Breakdown of Titans’ awful O-Line performance in Week 1

The biggest wart from the Tennessee Titans’ Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals came from the offensive line, which allowed a total of six sacks and nine QB hits in what was an awful showing.

And that showing completely wrecked the offense.

Ryan Tannehill was unable to get enough time to get anything going through the air with Chandler Jones constantly in his grill and sacking him five times. Both of Tannehill’s fumbles were the result of poor protection, also.

Adding to that, Derrick Henry was stifled for much of the contest. He had just eight yards on nine carries in the first half, and finished with 3.4 yards per carry.

As far as the sacks allowed breakdown is concerned, Taylor Lewan was responsible for two of them, according to Pro Football Focus. Nate Davis,  Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones and Kendall Lamm permitted one apiece. Davis and Lewan led the way with five pressure allowed each.

Responsibility for sacks allowed by #Titans, per @PFF:
–Lewan (2), Saffold (1), B. Jones (1), Lamm (1), N. Davis (1)
–Both Lewan and N. Davis allowed 5 pressures (combination of sacks, QB hits and hurries). No other O-lineman had more than 2 allowed.

— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 13, 2021

As you’d expect, Davis and Lewan posted the worst PFF grades among Tennessee’s starting O-line, with Lewan registering a 39.7, and Davis a 32.3. Lamm, who filled in for Lewan while he was dealing with cramps, was even worse, totaling a 29.3. Lamm also committed two penalties in his 12 snaps.

Saffold, Jones and Quessenberry finished as the top-three-graded linemen, turning in a 70.8, 67.9 and 65.6, respectively. While not great, those grades look fantastic compared to the other three.

Per @PFF, quite a disparity in the grades of O-linemen:
Saffold 70.8, B. Jones 67.9, Quessenberry 65.6
Big Drop
Lewan 39.7, N. Davis 32.3, Lamm 29.3

— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 13, 2021

The Titans will hope better days are ahead as they prepare for a Week 2 contest with the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.