Burgundy & Gold Reaction: Offense Back After Dominating Titans Defense?

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December 4, 2024

by David Earl

Offense Dominates

Washington thoroughly dominated Tennessee’s defense in a 42-13 win. The Titans ranked fourth in yards per play average at 4.9 and eighth in yards per carry average at 4.3 while being the middle of the pack, ranked 18th, in opposing average quarterback rating of 95.9 per game. Jayden Daniels completed 83% of his passes and threw 3 touchdowns to 1 interception to finish with a 114.7 quarterback rating. Daniels also ran for another touchdown, and played a significant role in Washington’s run game, which totaled 267 yards. The rushing attack was led by Brian Robinson Jr. who earned 103 yards on 16 carries, for an average of 6.4 yards per attempt. Probably the most effective runner was Chris Rodriguez Jr., who averaged 7.2 yards per carry. Robinson’s average dropped from 6.4 yards per carry average to 4.2 after his 40 yard touchdown, but Rodriguez still maintained 5.7 yards per carry after his long 25 yard run. The total offensive production produced an average of 6.0 yards per play – is the offense back as we knew it during the 7-2 run? Let us discuss that, as I dive deeper into the numbers using the charts below.

Titans Defense Against Teams With Winning Records
WK W/L Team Matchup Y/P Season Average Matchup Rush   Y/A Season Average Matchup Passer Rating Season Average
3 9-3 Packers 6.4 6.3 5.1 4.8 120.9 99.3
7 10-2 Bills 7.2 5.8 3.7 4.4 116.1 100
8 11-1 Lions 4.8 6.2 6.8 4.8 129.9 110.4
10 8-4 Chargers 5.4 5.3 3.7 4.1 123.1 98.4
11 10-2 Vikings 4.7 5.6 2.5 4 107 103.1
12 8-5 Texans 4.8 5.2 2.4 4.2 78.7 87.4
13 8-5 Wash. 6 5.9 5.9 4.9 114.7 100.9
Titans Defense Allowed Average Per Game 4.9 Yards Per Play (Ranked 4th) 4.3 Rush Y/A (Ranked 8th) 95.9 Passer Rating (Ranked 18th)
Legend: Yards Per Play (Y/P) and Yards Per Attempt (Y/A)
Stats from game gameday box score and Team Rankings

During the games against winning teams, the Titans held 3 of those teams under 5.0 yards per play, including the 11-1 Detroit Lions. In their week 8 matchup the Lions averaged only 4.8 yards per play despite averaging 6.2 yards per rush for the season. The Lions still won in decidedly fashion averaging 6.8 yards per carry average, and  Jared Goff finished with a 129.9 quarterback rating. The Titans’ run defense held 4 of these 7 opponents under 4.0 yards per carry average including holding the Houston Texans to 2.4 yards per carry and Minnesota Vikings to 2.5 yards per carry. The Buffalo Bills, while being held to 3.7 yards per carry, averaged 7.2 yards per play, doing most of their damage in the passing game. Bills quarterback Josh Allen completed 64% of his passes for 323 yards and 2 touchdowns finishing with a 116.1 quarterback rating.

Five of the 7 teams shown above who played against the Titans were more efficient using either the run or passing game, but not both. Washington and the Green Bay Packers had the most balanced and efficient offensive attack against the Titans’ defense through the air and on the ground. Washington averaged 6.0 yards per play, with 5.9 yards per rush attempt and a passer rating of 114.7, while the Packers averaged slightly more yards per play at 6.4. The Packers were less successful using the run game compared to Washington, averaging 4.8 yards per rush, but had a higher quarterback rating of 120.9, as Malik Willis was in for the injured Jordan Love. As Washington has done for most of the season, they convincingly handled a team they should have beat, and were able onto the 7th wildcard playoff spot.

Titans Defense Against Teams With Losing Records
WK W/L Team Matchup Y/P Season Average Matchup Rush   Y/A Season Average Matchup Passer Rating Season Average
1 4-8 Bears 2.8 4.6 3.8 4.2 55.7 85.9
2 3-9 Jets 4.7 4.9 4.2 4.1 98.7 88.2
4 5-7 Dolphins 3.4 5.1 3.5 4 73.3 97.8
6 6-7 Colts 4.1 5.3 2.9 4.4 77.6 76.6
9 3-10 Patriots 4.5 4.7 5.5 4.5 69.8 82.1
Titans Defense Allowed Average Per Game 4.9 Yards Per Play (Ranked 4th) 4.3 Rush Y/A (Ranked 8th) 95.9 Passer Rating (Ranked 18th)
Legend: Yards Per Play (Y/P) and Yards Per Attempt (Y/A)
Stats from game gameday box score and Team Rankings

Against teams with losing records, the Lions’ defensive numbers are the polar opposite, as previously discussed. Outside of allowing a 98.7 quarterback rating to the New York Jets in week 2, the Titans held each team to at or under their respective season averages. Their week 1 performance was the best of the season, in which they held the Chicago Bears to 2.8 yards per offensive play. The Bears also finished with a 55.7 quarterback rating, with their only touchdowns coming from a blocked punt returned 21 yards and an interception returned 43 yards. The best offense they played in these 5 games was the Indianapolis Colts, who were ranked 16th in 5.3 yards per offensive play and 13th in rushing at 4.4 yards per attempt; however, they were the worst passing team averaging a 76.6 quarterback rating.

What does this all say about Washington’s 42-13 win over the Titans more specifically the play of their offense? Jayden Daniels looked his best since his rib injury and was more like the quarterback he was during the first 6 games of the season. His accuracy and overall quarterback rating aligned more consistently to the start of his season while the run game looked healthy for the first time in over a month, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt.  Keep in mind, though, the impact of their strength of schedule at this point of the season.

Heading into the week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, they faced a defense that had allowed 5.0 yards per play, ranked 8th at the time of the season. Washington took advantage of a poor run defense in Cleveland, which allowed 4.6 yards per carry average rushing for a total of 215 yards rushing in 34 attempts. It was not the best of games for Daniels, who completed 50% of his passes, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception, for an 85.1 quarterback rating, but Washington’s total offense averaged 6.7 yards per play. In their three significant losses against Super Bowl contenders, Washington’s offensive average yardage per play was just 5.4 against the Ravens, 4.1 against the Steelers, and 4.2 against the Eagles. Therefore, looking at this past game alone, yes, they appear back to beating the teams they should beat, with the exception being the disgrace of the Dallas Cowboys game and being competitive with the top teams in the NFL.

 

A Couple of Other Key Points

The debut of Marshon Lattimore could be after this bye week against his former team, the New Orleans Saints. As a reminder, Lattimore is the 2nd-least targeted corner in the NFL at 9.7%, and he allows a completion percentage of 12.3% under expected when targeted, which is ranked the 3rd lowest according to Next Gen Stats. His addition and the recent play of rookie Mike Sainristil could affect the defense in an immense way. Dan Quinn will have more freedom with his defense, something which I outlined in more detail here. As Lattimore will potentially provide a boost for the defense, Chris Rodriguez Jr.’s performance thus far looks to be encouraging. In his opportunities this season, Rodriguez Jr. has rushed for 150 yards at an average of 5.8 yards per carry. With Austin Eckler on injured reserve and the journeyman running back being a career 4.4 yards per carry runner, he could provide a great balance with Robinson, especially considering Robinson’s recent injuries. Being able to preserve Robinson during key moments of the games heading down the stretch during this playoff run will be invaluable.

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