Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Will Levis and Ryan Tannehill were sacked on a combined six occasions during Sunday’s embarrassing defeat to the Houston Texans. Levis, who was playing through an ankle injury, was carted off the field in the first half with a foot injury. The severity remains unknown. Tannehill made a John Wick reference at the conclusion of the game after being under routine pressure. The Titans surrendered five of the league’s fastest 20 sacks over the weekend, according to Next Gen Stats.
The Titans started the game with Andre Dillard at left tackle. It was seemingly a coach’s decision after rookie blocker Jaelyn Duncan struggled mightily last weekend against the Seattle Seahawks before exiting with a wrist injury. Dillard replaced Duncan in that contest and held his own against Seattle’s pass rushers, having allowed zero recorded pressures or sacks.
But the struggles that initially sent Dillard to the bench earlier this campaign reappeared against the Texans. Dillard was credited with allowing five pressures, three hurries, and two sacks via just 16 true pass-block sets, according to Pro Football Focus. Dillard’s pass-pro grade of 21.2 was his second-worst mark of the campaign. Dillard has now allowed a league-leading 12.0 sacks this season.
The Titans replaced Dillard with Duncan, who didn’t fare any better. Pro Football Focus credits Duncan with allowing seven pressures, three hurries, two sacks, and two quarterback hits. Duncan scored a season-worst grade of 4.0 (!) in pass protection via 17 legitimate pass block sets. Duncan is now tied for fourth-most sacks allowed with nine despite appearing in just eight games.
It feels borderline impossible. Nearly every obvious Titans passing situation results in an instant pressure or sack. On Sunday, Dillard and Duncan combined to arguably deliver the worst performance of any Titans left tackle this season. The offseason, and an opportunity to upgrade this putrid offensive line, can’t arrive soon enough for Mike Vrabel and Ran Carthon.
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