Titans defense aims to replicate Week 1 success, stop talented Cowboys
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The new Titans defense passed the entry exam in last Sunday's 26-10 throttling of the Chiefs. Three forced turnovers, a stifling of star running back Jamaal Charles and only one third-down conversion earned the grade.
Tennessee's defense now turns to the Dallas Cowboys, whose offensive weaponry never got on track in Sunday's 28-17 home loss to the 49ers, but not for a lack of talent. Four first-half turnovers -- a fumble by running back DeMarco Murray that resulted in a 49ers score and interceptions tossed by quarterback Tony Romo on three straight possessions -- did the Cowboys in.
But the Titans also understand that Romo leads an offense featuring Murray, star wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten, the No. 2 pass catcher at the position in NFL history, and will probably be a load to handle Sunday when the Cowboys come calling on LP Field.
"They do have a lot of weapons," said Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton, who has led the change to a 3-4 defensive alignment from the previous 4-3 set.
The first-team defense appeared shaky in the preseason, allowing touchdowns on opening drives in the first three games, but totally dominated the Chiefs last Sunday. The AFC's top rusher last year, Charles was held to only 19 rushing yards, and the Chiefs' offense led by veteran quarterback Alex Smith, who was sacked four times, could muster only 15 first downs.
The Titans know this week's defensive challenge increases significantly in facing a Cowboys offense that did move the ball against the 49ers when they weren't turning it over. Romo completed 23 of 37 passes for 281 yards and a late touchdown, while Murray had 118 yards on 22 carries, the best among NFC running backs in Week 1.
"They have a great offense," said Titans free safety Michael Griffin, whose four tackles and an interception against the Chiefs put him among the top 10 leaders in each category in franchise history. Titans cornerback Jason McCourty picked off Smith twice and tipped the ball to Griffith for his interception. "They've got a lot of good guys on that side of the ball. So, we have our work cut out for us this week."
Horton has always been impressed with the much-derided Romo, who is coming off back surgery from each of the last two offseasons. The last three seasons, the Cowboys entered the final game with an 8-7 record and needing a win to make the playoffs, but lost all three.
"When you watch him in the past, he's been a very active quarterback that keeps plays alive with his mobility (and) with his running ability," Horton said of Romo, who needs 154 yards to become just the ninth quarterback in NFL history to have 30,000 career passing yards. "Now, him coming off two back surgeries, I don't know if they are telling him to stay in the pocket. I don't know if he feels healthy, but he's a challenge to contain.
"The longer the play goes, the more good things for them that can potentially happen and the more bad for us. What we do is come after the quarterback and keep them on a spot and make them throw the ball on time."
Romo said earlier this week he was impressed with the Titans and how quickly they have grasped the 3-4 defense, if only having their win over the Chiefs as a singular point of reference.
"They looked good," Romo said. "They move a lot defensively. I think you see a lot of slants on their front while there are different things that get people to be very active. I think you see good secondary play. (No.) 99, (defensive tackle Jurrell) Casey, is a very destructive player. They've got a lot of things going for them."
One that isn't for the remainder of the season is starting middle linebacker Zach Brown, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle Sunday and was placed on injured reserve. He is being replaced by second-year linebacker Zaviar Gooden, who had four tackles, including one for lost yardage, after subbing for Brown.
Gooden played in nine games last year, starting one, after being a third-round draft pick out of Missouri. Brown was second on the team with a career-high 117 tackles last year.
"We looked at a number of games from last year," Horton said of the 6-foot-1, 234-pound Gooden, "and he was one of the ones we were counting to be a key player for us. And he's going to be one of the key players for us. ... He's a work in progress. He's very diligent in his study habits. He's a tough, physical guy downhill. And he's our kind of football player."
New Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said a good defense against the Cowboys' offense was for his own offense to take up where it left off against the Chiefs. Fourth-year quarterback Jake Locker connected with eight different receivers, completing 22 of 33 passes for 266 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a 111.4 passer rating, his third-best as a starter.
While the Titans' defense was getting off the field, the offense was staying on it. The team's 37:44 in time of possession was best for the Titans since 2009. They scored on six of their last eight possessions.
"If we can have that type of production, then it doesn't matter to me what the time of possession is," Whisenhunt said. "You would like to, yes, absolutely, but if what you're asking me is do you want to possibly keep their offense off the field as much as possible, yeah, I think that's a fair thing.
"We don't go in with the idea that we're going to control the clock. I think if we execute and, depending on how the game goes, maybe we can do that, but we're certainly aware that they have a good offense."
