The Tennessee Titans, sitting at 0-3 so far this 2026 season, might be in for an 0-4 start with the Baltimore Ravens next on their schedule.
Baltimore’s defense could give Cam Ward some trouble, and Lamar Jackson can be a nightmare to defend. But the real issue for the Titans is with Derrick Henry in his first game against his former team since joining the Ravens.
ESPN’s Jamison Hensley shared why the Titans’ defense might be in a world of trouble against Henry this weekend. Thanks to one big tackling problem for the Titans, Henry has a chance to put up incredible numbers against his former team this week.
Derrick Henry can crush Titans thanks to one big defensive problem
“Tackling will be a major factor in how Henry fares in his first game against his former team,” Hensley writes. “This season, Henry has gained 138 rushing yards after first contact, which is the third most in the NFL. The Titans have given up 220 rushing yards after contact, which is third-worst in the league.”
With how good Henry is after contact on his rushing attempts, gaining the third-most yards in the league after contact, he’s someone every defense has to be wary of.
The issue for the Titans is that they’re one of the worst teams at yards-after-contact this season. They’ve allowed 220 rushing yards this season after making first contact with a rusher.
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Considering the Titans have seen teams run the ball 104 times on them this season for 379 yards, the 220 yards allowed after contact is not a good sign for the Titans’ defense.
This is made all the worse considering their opponent, Henry, is one of the best after-contact runners in the NFL right now.
So, not only are the Titans not great at stopping running backs on first contact, but Henry is elite at getting yards after a defender first makes contact.
What does this mean for Henry’s first game against his former team? Well, it likely means the Ravens’ running back is in store for quite a day this weekend, as Henry vs. this Titans defense has the makings of a massive performance.
