NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans' defense improved in 2013 over 2012 in multiple statistical categories.
Tennessee allowed 90 fewer points, 29 fewer first downs, 592 less yards and improved significantly in third-down defense. Opponents in 2013 converted 69 of 201 (34.3 percent) of third downs, after succeeding on 85 of 214 plays (39.7 percent) the season before.
"We're right there. We capitalized on third down this year," safety Michael Griffin said. "We just need to (fix) mistakes. A lot of times we killed ourselves with mistakes and we just need to be more consistent and more disciplined."
The Titans' red zone defense stayed about the same, however, one area to target going forward is the success rate that opponents had in goal-to-go situations. Opponents scored touchdowns on seven of the 11 times they had the ball inside the Tennessee 10-yard line.
Tennessee reduced the number of offensive plays, rush attempts, pass attempts and completions this season from the one before and lowered quarterbacks' completion percentage from 66.3 in 2012 to 63.1 percent in 2013. The Titans finished 7-9, with six losses by one possession and three by three points or less.
"Defensively, the numbers were real bad last year, statistically," Titans coach Mike Munchak said. "All those numbers are obviously much, much better as far as points, rankings, where we ended up. The only important ranking is we obviously didn't make the playoffs."
Another category to try to reduce going forward is first downs by penalty. Flags on Tennessee's defenders gave opponents 30 first downs in 2013, which was four more than the season before and undermined the improvements made in other categories.
The chart below highlights differences in multiple statistical categories in Tennessee's defense from 2012 to 2013:
Category
2012
2013
Change
Points Allowed
471
381
90 fewer
Opponent First Downs
358
329
29 fewer
First Downs by Rushing
122
108
14 fewer
First Downs by Passing
210
191
19 fewer
First Downs by Penalty
26
30
4 more
Opp. 3rd Down Conv.
85/214 (39.7%)
69/201 (34.3%)
5.4% less
Opp. 4th Down Conv.
6/14 (42.9%)
7/11 (63.6%)
20.7% more
Opp. Red Zone Conv.
37/58 (63.8%)
32/50 (64%)
8 fewer trips inside 20
Goal to Go Conversions
25/33 (75.8%)
25/32 (78.1%)
1 fewer trip inside 10
Opp. Total Net Yards
5,999
5,407
592 less
Opp. Offensive Plays
1,086
1,027
59 fewer
Opp. Net Rushing Yards
2,035
1,795
240 less
Opp. Rushes
483
446
37 less
Opp. Net Passing Yards
3,964
3,612
352 less
Opp. Pass Attempts
564
545
19 fewer
Opp. Pass Completions
374
344
30 fewer
Opp. Completion %
66.3%
63.1%
3.2% less
Opp. Avg. Per Pass
6.6
6.2
.4 less
Sacks
39
36
3 fewer
Interceptions
19
13
6 fewer
Fumbles/Fum. Lost
15-5
24-12
9 more-7 more
