Scouting Report: Dissecting the Titans' Run Defense Woes

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Commanders started Sunday’s game with an attitude, played like the aggressors and wanted to punch the Titans in the face early. And that is just what they did.

Washington had an aggressive offensive game plan that showed every element in its arsenal early on the first drive. They used the downhill run game with Brian Robinson, zone reads with Jayden Daniels and a mix of short to deep passes with Zach Ertz and Terry McLaurin. The emptying of the playbook on the first possession forced the Titans’ defense to cover the entire field early.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, right, scores a touchdown past Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark) — *Nick Westbrook Ikhine collects the first of his two TDs against the Commanders/ ASSOCIATED PRESS*

The Commanders' defensive game plan was to rush the passer and play the run with similar stunts and twits by their defensive line. They added do-it-all linebacker Frankie Luvu as an outside rusher and inside-stacked linebacker to create confusion among the Titans’ offensive line. The games they played up front and the added blitzer were confusing and disruptive.

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