Football is back, baby! It’s been roughly eight long months since the Tennessee Titans were unceremoniously dumped from the postseason, and this fan base has eagerly been awaiting the moment this team could take the field and march towards redemption. That quest begins on Sunday afternoon when the New York Giants head to Nissan Stadium for a 3:25PM CST kickoff. The line for this game has sat, fat and happy, at Titans -5.5 all week like a rock, with a point total set at over/under 43.5 (keep an eye on the forecast because Tennessee weather can cut on a dime). ESPN’s match-up predictor gives the Titans a 76.2% chance of winning this game. So, the oddsmakers and analysts are leaning HEAVILY towards the Titans in this game, but there are a couple of specific match-ups in this game that do concern me if I’m betting heavy on the Titans.
For one, it’s the Titans offensive line going up against a Giants defensive line that is underrated in terms of its talent and potential both. They have some guys that are banged up going into this one. Promising rookie pass rusher, Kayvon Thibodeaux, is day-to-day battling a knee injury. Azeez Ojulari has been limited in practice with a calf injury. Both guys are currently listed as questionable. Leonard Williams had some sort of arm injury during camp, but looks like he’ll be good to go. If all of these guys are healthy and ready to go, you throw in Dexter Lawrence, and this is a group that has a high ceiling.
The Titans offensive line has been a fascinating unit to watch this summer. Left guard and right tackle appeared to be legitimate camp battles between Aaron Brewer, Jamarco Jones, Nicholas Petit-Frere, and Dillon Radunz. Jones was knocked out of the left guard competition pretty early, but the right tackle spot wasn’t won until a couple of games into the preseason. Brewer will get the nod at left guard, while Petit-Frere earned the starting right tackle spot. Without a lot of game action for Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones, and Nate Davis, I think it’s at least reasonable to wonder if there will be a bit of a feeling-out process for this offensive line as it gets its feet under it. If a slow start from this unit is met with a hot start from the Giants pass rush, it could make things difficult for the Titans offense.
On defense, the Titans will be fielding a couple of guys with little to no NFL game experience, despite this unit having a ceiling that is approximately to the moon. Caleb Farley got a lot of work in the preseason as he works back from injury. Roger McCreary (DRotY candidate) earned a starting job (at least on the Titans official unofficial depth chart), but will be playing in his first NFL game on Sunday. I’m not worried so much about Kenny Golladay at this point, but Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson are both slippery wide receivers that could prove difficult to cover for whoever gets that slot role. It’s just a question in the back of my mind – I also think it’s possible that Farley and/or McCreary could absolutely shut these guys down. But, there’s a path here for the Giants getting their passing game going.
The game plan should be simple for the Titans. Just pound the ball right at the Giants defense until they give up. That’s an oversimplification of course, but the sentiment remains – they kept five running backs counting Tory Carter. Deploy ’em. I don’t think they’ll have to tip their hand in terms of changes that have been made to their passing game courtesy of passing game coordinator Tim Kelly. I don’t think they’ll have to get too creative if they just play their brand of football. On defense, just don’t let these Giants receivers (Saquon Barkley included) wiggle loose and get into the open field. They should be fine, but Titans fans would be naive to think the Giants have no shot at winning this game.
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Listen to “Ep. 114: Offseason Wrap-up, Talkin' Giants-Titans with The Cranky Fan” 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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