How does Titans’ backfield rank in AFC South?
While the NFL has developed into a more pass-heavy league, a strong running game is still an essential element to winning. The days of the No. 1 running back who handles most of the work on the ground are gone in favor of more versatile backfields that utilize multiple players.
The AFC South has a good set of defenses that’ll require a well-balanced offensive scheme to beat. Which team is best equipped to put together a strong rushing attack?
4. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were handcuffed offensively last season thanks to the year-long absence of starting quarterback Andrew Luck. Without Luck, Indianapolis looked like a team in the midst of a full rebuild.
The Colts’ offense wasn’t very good in general, but it finished No. 22 in rushing yards and No. 24 in rushing DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) according to Football Outsiders. They lost Frank Gore, who led the team in rushing last season, but he was a 34-year-old with a ton of miles. The Colts don’t have a proven back to roll out there, but rookie Nyheim Hines is a good runner and an electric receiver. Running back Marlon Mack had some flashes of brilliance last year, too. Indianapolis might be a little better on the ground this year, but it’s last in the division in this regard until it rolls out a consistent running game.
3. Houston Texans
The Texans also saw their rushing attack suffer in part because of the loss of their quarterback last season. Running back Lamar Miller had a decent year, and D’Onta Foreman averaged more than 4.0 yards-per-carry in his rookie year as Houston churned out the No. 14 rushing offense in the NFL last season.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Texans’ run game benefits from having the very athletic Deshaun Watson back under center this season. Ultimately the
success of their run game will rely on the emergence of a lead back. They’ll need to find a proven commodity at that spot if they’re going to surpass the backfields ahead of them in the division.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville churned out the NFL’s No. 1 rushing attack last season behind a tremendous rookie campaign from Leonard Fournette. Part of the reason they led the league in rushing yards was because they also led the league in rushing attempts.
They tied for seventh in yards-percarry and finished 12th in DVOA. Fournette is an outstanding player as long as he’s healthy, and T.J. Yeldon is a capable backup. However, quarterback Blake Bortles finished No. 3 on the team in rushing yards last season behind running back Chris Ivory, who is no longer
This seems like a homer pick, but the Titans’ moves to release DeMarco Murray and add Dion Lewis pushed them over the Jaguars this offseason. Derrick Henry was already one of the best running backs in the division, and adding the versatile Lewis gave the Titans a weapon they haven’t had over the past few seasons.
The Titans were No. 15 in rushing last season, but No. 8 in DVOA. Henry and Lewis combined for 1,640 yards on 356 rushes. They’ll be easily the best backfield in the division if they continue to average 4.6 yards-per-carry this season. That combined with Lewis’ receiving prowess could give the Titans the best backfield in the NFL.
Kyle Madson writes for Titanswire.com and contributes to the USA TODAY Network-Tennessee.