The Tennessee Titans’ offense is not the same without Derrick Henry, that was clear before. Still, the collapse of the offense without Henry is remarkable. In week twelve, the Titans travel to the New England Patriots, their biggest test yet.

Munich/Foxborough – Everything could actually be so beautiful with the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have won six of their last seven games, are 7-0 against last year’s playoff teams and sit atop the AFC.

On top of that, the defence is currently one of the strongest in the league, especially in the pass rush. But Nashville’s offense isn’t as golden as its shiny record. In fact, on closer inspection, it’s rather tinny at the moment. Before the duel with the New England Patriots, the team has a lot of problems.

“King” Henry is missing at every turn

This is, of course, due to the absence of Derrick Henry. Logically, a team is naturally much weaker without its best player. If you take a look at the Bundesliga, you can see this very well with Borussia Dortmund and Erling Haaland.

For quite a few people, the position of running back is the easiest to replace. After all, his success depends a lot on the offensive line and the quarterback’s ability to read a defence. But that doesn’t seem to be the case with the Titans. It feels like everyone on the offense is playing below their capabilities right now.

Henry’s designated replacement, future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson, couldn’t begin to fill the shoes of the reigning Offensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, “AP” is also out of a job, with the Titans cutting him later this week.

A matter of confidence…

At the end of the day, it’s a head thing – and that’s all too understandable. You automatically play with more confidence when there’s a bulldozer named Henry next to you in the huddle, who your opponent can only get under control with the greatest of difficulty and break an undefined amount of tackles at any time.

That’s especially true for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Who once said of Henry at a media roundtable, “He’s just built differently, he’s shown that over the last few years.” He, too, can’t wait for his partner in the backfield to return: “I pray every day that he comes back stronger and as soon as possible from injury.”

The playmaker could always rely on Henry. Second try and four yards? The ball went to Henry, inwardly Tannehill may have already been focusing on the coming first down play. If this vital element is missing, Tannehill’s head will also be rattling.

.. and a question of scheme

“We have to get creative,” was Head Coach Mike Vrabel’s announcement in early November. “We have to look at how we can manage to keep moving the ball.” Indeed, that has been a problem lately: against the Los Angeles Rams, there were only 194 yards of offense, a measly three and a half yards per play. The reason for the win was the outstanding defence.

This only underlines why Henry is so important, especially schematically. When he’s on the field, the defence has to adjust to him. That opens up holes behind the linebackers and one-on-one duels for the receivers. If he’s missing, an easy box is all that’s needed against the Titans’ running game. Because the Titans’ offensive line is in the bottom third of the NFL.