NFL
3 Reasons Titans Can Win Without Derrick Henry
The Tennessee Titans were dealt a crushing blow earlier this week with the injury diagnosis to All-Pro running back Derrick Henry.
He suffered an injury to his fifth metatarsal in his foot, which has led many to speculate that he is dealing with the dreaded Jones fracture.
Whether this will end Henry’s season remains to be seen, but it seems like a good bet that he’ll miss at least two months of action.
The former Heisman Trophy winner underwent surgery on Tuesday morning.
This leaves the Titans in an interesting spot.
They were a team whose identity was forged by Henry’s bruising rushing style.
Their ability to control the clock gave them a blueprint for winning games week in and week out.
Tennessee still has a lot of time to figure out how they will replace Henry, but they’ve already brought in future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson, who figures to absorb some early-down snaps.
While Henry’s injury definitely is a setback, it might not be a death knell for Tennessee, and here are three reasons why.
3. Ryan Tannehill’s Ascension
A couple of short years ago, most folks would’ve looked sideways at the notion that Ryan Tannehill could lead a passing attack worthy enough of keeping a team afloat.
But given his performance since taking over as the starter for the Titans midway through the 2019 campaign, Tannehill has done enough to prove that he’s viable enough to keep his team in games.
It’ll be interesting to see how he performs without the crutch of Henry’s 20-30 touches per game, but he’ll likely do just fine.
The former college wide receiver may utilize his legs more in RPO type of scenarios in the Titans offense, and his athleticism will help his cause in order to keep the chains moving.
Plus, he has one of the best young wide receivers in the game in A.J. Brown, who has become a star without another consistent passing threat on the field (since Julio Jones has not been able to remain on the field).
Just Ryan Tannehill trying to do an interview while his @Titans teammates celebrate their OT win against the Colts
@SperoDedes & @jayfeely pic.twitter.com/Jy2f4gDiwX
— NFL on CBS
(@NFLonCBS) October 31, 2021
2. Tennessee’s Offensive Line
Conventional wisdom would lead fans to believe that the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry has been shredding tacklers left and right due to his massive frame.
It’s an easy narrative to follow, and it’s largely true since Henry is one of the most difficult players to square up and bring down in the NFL.
The mammoth human being nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in half a season, as he had 937 ground yards to his name before going down.
But the Titans offensive line deserves a ton of credit this year for establishing control at the line of scrimmage, and giving Henry room to operate.
Henry leads the league in rushing yards, and rushing yards before contact.
In fact, nearly half of his production on the ground (450 yards) has been gained before a defender laid a finger on him.
Whether Peterson, Jeremy McNichols, or other backs are tasked with replacing Henry, having clear rushing lanes should help keep their attack on schedule.
Welcome @AdrianPeterson to Tennessee!
Adrian Peterson’s Greatest Plays | @nflthrowback pic.twitter.com/3iG4KBieKQ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 2, 2021
1. The AFC South
The Titans are currently 6-2, and sit in a comfortable position in the AFC, and perhaps more relevantly, in the AFC South.
The Indianapolis Colts, whom they just defeated on Sunday, are 3-5, and are second in the division.
A three-game lead in the loss column, plus a season series sweep of Indianapolis has Tennessee in an advantageous position to say the least.
While they have a stiff road test coming up in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams, they still have three games remaining against division foes, plus a game against the struggling Miami Dolphins.
They’ll have time to workshop some things and figure out how they want to play without Henry, and their current division lead keeps a deep January and February run in play.
The post 3 Reasons Titans Can Win Without Derrick Henry appeared first on The Cold Wire.
Philip Rivers’ last year in the NFL did not indicate any signs of slowing down.
In his 17th year in the league, the Alabama native finished with 4,169 passing yards and 24 touchdowns for the Indianapolis Colts.
He helped Indianapolis enter the playoffs with an 11-5 record but lost to the Buffalo Bills in their Wild Card showdown.
Aside from producing Pro Bowl-worthy numbers, Rivers started 252 consecutive games, a streak that ranks second behind Brett Favre.
The 2013 NFL Comeback Player of the Year is currently coaching high school football at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, Alabama.
Philip Rivers was pumped after winning his first game as head coach for St. Michael High School
(via @BenThomasPreps)pic.twitter.com/eTqNoNXBGd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 27, 2021
But with the way he played in 2020, he’s not closing the door to a potential return to the pros.
He still has the arm strength and the football wisdom to continue his playing career.
Therefore, teams in immediate need of quarterback help must reach out to the nine-time Pro Bowler.
However, recent developments show that these teams would need someone like Rivers the most.
2. Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos’ limited talent at quarterback came back to haunt them.
They won their first three games because they fought against teams with lesser talent.
That’s why their offense was sufficient, and their defense looked elite.
The last four times the Cowboys have beaten the Broncos has been in a season they won the Super Bowl (1995, 1992, twice in 1977).
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) November 5, 2021
Unfortunately, they came crashing down once they started to play against tougher competition.
From a 3-0 start, the Broncos fell to the bottom of the AFC West with a 4-4 record.
Teddy Bridgewater does rarely make mistakes on the field.
I hate to say it but.. Josh Johnson looks better out there than Teddy Bridgewater has been looking
— E. (@1DopeCPA) November 5, 2021
However, he’s not as talented as Patrick Mahomes, Derek Carr, or Justin Herbert.
Therefore, upgrading their quarterback will come in handy, and Rivers could be the man for the job.
He would maximize Denver’s talented receiving corps of Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, and Courtland Sutton.
.@JerryJeudy’s route-running is on another level.
(via @thecheckdown)@Broncos | #BroncosCountry
: #WASvsDEN — Tomorrow 4:25pm ET on FOX
: NFL App pic.twitter.com/976lUJsiV6
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2021
It would be nice to see him against the Chargers as well.
It’s in their best interest to sign Rivers to a two-year deal because the talent depth at quarterback for the 2022 NFL Draft is looking shallow.
Therefore, the Broncos get an insurance year from the future Hall of Famer if they don’t draft a play-caller.
1. New Orleans Saints
Rivers publicly declared that he would consider returning for New Orleans if they reached out.
There’s no fault in him choosing the Saints because they have a well-rounded team.
They don’t rack up eye-popping passing yards, but they win through intelligent situational football and Alvin Kamara’s presence.
Perhaps the Saints’ running back is the reason Rivers wanted another shot at playing quarterback.
Philip Rivers tells me he hasn’t heard from the Saints but would listen.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) November 2, 2021
The versatile player can control the game in many ways, and the veteran would love to facilitate his dominance.
This season, New Orleans’ offensive line is also one of the best, making Rivers feel protected when he’s inside the pocket.
The offense need not put up a ton of points because their defense with Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and Marshon Lattimore has been lights out.
Tom Brady: *drops back to pass*
Saints Defense: pic.twitter.com/9bSIJKucrn
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) October 31, 2021
It doesn’t mean, though, that Rivers won’t do some heavy lifting if he ended up joining head coach Sean Payton.
However, the 2004 first-round draft choice could help stretch the field to create more problems for opposing defenses.
The post 2 NFL Teams That Should Sign Philip Rivers appeared first on The Cold Wire.
In Week 5’s edition of TNF, Aaron Donald became the Rams all-time franchise Sacks leader as they came out on top in a divisional affair with the Seattle Seahawks. The perennial All-Pro and 3x DPOY reached 88.5 sacks on Thursday, surpassing St. Louis Rams legend Leonard Little in the official sacks era (since 1982). Donald has long been considered a top player in the NFL, and this is just another milestone in what will end up being a surefire first-ballot Hall of Fame career.
Most career SK in #Rams history since officially tracked in 1982:
1. Aaron Donald (88.5)^
2. Leonard Little (87.5)
3. Kevin Greene (72.5)
T4. Kevin Carter, Robert Quinn (62.5)
6. Chris Long (54.5)
pic.twitter.com/4oHQ5j6NXr— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 8, 2021
INTERESTING FACTS
- Most career SK in Rams history: 1. AD (88.5), 2. Leonard Little (87.5), 3. Kevin Greene (72.5), T4. Kevin Carter, Rob Quinn (62.5)
- Seattle is on pace to allow the most YDS on defense (450.8/GP) in NFL history, just like they were through 5 weeks in 2020
- QB Russell Wilson was a perfect 9-0 in his 9 TNF games before facing the LA Rams
- Wilson had a .776 career win percentage in prime-time games in his NFL career, the highest mark by a starting QB since 1950
MAIN TAKEAWAY
3 REASONS WHY AARON DONALD IS BETTER THAN ANY NFL DEFENSIVE TACKLE EVER
COLORS KEY | FULL RAMS OUTLOOK
1. LEVERAGE
Because Aaron Donald is shorter than the average DT and almost every O-Lineman, he has the leverage advantage on almost every snap where he can get under the blocker’s pads and execute the popular football phrase “low man wins”. Something he executes better than anybody who’s ever played the game.
2. STRENGTH
Aaron Donald is far from the average 6’0” male and thus, using his near-superhero strength, he is able to bully his way through offensive lineman, taking the most direct route to the quarterback as he continuously bullrushes weaker Offensive Lineman that have no chance to stop the brute strength the 3x DPOY possesses.
3. QUICKNESS
Even with his incredible strength and power, Donald is also one of the quickest defensive lineman in recent memory. He uses a combination of speed finesse and power moves to easily evade blockers, go from one gap to another in the blink of an eye, and wiggle past opposing blockers with ease.
BEST HIGHLIGHTS
Double punt on TNF of course
So this happened.
: #LARvsSEA on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
: NFL App pic.twitter.com/laRZFYhBJP
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
Donald is a Rams legend
Most career SK in #Rams history since officially tracked in 1982:
1. Aaron Donald (88.5)^
2. Leonard Little (87.5)
3. Kevin Greene (72.5)
T4. Kevin Carter, Robert Quinn (62.5)
6. Chris Long (54.5)
pic.twitter.com/4oHQ5j6NXr— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) October 8, 2021
Big play D-Jax is back
Big play for @DeSeanJackson10 & the @RamsNFL! #RamsHouse
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
Diggs snagged the INT
Control with two feet in. @qdiggs6 comes down with a huge red zone INT! #Seahawks
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
Geno stepped in for Russ
This is Geno Smith’s FIRST TD pass in 1,404 days
(Via @NFL)
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) October 8, 2021
Game-sealing INT for LAR
PICKED. #RamsHouse
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2021
Russ is a primetime king
Russ is 9-1 on TNF and 29-8-1 in Prime Time during his career
— NFL (@NFL) October 7, 2021
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The post 3 Reasons Why Aaron Donald is Better Than Any NFL Defensive Tackle Ever appeared first on Pro Sports Outlook.
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