It certainly feels weird that it’s only Week 2 and we’re gearing up for a primetime Tennessee Titans American tackle football game. I’m used to waiting 10 weeks before we get a Titans-Jags Thursday Night Football game – my, how the times have changed. Nonetheless, tonight presents a tough task for the Titans. They’ll take the field in Buffalo for a showdown with 1-0 Buffalo Bills, who are coming off of a dominant win over the defending Super Bowl champs. The sportsbooks certainly aren’t giving the Titans much of a chance (or maybe they’re just trying to make a big payday from all the people smashing the Bills here), setting the line at around 10 points in favor of the Bills. It seems like it’d be just like Mike Vrabel‘s Titans to lose as a heavy favorite at home and then go upset one of the best teams in the league as a double-digit underdog. If they are going to pull off the upset, there are a few things they should clean up beforehand.
*Don’t blow coverages – Yes, this one is simple. If you are covering an opposing wide receiver, simply do not stop running when they are attacking down the field.
*Throw the ball more – all of the ingredients are there. All of the signs point towards “throw more.” You had Treylon Burks getting open, Ryan Tannehill played his ass off, and the offensive line was excellent in pass pro. The Titans were highly efficient throwing the ball on first down. I don’t know how much clearer of a sign you could ask for!
*Execution – People criticized the play-calling in the Giants game, and rightfully so in some cases. But, it goes beyond that. Plays were there to be made, and players simply didn’t make them. People reamed the 3rd & 1 end-around to Chig Okonkwo, but the reality is that that play probably works if Taylor Lewan doesn’t get beat. Tory Carter blew the edge wide open on the Kingcat play that could’ve easily been a score, but Derrick Henry dropped the snap. These are just a couple of examples off the top of my head. The players have to execute better.
*Adapt and adjust – above all else, if it ain’t workin’, get away from it, and if it is workin’ lean into it. It didn’t feel like this staff did that enough in the Giants game. Top of mind is the final drive of the game when Burks was getting open on every rep, but they didn’t throw to him, and then they took him out of the game. I guess that’s not NOT adapting…it’s adapting in the wrong direction. So, yeah – don’t do shit like that.
All in all, this is still going to be a good football team, and the sky is indeed not falling. It’s going to be tough to pull off, especially when you’re down one of your best cornerbacks against this vaunted Bills receiving corps. But, this is a mentally tough football team (as an underdog) that should be able to run the ball at this pass rush effectively and agitate Josh Allen with their stout defensive front. This should be another good game in this underrated rivalry in the AFC.
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The Unofficial Titans Podcast on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or wherever you take in your podcasts! Or, you can simply smash that play button on the embed below to listen to Owen and me catch up on the Giants game before previewing Monday night’s Bills-Titans game:
Listen to “Ep. 115: Throw *checks notes* Yeah, THROW the Damn Ball” 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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