No one could have predicted the turnaround we witnessed from a once-stagnant Tennessee Titans offense after a 2-4 start last year — and a lot of that had to do with quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
But he was far from the only force that helped the Titans make it all the way to the AFC Championship Game, where just a 35-24 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs kept them from a Super Bowl LIV appearance.
Former Alabama running back Derrick Henry was a key player in 2019, finishing out the regular season with the NFL rushing title over the Cleveland Brown’s Nick Chubb with 1,540 yards.
The big back was an even bigger factor in propelling the team through the postseason, defeating formidable opponents like the Baltimore Ravens, who were largely favored to win it all at one point.
Henry was No. 1 in one very particular statistical category last year, carrying 188 times on plays with at least eight defenders in the box in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus, which was by far the most.
Dalvin Cook (147), Sony Michel (134) and Leonard Fournette (132) ranked directly behind him.
Carries with 8+ defenders in the box in 2019:
1. Derrick Henry: 188
2. Dalvin Cook: 147
3. Sony Michel: 134
4. Leonard Fournette: 132 pic.twitter.com/D8hep8jH7o— PFF (@PFF) June 30, 2020
The fact that Henry was still able to put up those numbers despite facing so many stacked boxes makes his season even more impressive and speaks to just how good the offensive line was at imposing its will.
Now with rookie running back Darrynton Evans behind him, expect Henry to push off from his momentum from last year in 2020.
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