Fansided

Power ranking the NFL defenses for 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts is sacked by Harold Landry #58 of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts is sacked by Harold Landry #58 of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

18. Tennessee Titans

2018 Review: The arrival of new head coach Mike Vrabel also meant a change at defensive coordinator so enter Dean Pees. And although the Titans finished eighth in the league in yards allowed and sixth vs. the pass, the club was a mediocre 18th in the NFL vs. the run. Talk about an up-and-down year on this side of the ball? Tennessee surrendered just 117 points in nine victories but 186 points in seven setbacks – the latter 26.6 points per game. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard led the team in stops and Kevin Byard paced the club with four interceptions.

2019 Key Additions: In recent years, the team has spent money on cornerbacks Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler. This offseason, GM Jon Robinson did not break the bank to add a pair of veteran defensive linemen in pass-rusher Cameron Wake (Dolphins) and Brent Urban – the latter playing under Pees in Baltimore. The Titans selected six players in April’s draft, four on defense, and used the 19th overall pick on defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.

Analysis: Pees is one of the league’s better defensive minds. But the Titans’ inconsistency on this side of the ball in 2018 was surprising. This defense must find a way to come up with some big plays and also re-establish its ability to stop the run. Tennessee’s young pass-rushers must step to the forefront and the addition of Wake means a mentor for Landry and company. Last year’s late-season failures vs. the Colts and Texans were a bit disturbing.

Next: No. 17

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