Tennessee Titans Defensive Player Grades & Takeaways From Week 9 Loss to Pittsburgh Steelers
The Tennessee Titans defense has struggled all year in pass defense, but they turned in an uncharacteristic performance in run defense against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was an unexpected letdown against the struggling offense of the Steelers.
It should be no surprise then that the defensive player grades are far from impressive. Let's look at the top five overall grades and grades that stood out on the defensive side of the ball. Player grades courtesy of Pro Football Focus.
Top Five Overall Grades
CB Kristian Fulton - 79.5 Overall Grade
DT Teair Tart - 76.9 Overall Grade
LB Jack Gibbens - 73.1 Overall Grade
OLB Trevis Gipson - 68.2 Overall Grade
OLB Harold Landry - 67.1 Overall Grade
After a tough stretch to start the season, Kristian Fulton has quietly had three excellent games in a row. Fulton has drawn the ire of Titans' fans and head coach Mike Vrabel alike this year, but he seems to be rounding into form while the rest of the secondary crumbles.
Trevis Gipson continues to be on this list week after week. Gipson only played 13 snaps as he continues to see limited action, creating the question of how much more Gipson should play and how soon. As the Titans continue to see struggles on the edge, the question needs to continue to be asked.
Standout Grades
CB Eric Garror - 37.0 Overall Grade
S Elijah Molden - 41.6 Overall Grade
S Terrell Edmunds - 48.0 Overall Grade
The Titans sorely missed now-traded safety Kevin Byard, particularly in run defense. Molden and Edmunds not only struggled in the run game, but were liabilities in the pass game, giving up 5 catches for 46 yards and a touchdown in total.
Garror filled in for Roger McCreary for a second week and continues to be targeted by the opposing team. Garror didn't allow any completions, but his man was routinely open, a continuation of Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Related Titans stories
- WEEK 9 OFFENSIVE GRADES: The Tennessee Titans' offense was up and down against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers' defense. The player grades from the offense show some interesting things, especially on the offensive line. CLICK HERE
- VRABEL TRADE TO PATS?: There are some rumblings out of New England that the Patriots want Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel to be their next head coach. The Titans are in rebuild mode, so would it make sense to actually trade their head coach for draft capital? CLICK HERE
- VRABEL MUM ON QB DECISION: The Tennessee Titans have a decision to make at quarterback soon as Ryan Tannehill gets back to health, but despite rookie Will Levis playing well in two games in Tannehill's absence, Mike Vrabel isn't ready to declare a starter. CLICK HERE
- WEEK 9 DRIVE CHART: The Tennessee Titans took on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a primetime tilt on Thursday Night Football and left with a loss by a score of 20-16. The offense didn't do enough, but there were good moments for the team in a tough environment. CLICK HERE
