John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Defenses can be a very hit or miss proposition in fantasy football, and one of the surprising hits of Week 1 was the Tennessee Titans. The Titans completed controlled the Kansas City Chiefs on the road, holding them to just 10 points and 245 yards of offense. The Titans really helped their fantasy owners with big plays as well, recording 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. So, are the Titans worth adding for next week?
The answer, as usual, is it depends. If you have a rock solid defense like the Seattle Seahawks or Carolina Panthers, obviously you aren’t dropping them for the Titans. However, if you were stuck with an underperforming team in Week 1 or have a bad matchup in Week 2, the Titans could be a worthy addition.
Tennessee was a middle of the road defense last season, finishing 14th in the NFL in total defense and 16th in scoring defense. It’s just one game, but they don’t seem to be missing Alterraun Verner too badly, and newcomer Wesley Woodyard made an instant impact. There is talent on this defense, and they are more than just a team that took advantage of poor play calling from Andy Reid.
The Titans have their home opener against the Dallas Cowboys this week, who looked abysmal in Week 1. The Cowboys turned the ball over four times and gave up three sacks, and there is definitely an opportunity for the Titans to take advantage of Tony Romo. However, be conscious of the strong game DeMarco Murray had in Week 1, and it is important to note that the Titans were not tested by Jamaal Charles (only 7 carries). Additionally, Dez Bryant has the ability to be unstoppable at times, a concern for the Titans and fantasy owners.
Overall, this is a solid matchup if you are looking for a new D/ST. The Cowboys are not going to scare anyone, and the Titans proved in Week 1 they can be productive. Additionally, they have two explosive return men in Dexter McCluster and Leon Washington, so you never know when you’ll get a return TD.
The Titans are only a temporary solution, as they play at the Cincinnati Bengals and at the Indianapolis Colts in Weeks 3 and 4. However, they have quite a few favorable matchups after that, and this is a team worth keeping an eye on. In the immediate future, the Titans are not a top defense for Week 2, but you could certainly do a lot worse. If you need a new D/ST this week, the Titans are one of the better options you’ll find on the waiver wire.
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