Tennessee Titans: Non-schemed coverage
It could easily be argued that quarterback Ryan Tannehill is the Titans’ 2019 Most Valuable Player; the team was 2-4 when Tannehill took over for Marcus Mariota in Week 7, and they’re 7-3 since. Since the switch, Tennessee’s offense ranks second in completion rate (69.6%) behind only the Saints (72.7%). Tennessee ranks first over that time in yards per pass (9.6), second to the Ravens (10.5%) in touchdown percentage (8.1%), first in quarterback rating (119.5) and second to the Ravens (53.4) in Positive Play Rate (53.0). Gilmore will most likely shadow receiver A.J. Brown, who became the fourth rookie receiver since 1970 after Isaac Curtis, Willie Gault and Randy Moss with four touchdown catches of 50 or more yards. It’s a good time for the Titans to face a Patriots defense that has been uncharacteristically vulnerable of late.
Still, I’d give the team MVP award to defensive coordinator Dean Pees and his staff, because they’ve done an absolutely marvelous job scheming coverages that their defensive backs can handle. With Logan Ryan, Tramaine Brock, Malcolm Butler, and Adoree Jackson as their primary cornerbacks, the Titans have not had a group who can face up against top receivers and trail credibly through all routes. They need scheme to help them — pre-snap disguises that turn into post-snap confusion for quarterbacks and allow opportunistic safeties Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro to take advantage on the back end.
This Week 13 Logan Ryan interception of a Jacoby Brissett pass is a perfect example.
Pre-snap, Brissett is reading single-high coverage, and he doesn’t react to Ryan breaking from the line to give Tennessee an extra deep defender in what becomes a Tampa-2 look. As long as Pees and his coaches continue to scheme deviously, the Titans should be in good shape. Their offense has certainly shown massive improvement across the board.