Tactical Adjustments in Tennessee Titans Game Plans

As the Tennessee Titans aim to climb from fringe playoff contenders to AFC South champions, their coaching staff has recognized the need for targeted tactical adjustments to address inconsistencies that plagued their 2025 season. From an overreliance on the run game to defensive lapses in late-game situations, the Titans’ game plans have shown promise but lack the flexibility to outmaneuver top-tier opponents like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. Head coach Mike Vrabel, along with offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, has spent the offseason reevaluating schemes, player usage, and in-game decision-making to create a more dynamic, adaptive approach. These adjustments aren’t just about adding new plays—they’re about maximizing the strengths of key players (like quarterback Will Levis and running back Derrick Henry) while minimizing vulnerabilities (such as a leaky secondary and inconsistent pass rush). Tactical Adjustments in Tennessee Titans Game Plans is the blueprint for turning potential into results.

On offense, the most critical adjustment is balancing the run-pass split to keep defenses guessing and reduce wear on Henry. In 2025, the Titans ran the ball on 58% of their plays—the third-highest rate in the NFL—making them predictable to defend. Kelly’s new game plan will shift to a 50-50 split, incorporating more play-action passes and RPOs (run-pass options) to leverage Henry’s threat as a runner while opening up the passing game for Levis. A key component of this shift is designing “Henry-centric” play-action concepts: for example, a fake handoff to Henry will draw linebackers forward, creating gaps for tight ends or wide receivers to run deep routes behind the defense. Levis, who showed flashes of potential in 2025 (2,800 yards, 18 touchdowns) but struggled with deep-ball accuracy, will also benefit from shorter, high-percentage passing windows early in drives to build confidence. “We have to use Derrick’s presence to our advantage, not just as a runner but as a decoy,” Kelly explained in a recent coaching clinic. “When defenses stack the box to stop him, we need to be ready to hit them over the top.” This adjustment will also reduce Henry’s carries from 25-30 per game to 18-22, preserving his durability for the postseason. Tactical Adjustments in Tennessee Titans Game Plans starts with making the offense impossible to game-plan against.

Defensively, Bowen’s biggest adjustment is overhauling the pass-rush scheme to generate more pressure without relying solely on edge rusher Harold Landry III. In 2025, the Titans recorded just 32 sacks (22nd in the NFL), with Landry accounting for 6.5 of them—leaving the defense vulnerable when he was double-teamed. The new plan will incorporate more “stunts” and “twists” (where defensive linemen swap gaps) to confuse offensive lines, as well as blitzes from unexpected positions (like linebackers and safeties) to exploit mismatches. For example, a “safety blitz” from Andre Cisco will force quarterbacks to make quick decisions, while a “tackle twist” between defensive tackles Jeffery Simmons and Teair Tart will create one-on-one opportunities for edge rushers. Bowen is also adjusting how the Titans use their defensive backs, shifting from a primarily zone coverage scheme to a mix of man and zone—known as “pattern-matching”—to better contain elite wide receivers. This scheme lets cornerbacks play man coverage on their assigned receivers while safeties help with deep routes, reducing the “big plays” the Titans allowed in 2025 (28 passes of 20+ yards, 19th in the NFL). “We need to be more aggressive but smarter with our aggression,” Bowen said. “These adjustments will let us pressure quarterbacks while still protecting the deep part of the field.” Tactical Adjustments in Tennessee Titans Game Plans hinges on making the defense both disruptive and reliable.

For the Tennessee Titans, a critical in-game adjustment is improving their late-game decision-making—especially in the red zone and on third downs. In 2025, the Titans ranked 24th in red-zone touchdown rate (55%) and 26th in third-down conversion rate (36%), often failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Vrabel has implemented a “late-game playbook” with pre-drawn up plays for common scenarios: third-and-short (2 yards or less), red-zone trips, and two-minute drills. This playbook will be reviewed weekly by the team, with Levis and Henry practicing these scenarios extensively to build muscle memory. For example, in third-and-short situations, the Titans will use a “power formation” with two tight ends and a fullback to either run Henry up the middle or throw a quick slant to a tight end—two plays that had a 70% success rate in 2025. The Tennessee Titans are also adjusting their time-management strategy, with Vrabel giving Kelly more autonomy to call plays in the final two minutes (a change from 2025, when Vrabel often overruled play calls). “Late games are won by preparation and trust,” Vrabel said. “By having a dedicated late-game playbook and trusting Tim to execute it, we’ll put ourselves in better positions to win close games.” Tactical Adjustments in Tennessee Titans Game Plans is about turning near-wins into actual wins.

Another key adjustment for the Tennessee Titans is tailoring their game plans to exploit the weaknesses of divisional rivals—a critical step in winning the AFC South. Against the Jaguars, who have a strong pass rush but struggle with run defense, the Titans will emphasize a “power run” attack with Henry, using misdirection plays to pull Jaguars edge rushers out of position. They’ll also use short passes to tight ends to counter the Jaguars’ zone coverage, which has trouble defending intermediate routes. Against the Texans, who have a dynamic passing game but a young offensive line, the Titans will use more blitzes and stunts to pressure quarterback C.J. Stroud, while using pattern-matching coverage to limit wide receiver Nico Collins. The Tennessee Titans are also adjusting their special teams game plan, with new special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman adding a “fake punt” package and improving kickoff coverage (the Titans ranked 28th in kickoff return yards allowed in 2025). “Divisional games are about knowing your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses better than they know theirs,” Aukerman said. “Our special teams adjustments will give us an edge in field position, which can win games in this division.” Tactical Adjustments in Tennessee Titans Game Plans means being prepared for every opponent, not just playing a one-size-fits-all style.

Looking ahead, the Tennessee Titans will measure the success of these adjustments by their ability to win close games, dominate divisional rivals, and reach the postseason. Vrabel has implemented a “weekly adjustment meeting” where coaches and players review film of the previous game, identify what worked and what didn’t, and make tweaks to the game plan for the next opponent. This iterative process will let the Titans adapt on the fly—something they struggled with in 2025. For example, if a play-action pass isn’t working against a particular defense, Kelly can quickly switch to a different concept without disrupting the offense’s rhythm. The Tennessee Titans are also using advanced analytics to inform their adjustments, tracking data on opponent tendencies (like when they blitz or play zone) and using it to design counter-strategies. “Tactical adjustments aren’t a one-time thing—they’re a continuous process,” Vrabel said. “By staying flexible and willing to adapt, we’ll put ourselves in a position to compete for a championship.” Tactical Adjustments in Tennessee Titans Game Plans is ultimately about building a team that can outthink, outplay, and outlast every opponent—one adjustment at a time.