NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Defensive linemen
The Titans were able to collapse the pocket against Atlanta and sack Matt Ryan five times. Click here for a slideshow from the game. |
Other aspects could be attributed to making it an emphasis this week and executing on multiple opportunities created by the Falcons’ commitment to passing from the pocket with Matt Ryan.
“We had an emphasis going into this game to get after the quarterback and disrupt the passer and give us a chance,” Morgan said. “We know Atlanta has a really explosive offense. The secondary gave us a chance to get back there and gave us time to get back there and disrupt it.”
The first sack, which was shared by
Morgan recorded the next sack on Atlanta’s next possession to force another punt after the Falcons had moved the ball to midfield, and
“We got a feel of what they were doing after that first drive,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said. “We were able to get some pressure with the guys up front. I think there (were) five sacks among the starting group which was good to see. You could see the confidence growing as we started getting stops, getting the quarterback. That is what we were hoping to see, also. That’s what we were hoping to be able to do. I thought the linebackers did a good of bringing pressure also.”
Casey surged through the line on Atlanta’s opening possession of the second half, wrapping up Ryan with an athletic play, and linebacker
“Every time it was all four of us almost around the quarterback getting to him,” Casey said. “We’ve been working hard in practice in trying to get to the quarterback. We’ve all got goals in breaking records this year. In order to get that done, we’ve got to all help each other out. We all have been working as a unit. It’s great when you have everybody around you to make things much easier.”
PHYSICAL SECONDARY: Part of the defensive plan was for defenders to be more physical with Falcons receivers, and the Titans felt like they generally accomplished that.
The combination of Ryan and Davis went 18-for-33 passing for 243 yards with one touchdown (Davis to Darius Johnson in the third quarter) and one interception, which was recorded by linebacker
NEXT MEN UP: Tennessee played without its three starting linebackers —
Veteran
Casey said he and Morgan talked about taking “it up a notch” to compensate for the number of guys who were banged up.
“In order to be a dominant defense, we’ve got to make sure we can do it without the other guys, and when they come back, it’s going to take us to an even higher level,” Casey said.
LOCKED IN: It took two possessions before Tennessee’s offense began to click, but when it did, quarterback
Locker completed 11 of 13 passes for 133 yards and a passer rating of 134.9. He said the more important stat was Tennessee having the bigger number on the scoreboard.
“We won. That’s all I care about,” Locker said. “It was how we wanted to play. We came out and executed. We were able to continually move the ball and stack completions together. I think any time you’re able to do that, you give yourself a lot better of a chance of having the outcome we did tonight. That’s what you shoot for always.”
Munchak said Locker continued a solid preseason and receivers avoided drops that loomed large a week before at Cincinnati.
“I think he just made some great throws,” Munchak said. “I thought the guys dropped the ball last week, and we were doing some things we normally wouldn’t do. Kenny (Britt) had some nice catches, Nate (Washington), spread it around pretty well, (Justin) Hunter, (