After a strong defensive effort against the Indianapolis Colts that saw the Tennessee Titans win 25-16, the Titans head to The Big Apple to take on the 0-3 New York Jets at high noon (central) on Sunday. After an odd Week 1, the AFC South seems to be sorting itself out just about how we thought it would. The Titans will look to build upon their 2-1 division-leading start with upcoming games against the Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars, before the Buffalo Bills come to town for Monday Night Football. As it stands now, the Titans are 6.5-point favorites…that number was bet down from 7.5 earlier in the week. The total is set at O/U 44.5.
Titans Keys to Victory: @ New York Jets, 10/3/21
*This is a big attitude game for the Titans – I was a bit critical of this team after the Arizona game. Mike Vrabel talked about the culture and attitude of the team, and coming out to actually be good instead of thinking about being good (or something like that – give me a break that was almost a month ago…). I felt like maybe they were drinking their own Kool-Aid a bit too much. This feels like a letdown spot for the Titans after an emotional comeback win in OT in Seattle and then a hard fought win over a divisional foe. The Titans need to avoid overlooking this team and coming out flat. ‘Any given Sunday’ and what have you.
*Derrick Henry in the passing game – The Jets have a decent defensive front. We heard Ryan Tannehill and Vrabel both talk about it in press conferences this week, with Vrabel particularly mentioning “a rotation of guys” that they can use. And, despite the 0-3 record, they’ve actually fielded a decent run defense. But, they have small linebackers that present a terrible match-up against Derrick Henry. So, how do you avoid that defensive front and capitalize on it? Well, you do what you’ve been doing this season – get Henry out in space, around the edge, and throw the ball to him. Get him to the next level of the Jets defense and let him punish ’em.
*Pressure the edges – the Titans have some pass rush horses in Harold Landry, who is having a career year, and the big free agent acquisition from the Pittsburgh Steelers…
…Ola Adeniyi. We heard Frank Reich talk about how Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen threw some foreign looks at ’em a week ago that kept the Colts from running the ball as they planned. Denico Autry has been opening up plays for Jeffery Simmons, and those two have been finding success on stunts this season as well. Like…this is the game for this Titans defensive front to have a big time coming-out party. The Jets offensive line has been playing poorly, and Zach Wilson has shown a propensity for throwing picks when rattled. So, use this opportunity to go rattle the guy. The coverage downfield is going to be good with Kristian Fulton likely on the Jets’ primary receiving option. Be on the other side of the turnover margin than you were a week ago. If I had to boil it down to one key this week, it’d be to use the pass rush to cave those edges in and create turnovers.
John B from Gang Green Nation and the Locked on Jets Podcast joined me on this week’s episode of The Unofficial Titans Podcast. On it, we talked about how the Jets got to 0-3, the job Robert Saleh has done so far, the progression of Zach Wilson, and what John thinks the Jets will have to do to get the win on Sunday.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or simply smash that play button on the embed below:
Listen to “Ep. 79: Previewing the New York Jets with John B of Gang Green Nation” on Spreaker.Don’t forget to check out our friends at MANSCAPED, who just launched the new Refined Cologne. Get 20% off your entire order and free shipping with the promo code ‘SOBROSTITANS20’ at checkout.
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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