- Get the King the rock early and often!
Based upon their 0-3 record you would just assume this would be a gimme. But the J-E-T-S defensive front has been pretty stout to kick off this first quarter of the season only allowing 3.8 per tote which ranks them 11th in the NFL and currently the best they’ve faced thus far this year (Colts 22nd, Cardinals 30th, and Seahawks 21st). We have seen glimpses in the past two weeks of what this offense can be under Todd Downing and we can not forget our identity this week ala week 1 against the Cardinals. But Titans fans should also rest with one eye open though seeing the staggering 17 game pace Derrick Henry is currently on which would shatter Larry Johnson’s single season rushing attempt record by 37 attempts. I do love seeing Derrick on the field on third downs but I would anticipate Jeremy McNichols and Mekhi “Drill” Sargent getting a few more snaps in coming weeks before Darrynton Evans can take back over the backup role.
2. Putting the receivers in generous situations
With the announcement today that the Titans could be without veteran wide receiver Julio Jones this week due to a leg injury on top of knowing already they are without AJ Brown due to the hamstring issue that occurred last week. They must continue the “next man up” mentality as they’ve done many times before. This will more than likely include Nick Westbrook-Ikhine playing as the WR1 after playing the most snaps of any receiver last week which did include a touchdown. Westbrook does bring in size for the position at 6’2 210 which does aid him in maybe Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabels minds as a blocker. But don’t anticipate him being the deep threat this week as he may be the slowest receiver on the team. Chester Rogers will certainly play the majority if not all of the snaps from the slot where he has been a pleasant surprise thus far this season and he could see some run on the outside in 12 & 22 personnel. The part that interests me the most is who that 3rd will be. Snap counts do point to Cam Batson being the guy but we could potentially see the elevation of one Mason Kinsey to the active roster which I think would maybe blow up Titans Twitter. Also if you have Ryan Tannehill in Fantasy Football this might be the week to look to the waiver wire.
3. Forcing Zach Wilson into making mistakes
The Titans defense has been lackluster for the better part of the last season and a half but they seem to be on the verge of turning the corner and moving back into the range of mediocrity opposed to abysmal associated with 3rd and longs. This has always started with the pass rush and Harold Landry’s company definitely understood the assignment last week getting in the immobile Wentz’s face all game long. Also on the backend the Titans have found CB1 in Kristian Fulton completely annihilating and removing whoever he is lined across every week other than a blown coverage on one play in week 1. Further the Jet’s Zach Wilson currently leads the NFL tied with fellow rookie Trevor Lawrence with 7 interceptions. This seems to be a great pairing for the Titans to win the turnover battle this week which more often than not leads to a win for the boys in the two-tone blue!