swing games—like the Titans’ offensive line vs. opposing pass rushers. In the 2024 AFC Wild Card Game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Titans’ offensive line (considered a weakness entering the season) faced the Bengals’ defensive line, which featured Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (12 sacks in 2024). The matchup was expected to be a disaster for the Titans, but left tackle Andre Dillard—who had struggled with injuries all season—stepped up, holding Hendrickson to zero sacks and just one quarterback hit. The rest of the offensive line followed, allowing just two total pressures all game, giving Titans quarterback Jake Newman time to throw for 245 yards and two touchdowns. “No one gave us a chance against Hendrickson,” Dillard said after the game. “But we studied his pass-rush moves, practiced blocking them every day, and trusted our technique. We knew if we won this matchup, we could win the game.” The Titans won 27-24 in overtime, and their offensive line’s upset over the Bengals’ pass rush was the unsung hero. For the Tennessee Titans, these underdog matchups are a reminder that every position matters—even the ones that don’t get the headlines. Winning these battles can turn a perceived weakness into a strength, and a playoff underdog into a contender.

Another key aspect of Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games is how coaches game-plan to exploit favorable matchups and neutralize threats. Titans head coach Brian Callahan and offensive coordinator Tim Kelly spend hours analyzing film to identify “advantage matchups”—like using tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo against slower linebackers. Okonkwo, a 6’2” athletic tight end with 4.5 speed, often lines up against middle linebackers who lack the speed to cover him, creating easy passing opportunities. In the 2024 Week 8 game against the Houston Texans, the Titans targeted Okonkwo 8 times against Texans linebacker Christian Kirksey, resulting in 6 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. “We look for matchups where our players have a clear edge,” Callahan said. “If we have a tight end who’s faster than a linebacker, we’re going to exploit that. It’s not rocket science—it’s about putting our players in positions to succeed.” On defense, coordinator Shane Bowen uses similar logic, often moving Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard into the slot to cover opposing slot receivers—a matchup where Byard’s size (6’1”) and speed (4.5 40) give him an advantage over smaller, quicker receivers. This game-planning around matchups has helped the Titans win 70% of their games when they exploit at least two advantage matchups, according to team data. For the Tennessee Titans, coaching strategy around matchups isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s about maximizing every player’s potential.

Looking ahead, Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games will continue to evolve as the team adds new talent and faces new challenges. The 2025 draft brought in rookie wide receiver Jaden Allen (a 4.3 speedster), who will likely face off against elite cornerbacks like the Jaguars’ Tyson Campbell—a matchup that could become the next iconic Titans rivalry battle. The Titans are also investing in their offensive line to ensure they can continue to protect Newman and open holes for Henry, knowing that winning the line of scrimmage matchups is critical to offensive success. “Matchups will always be the heart of football,” Callahan said. “As we build this team, we’re looking for players who can win their one-on-one battles, because those wins add up to game wins.” For the Tennessee Titans, these player matchups aren’t just part of the game—they’re the foundation of a winning culture. Whether it’s Henry vs. a linebacker, a cornerback vs. a receiver, or an underdog offensive line vs. a pass rush, each battle tells a story of preparation, resilience, and the drive to win. Player Matchups in Tennessee Titans Games isn’t just about statistics or highlights—it’s about the small, intense battles that make football the greatest sport in the world.