After months and months of analysis, speculation and whatever else, the Tennessee Titans will finally take the field for a real football game on Sunday, when they open their season against the New Orleans Saints.
Coming off a disappointing 7-10 season, the Titans are sporting a revamped roster up and down — and especially on offense, where Tennessee has a new line, new play-caller and new star wide receiver.
Buy Titans TicketsWhile all those new pieces on offense add a little extra excitement to the start of the season, it also leaves the possibility that Tennessee gets off to a slow start, especially against a talented defense like New Orleans’.
However, the Saints are in a similar boat thanks to having a new quarterback under center who will have his hands full against Tennessee’s elite front.
As kickoff rapidly approaches, here are three keys to victory for the Titans going into their season-opening matchup against the Saints.
Pound the rock between the tackles
The Saints sported the No. 24 run defense in the NFL last season and since then have lost some key defenders on the inside, like defensive linemen David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle, and linebacker Kaden Elliss.
It remains to be seen just how good Tennessee’s offensive line will hold up in its debut, but the strength of the group right now figures to be on the inside, with Aaron Brewer at center and Peter Skoronski and Daniel Brunskill at guard.
The Titans should play to their strength and the Saints’ weakness by feeding Derrick Henry the rock between the tackles. Establishing The King will also setup play-action, where Ryan Tannehill thrives, and slow down the pass-rush to give him more time to find his receivers down the field.
I know everyone wants to see the Titans air it out, but that’s simply not the best way to attack this Saints defense in Week 1.
Get pressure with minimal blitzing
We know the Titans’ defensive line is going to do its thing against the run, but how well the secondary holds up against a talented trio of pass-catchers like Chris Olave, Michael Thomas and Juwan Johnson is an unknown.
If Tennessee can get pressure on quarterback Derek Carr without the help of extra defenders, it’ll allow defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to drop more players into coverage to combat New Orleans’ strength.
Adding to that, Carr is prone to turnovers after tallying the second-most interceptions in the NFL over the past two seasons (28), so getting pressure will only make it more likely Tennessee grabs one or two in this contest.
While Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk will provide elite resistance, the trio of Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Teair Tart will give the interior of the Saints’ offensive line — which is the same as it was for the 2021 meeting when Tennessee tallied four sacks and six QB hits — plenty of trouble.
The Titans should especially challenge Saints left tackle Trevor Penning with their edge rushers, as the Northern Iowa product lacks experience (58 career snaps at left tackle) and has the propensity to lose his cool, something that might lead to penalties.
Win the turnover battle
It goes without saying the Titans must avoid committing turnovers, but that’s especially true when locked into a close, low-scoring affair like the one we’ve predicted they’ll be in this week.
Chances are this is going to be a struggle for both offenses thanks to a pair of good defenses, and with the Saints having a new quarterback and the Titans having an entirely new offensive line and offense in general.
In that scenario, the last thing Tennessee can afford to do is make things easier on the Saints’ offense by giving away extra possessions and short fields, and vice versa.
Whoever wins the turnover battle on Sunday will win this game.
