Titans Have Struggled With Kickoff Touchbacks
The team leads the NFL in touchbacks, putting opponents at an disadvantageous field position.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Football
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The Tennessee Titans have recorded a league-high 66.7% touchback rate on kickoffs through the first two weeks of the 2026 season. This performance leaves opponents with an average starting field position at the 37-yard line, significantly higher than the NFL average.
Why it matters
The team intends to force returns to create more favorable field outcomes, but the current strategy has resulted in consistent touchbacks that benefit opposing offenses. With touchbacks now resulting in a start at the 35-yard line, giving up such yardage makes defensive stops more difficult.
The Titans have allowed opponents to start at the 37-yard line on average, well above the league mark of the 30.8-yard line. This high touchback rate occurs despite team efforts to force returns under the league's permanent dynamic kickoff rule.
The players
Tennessee Titans
This professional football team is based in Nashville and competes in the AFC South division of the NFL.
Joey Slye
He is a professional placekicker who recently attempted a kickoff that landed short of the designated landing zone.
Philadelphia Eagles
This professional football team handed the Titans a 24-20 loss during the second week of the season.
The details
The Titans aim to limit field gains by using a spiral turnover technique to keep kicks short of the end zone, yet the team has struggled to avoid frequent touchbacks. The squad is currently 0-2 following a 24-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
Timeline
In April 2025, NFL owners voted to make the dynamic kickoff rule permanent.
During the 2024 season, the NFL experimented with the dynamic kickoff.
In Week 2 of the 2026 season, the Titans lost to the Eagles 24-20.
September 24, 2026, marks the publication of this story.
On September 27, 2026, the Titans will play the New York Giants.
Season Trajectory
The Titans' inability to manipulate field position directly impacts their defensive efficiency and current 0-2 start. This trend forces the team to reconsider its kicking approach before the matchup against the Giants to salvage the season's outlook.
The Titans' high touchback frequency has forced their defense to defend significantly shorter fields than the rest of the league. This consistency issue complicates game-plan execution for upcoming matchups and impacts the team's overall scoring differential.
The takeaway
The team must refine its specialized kicking techniques to force more returns and improve starting field position for the defense. Successful field position management remains a critical factor for teams struggling to secure their first win of the season.
Further reading
For more on how teams are adapting to new league rules, visit Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mail Online.
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