 Last season the Tennessee Titans went 13-3. This season they already have more losses through five weeks. The 0-5 Titans are in last place in the AFC South and are really struggling to deal with the loss of Albert Haynesworth. Opponents are scoring a ludicrous 27.8 points a game. The defense can still stop the run despite the loss of Haynesworth, but this is just because everyone is free to pass. The Titans have one of the worst NFL secondaries. They allow 287.6 yards a game through the air. It does not help the struggling defense that the turnover-prone offense has given the ball away 11 times. The defense has not been able to keep up the pace, only taking the ball back five times. This Titans football team is a mess. The offense is scoring just 16.8 points a game and running for just 127.6 yards a contest despite having a focus on the running the football with two potential feature backs. The passing game is getting a disappointing 208.2 yards a game and is more of a threat to throw a costly interception than a touchdown. Quarterback Kerry Collins is supposed to be a game manager, but the deficits have forced him to be a playmaker. Unfortunately, he is an awful playmaker. He has seven interceptions and just five touchdowns. There are few game-breaking receivers for him to throw to. Kenny Brit is the leading receiver with 19 receptions, 289 yards, and 15.2 yards a catch. Running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White are doing ok, but have not been given the chance to dominate the game. Johnson is averaging 6 yards a carry and White is averaging 4, but these numbers are not going to erase a 14-point deficit in the matter of a few minutes. The problem for this team is the defense and until the defense figures out how to rush the quarterback or defend the football once it is released the Titans are going to continue to be forced to play a brand of football they are not equipped to play. The Titans upcoming 2009 NFL schedule takes them to New England before a much needed bye week. Then they get a chance to win one in the division against the Jaguars before heading to San Francisco. This team has to turn things around soon to salvage the season for fans at LP Field.
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