The Tennessee Titans totally shit the bed against the New York Jets, as seven point favorites no less, a week ago. They’re still currently sitting atop the AFC South at 2-2, but they can ill afford a loss this Sunday, as they travel to DUUUUUUUVAL for a date with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Titans are currently 4.5-point favorites against the 0-4 Jags, with a point total set at O/U 48.5. Despite being 0-4, the Jags are trending in the right direction after playing a competitive game against the Cincinnati Bengals a week ago. As you’ll see, my keys to a victory on Sunday involve a lot of routine clean-up from the coaching staff. I know it’s only the 5th game of the season, but this is must-win territory for the Titans if they want to re-establish themselves as a legitimate contender in the AFC. The schedule’s about to get a whole lot tougher, with the Bills, Chiefs, Colts, Rams, and Saints on deck after Sunday’s trip to Jacksonville.
Titans Keys to Victory: @ Jacksonville, 10/10/21
*Enough with the soft coverage – It has to stop, right?!? I mean, at a certain point, we have to hit a wall and realize that this just ain’t it, chief. Stop allowing 2-3 massively explosive plays a game! And, less Kristian Fulton in the slot while we’re at it. I mean, for real….why are we messing with what works? I don’t know if it’s coaching or if it’s just players making bad judgment calls, but lining up 8 yards off your guy is allowing big plays, and that gives bad football teams hope (see: last week at the New York Jets). With this Jags team seemingly getting their shit together, against the Bengals, you can’t allow them to find hope. If they do, it could be deja vu all over again.
*Simplification in the red zone – Everyone and their mama has mentioned that Derrick Henry owns the Jags this week, and sure, he’s the best Titan on the field on Sundays, but you can’t just expect the same shit every year. My angle here is that they need to keep him on the field in critical situations, throw him the ball, and damn it Todd Downing, don’t get too cute. If he’s your best player, give him the ball and let him make plays with the game on the line. I’d also add ‘simplify things in the red zone (and in short yardage, for that matter)’ to this key to victory as we saw several plays bust a week ago because of the Titans offense getting away from its bread and butter. Slow things down, and stick with what works.
*Offensive line – Again, this is a big ‘clean up’ game that the Titans should use to take a step back and get back to basics. That offensive line has to clean up the pass protection and eliminate the dumb penalties. Maybe the solution is a change along the line? What happened to Kendall Lamm? Wasn’t he supposed to compete for that right tackle job? Maybe it’s coaching? Why not try more three tight end sets to bring guys in to help? I’m just spitballin’ here, but the point is that the offensive line needs a good long look in the mirror, and it has to get things right on Sunday.
Check out the latest episode of The Unofficial Titans Podcast, on which we break down Sunday’s game against the Jags with Phil Smith of Bleav in the Jaguars, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or you can simply smash that play button on the embed below:
Listen to “Ep. 80: Previewing the Jaguars with Phil Smith of Bleav in the Jaguars” on Spreaker.Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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