There is no question that Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis needs to play better moving forward if this team wants to go anywhere in 2024, but he is not the only problem on Tennessee's offense.
The Titans' pass protection has been abysmal over two games, which is nothing new for this franchise. Tennessee's group upfront has surrendered a completely inexcusable 33 pressures over two games, per Pro Football Focus.
After giving up 16 pressures in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, the Titans surrendered 17 in Week 2 versus the New York Jets. Right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was responsible for more than half of those with nine.
Not only has NPF been the weakest link in pass protection among Titans offensive linemen through two games, he has given up more pressures than any offensive lineman in the NFL.
Petit-Frere's 11 pressures allowed account for roughly 33% of the Titans' total pressures given up and are three more than any other lineman in the entire league, regardless of position. NPF has a pass-blocking grade of 38.4 over two games and his two sacks allowed are tied for second.
Of course, NPF is not the only issue upfront for Tennessee, but he is most certainly the biggest and his lackluster showing thus far would make former left tackle Andre Dillard blush.
Dillard took offensive snaps in 12 games for Tennessee in 2023 and gave up 12 sacks and 41 pressures.
If we take NPF's per-game averages of sacks (one) and pressures (5.5) over the first two games, he's on pace for 12 sacks and 66 pressures in 12 contests. If you really want to get nuts and extrapolate NPF's averages over a full 17-game slate, he's on pace for about 93 pressures and 17 sacks.
Are we sure that isn't Dillard in an NPF mask at right tackle? Someone needs to check.
