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Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Back in 2019, the Titans faced a similar win-and-in scenario in the final week of the season. Tennessee ultimately gave the ball to Derrick Henry a total of 32 times, emphatically winning its way into the playoffs.
This momentum-altering performance set up Henry’s eventual legendary postseason run where he carried the team to the AFC Championship game.
The very next season, the team faced a similar scenario once again, albeit for the division championship instead of a wild card berth. King Henry went on to rush for 250 yards on 34 carries.
One year later, the Titans found themselves in another massive season finale, this time with home-field advantage on the line for the entire playoffs.
With Henry sidelined due to a foot injury, the team was forced to rely on the tandem of D’Onta Foreman and Dontrell Hilliard. The two of them combined for over 120 yards rushing on 30 carries.
In case you don’t see the pattern here, when a Vrabel-led Titans team has had to fight for something at the end of the year, they usually go out swinging with their most consistent punch.
More often than not, it’s led to some successful outings whenever Tennessee commits to at least 30 rush attempts this late in the season.
Since 2019, the Titans are 5-0 in meaningful season finales and/or playoff games in which they run the ball for a minimum of 30 times, and 0-3 in games where they don’t eclipse at least 30 carries as a team.
A similar approach to this contest should give the Titans their best chance this time around, especially considering the obvious limitations surrounding the passing game.
Also, despite the struggles around him, Henry has still somehow amassed over 1,800 yards from scrimmage this season (1,429 rushing, 379 receiving).
.@KingHenry_2 eyes another 1,500-yard, 15-TD season for #Titans. pic.twitter.com/k7XkTtPo3C
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 5, 2023
Now that the Titans’ season is on the line, if they want their best chance at spoiling the Jaguars’ postseason plans, it would be wise for them to get the ball to their best player and live or die on the back of No. 22.
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