As long as Derrick Henry is running strong, the Tennessee Titans will be just fine.
Despite an off night, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry delivered a powerful stiff arm on Bills cornerback Josh Norman and sent a message. If he is running strong, the Titans will go strong. In other words, he is the engineer of the teams’ success.
Following a 42-16 win over Buffalo on Tuesday to cap off Week 5, the Titans continue to be perfect on the season at 4-0, even while dealing with a massive COVID-19 outbreak within their organization.
Though Ryan Tannehill proved that he is a decent quarterback and proper game manager away from Adam Gase, the reality of the situation is that Derrick Henry is what makes the Titans what they are, a physical football team.
Henry did rush for two touchdowns, albeit while having 57 yards on 19 carries. Pedestrian, yet effective. That’s just what the Titans are all about under the stewardship of head coach Mike Vrabel, who is more known for his days as a linebacker with the New England Patriots.
The yards don’t matter for Derrick Henry and the Titans — on the points
No running back is ever satisfied with less than 60 yards rushing. But in a league where passing has become a regular, they will do what it takes to win.
Henry was known for being the hero at Alabama where they rarely threw the football. And in his first few years in Tennessee, that’s what they did as well. Now, as Tannehill becomes more comfortable, Henry will still be the leader, but it may not require him to carry the bulk of the load and instead, drive at a reasonable pace.
Though the Titans appear to be a well-balanced team, a fact should not be avoided by all spectators. Derrick Henry is still the engineer of the team, even if he isn’t blowing the whistle every game.