Strength Clashes Defining Tennessee Titans Lines

The Tennessee Titans’ identity as a physical, ground-and-pound team is forged in the trenches—where the strength clashes between their offensive line (O-line) and opposing defensive lines (D-lines), and their own D-line and enemy O-lines, often decide the outcome of games. These clashes aren’t just about size or speed; they’re about technique, leverage, and mental toughness—each play a battle to control the line of scrimmage. For the Titans, a successful O-line means creating running lanes for Derrick Henry and protecting Ryan Tannehill, while a dominant D-line involves disrupting quarterbacks and stopping opposing rushers. Over the years, some of the Titans’ most memorable wins (and toughest losses) have been defined by how their lines fared in these high-stakes clashes. Strength Clashes Defining Tennessee Titans Lines thus breaks down the pivotal trench battles that have shaped the franchise’s fortunes, revealing why line play is the backbone of their success.

A defining strength clash for the Titans’ O-line comes against teams with elite run-stopping defensive fronts—matchups that test their ability to open lanes for Henry, the engine of the offense. One of the most consistent and intense of these clashes is against the Baltimore Ravens, whose D-line (featuring players like Calais Campbell and Justin Madubuike) has long been among the NFL’s best at stopping the run. In their 2024 matchup, the Ravens entered the game allowing just 89 rushing yards per game, while the Titans’ O-line had averaged 142 rushing yards per game that season. The clash lived up to the hype: the Ravens’ D-line stuffed Henry for no gain on three straight plays in the first quarter, forcing a punt, but the Titans’ O-line adjusted, using pull blocks and double teams to create gaps. By the fourth quarter, Henry had rushed for 112 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown run where left tackle Peter Skoronski sealed off Madubuike to open a huge lane. “Against a D-line like Baltimore’s, every play is a chess match,” Skoronski said after the game. “You have to win your one-on-one battles, or Derrick can’t do what he does.” This clash underscored how the Titans’ O-line’s adaptability turns tough matchups into opportunities. Strength Clashes Defining Tennessee Titans Lines thus frames these run-stopping duels as a litmus test for the O-line’s effectiveness.

On the defensive side, the Titans’ D-line’s strength clashes with top pass-protecting O-lines reveal their ability to generate pressure without relying on blitzes—a key part of their defensive identity. A prime example is their annual matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, whose O-line (led by All-Pro tackle Orlando Brown Jr.) is known for keeping quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes clean. In their 2023 AFC Divisional Round game, the Chiefs’ O-line entered having allowed just 28 sacks all season, while the Titans’ D-line had recorded 40 sacks—good for 10th in the NFL. The clash was a masterclass in technique: Titans edge rusher Denico Autry spent the game battling Brown, using speed moves to beat him around the edge and power moves to push him back into Mahomes’ pocket. Autry finished with 2 sacks and 4 quarterback hits, and the Titans’ D-line forced Mahomes into three hurried throws that led to interceptions. “Against a great O-line, you can’t just rely on speed—you need a counter move,” Autry explained. “I studied Brown’s tendencies all week, and when he overcommitted to stopping my speed, I hit him with a power rush.” The Titans won the game 27–24, with their D-line’s ability to win one-on-one clashes proving decisive. Strength Clashes Defining Tennessee Titans Lines thus highlights how these pass-rush duels are critical to the D-line’s impact.

The Tennessee Titans’ O-line also faces unique strength clashes in divisional matchups with the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose D-line blends youth and experience to disrupt the Titans’ run game. The Jaguars’ D-line, featuring young stars like Travon Walker (the 2022 first overall pick) and veteran Foley Fatukasi, specializes in penetrating the line of scrimmage to tackle Henry behind the line of scrimmage. In their 2024 Week 10 matchup, the Jaguars entered the game leading the NFL in tackles for loss (TFLs) with 65, while the Titans’ O-line had allowed just 32 TFLs all season. The clash was physical from the start: Walker sacked Tannehill on the Titans’ first drive, and Fatukasi recorded a TFL on Henry’s first carry. But the Titans’ O-line adjusted, using zone blocking to seal the Jaguars’ interior linemen and create wider lanes for Henry. By the end of the game, Henry had rushed for 134 yards, and the O-line allowed just 1 TFL in the second half. “Divisional games are personal—they know our run scheme as well as we do,” said Titans center Ben Jones. “We had to switch up our blocking calls to keep them off balance.” The Tennessee Titans won the game 24–17, with their O-line’s ability to adapt to the Jaguars’ D-line’s pressure securing the AFC South lead. Strength Clashes Defining Tennessee Titans Lines thus shows how divisional familiarity adds intensity to these trench battles.

The Tennessee Titans’ D-line faces a different kind of strength clash against the Indianapolis Colts, whose O-line is built to run the ball—a mirror of the Titans’ own identity. The Colts’ O-line, led by Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson, specializes in creating lanes for their running backs (like Jonathan Taylor) and using power blocking to push the Titans’ D-line back. In their 2024 Week 5 matchup, the Colts entered the game averaging 135 rushing yards per game, while the Titans’ D-line had allowed just 98 rushing yards per game. The clash was a battle of wills: the Colts’ O-line used double teams to push Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons off the line, opening lanes for Taylor to rush for 78 yards in the first half. But the Titans’ D-line adjusted, using a “one-gap” scheme to penetrate the line and tackle Taylor behind the line of scrimmage. Simmons finished with 1 sack and 3 TFLs, and the Titans’ D-line held Taylor to just 22 yards in the second half. “When a team tries to run on us like we run on others, it’s a challenge,” Simmons said. “We had to play with more leverage and read their blocking calls faster.” The Tennessee Titans won the game 31–21, with their D-line’s ability to shut down the Colts’ run game turning the tide. Strength Clashes Defining Tennessee Titans Lines thus underscores how these mirror-image clashes test the D-line’s versatility.

Finally, the Tennessee Titans’ lines face a unique strength clash in playoff games, where the stakes are higher and every trench battle carries more weight. In the 2020 AFC Championship Game against the Buffalo Bills, the Titans’ O-line and D-line both faced their biggest tests of the season. The Bills’ D-line, led by Ed Oliver, entered the game with 44 sacks, while their O-line had allowed just 26 sacks. The Titans’ O-line responded by creating 125 rushing yards for Henry, including a 31-yard touchdown run where right guard Nate Davis pushed Oliver back 5 yards to open a lane. On defense, the Titans’ D-line held Bills running back Devin Singletary to 45 yards and sacked Josh Allen 3 times—including a critical sack by Autry on fourth down in the fourth quarter. “Playoff line play is about focus—one mistake can cost you the game,” said Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. “Our lines didn’t make mistakes when it mattered most.” The Titans won the game 32–18, advancing to the Super Bowl, with their lines’ ability to win key clashes proving they could perform under the brightest lights. The Tennessee Titans’ playoff success over the years has often been tied to their lines’ performance in these high-stakes clashes, reinforcing that trench play is the foundation of championship contention. Strength Clashes Defining Tennessee Titans Lines thus concludes by showing how these playoff battles are the ultimate test of the Titans’ lines—and their ability to rise to the occasion.