The Tennessee Titans are in a precarious position as they head into their Week 4 Monday Night Football matchup against the Miami Dolphins. With a winless 0-3 start to the season, the Titans desperately need a victory to avoid falling further behind. A fourth consecutive loss would put the team in a deep hole, making a playoff push later in the season much more difficult.
Throughout the season, the Titans have shown moments of promise, but their overall performance has been inconsistent, culminating in a particularly poor showing in their Week 3 loss to the Green Bay Packers. In that game, the defense struggled significantly with missed tackles, a glaring issue that must be corrected if they hope to turn things around. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson emphasized that tackling is a fundamental aspect the team must improve on moving forward.
Wilson, speaking through team reporter Jim Wyatt, addressed the issue head-on, explaining that better tackling starts in practice. “You just have to stress it,” Wilson said. “It starts in individual drills, whether the pads are on or off. Guys have to run to the ball, get into position, lower their center of gravity, and simulate finishing on the ball.” His comments reflect a broader focus on discipline and technique, stressing that attention to detail in practice will translate into game performance.
One of the biggest problems the Titans faced in their loss to the Packers was their inability to wrap up and bring down ball carriers. In that game, Tennessee registered 15 missed tackles, which led to an additional 118 yards gained by Green Bay. This lapse in execution was a critical factor in the Titans’ defeat, as it extended drives and allowed the Packers to control the game. Wilson noted that prior to Week 3, the team had been tackling well, even during the preseason, but the breakdown against the Packers was a major setback.
Despite the rough outing, Wilson remains confident that the Titans are capable of performing at a higher level. He believes the team’s earlier performances this season showcased their potential, even if the results haven’t been favorable. However, he made it clear that the team cannot dwell on past games. “For us, even preseason to that point, we were doing a great job of tackling,” Wilson stated, but he acknowledged that what truly matters is how the team responds and adjusts going forward.
The Titans must now channel their efforts into correcting these mistakes and producing a stronger performance in Week 4. Improving their tackling will be a key factor in determining whether they can secure their first victory of the season against a tough Dolphins team. With the stakes rising and the pressure mounting, the Titans need to find a way to execute more effectively on both sides of the ball. A victory on Monday Night Football could provide the spark they need to turn their season around, but it will require a disciplined and focused effort, starting with better tackling.
