Friday, October 30, 2020

Tennessee Titans Week 8 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Tennessee Titans rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 6.2 (7th)
  • Best ranking: 4th (USA Today)
  • Worst ranking: 7th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Titans in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 7

On a second-and-8 in the second quarter against Pittsburgh, Ryan Tannehill scrambled up the middle and took a vicious hit from linebacker Vince Williams. The ball was jarred loose, but Tennessee recovered. Tannehill popped back up, went back to the huddle and on the next play threw a touchdown to Corey Davis. That sequence represents the Titans well. They are hard to kill. They could have easily let up after falling behind 27-7 and said it wasn't their day. But they battled back and were positioned to force overtime had Stephen Gostkowski connected on a 45-yard field goal with 19 seconds left.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 7

The defense just isn't good enough right now. They battled in losing to the Steelers, rallying to get into the game, but the defense has to be better.

USA Today -- Rank: 4

The value of DE Jadeveon Clowney, who's still sack-less, has rarely been reflected by stat sheet. But he's never going to get $20 million per year without being a more productive pass rusher.

ESPN -- Rank: 6

Who needs to step up: OLB/DE Jadeveon Clowney

Winning the Clowney sweepstakes was supposed to push the Titans' defense over the top. Clowney has put some pressure on the quarterback, but the Titans have yet to experience the type of game-wrecking performance that compelled them to sign him. Tennessee is last in opponent third-down percentage (60%). A large part of that percentage is due to the Titans' inability to get pressure on the quarterback. Through six games, the Titans only have six sacks. All of the blame shouldn't fall on Clowney, but he hasn't had the impact that was expected when Tennessee reunited him with Mike Vrabel. -- Turron Davenport

NFL.com -- Rank: 7

We'll give Mike Vrabel's team credit for showing some moxie. The Titans didn't pack it in after falling behind the Steelers by 20 points in the third quarter, chipping away at the deficit and eventually putting themselves in position for a game-tying field-goal attempt in the final minute. Unfortunately, Bad Stephen Gostkowski returned, and Tennessee's comeback bid fell short. Gostkowski's inconsistent performance remains a concern, but this loss should be hung on a defense that couldn't get enough stops. Pittsburgh converted on 13 of its 18 third downs, keeping the defense on the field and, more importantly, keeping Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry pinned to the bench. The Titans were hammered in the time-of-possession battle, and it cost them.

+ Previous update: Tennessee Titans Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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