It is time to talk about this Titans defense. The saying goes defense wins championships, and Tennessee proved that was more than just a saying, it’s a blueprint. The Titans were last year’s Super Bowl champions, and they did that on the backs of an all time defense. The Titans have all pro caliber players all over the field, but this was built with intent. The Titans have been frugal with their spending on offense so that they can get players such as Roquan Smith, Amani Hooker, Aaron Donald, Kevin Byard, and Caleb Farley to mention a few, and they are the reason that this defense has been as good as it has. While Will Levis was last years Super Bowl MVP, anyone who watched the Titans last year would tell you it starts with the defense, but this defense is not like any other. The offenses in the NFL have become so complex and so talented that most defensive coordinators have adopted the “bend but don’t break” defense. The majority of the NFL is fine giving you yards here and there until you get into offensive territory, and they can rely on the shortened field to almost act as an extra defender. This Titans defense is not the majority of the NFL though, they are here to punch you in the mouth and make you earn everything on offense. They turn even the best quarterbacks over, this was seen in last years AFC championship when Anthony Richardson, who had thrown just two interceptions all year, threw an ill advised pass, and the Titans defense took the dagger and drove it right into the hearts of the Colts and their fans. Just when Colts fans wounds looked to be healed, this Titans defense did it again in week one. Once again they intercepted Anthony Richardson’s pass as the Colts came down the field only needing a field goal to take the lead. With that interception the Titans signed and dated their certificate of ownership over the Colts, beating them in their last three matchups.
In this offensively dominated NFL, the Titans buck the status quo, they swim up river, they take the road less traveled. Whatever cliché you want to use, the Titans don’t just win games with their defense, they win championships.