The Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers will both be looking to avoid an 0-2 start when they meet at Nissan Stadium on Sunday.
The Titans, who also started off 0-2 last year, are hoping for a much better showing from their offense this week, and especially from quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who was the biggest culprit in the 16-15 Week 1 loss.
Buy Titans TicketsMeanwhile, the Chargers are on the opposite side of the spectrum and are hoping for a better effort from their defense after it surrendered 36 points to the Miami Dolphins, wasting a 34-point effort from the offense.
So, how can the Titans end their eight-game losing streak dating back to last year and get back on track with their first win of 2023? Find out now as we take a look at Tennessee’s keys to victory for Week 2.
Get pressure rushing three or four
Tennessee’s defensive front has to get pressure and finish with sacks on Justin Herbert while only rushing three or four in order to allow the Titans to drop extra players into coverage and actually give the secondary a chance.
If Herbert has time to throw, no amount of extra help on the back end will be enough.
Limit the big plays
We know the Titans will shut down the run, and we know the defensive front will get pressure, which will make yardage hard to come by for Los Angeles.
However, that all gets erased if the Chargers are ripping off explosive plays. Los Angeles had 10 plays of 15-plus yards last week, while the Titans gave up nine to the Saints.
The secondary has to keep everything in front of it and force the Chargers to work their way down the field, yard-by-yard.
A bounce-back game from Ryan Tannehill
It goes without saying that Ryan Tannehill has to play better than he did last week, and that starts with the veteran signal-caller not turning the ball over. Tannehill had three last week and could have had as many as five if Saints defensive backs caught the football.
Tannehill also has to do a better job of taking what the defense gives him and actually connecting in such situations. Had he not missed throws or simply seen some open receivers, the Titans would’ve had an easy Week 1 win.
The Titans’ defense is going to have its hands full with a tougher matchup this week. As a result, the margin for error is even smaller than it was in Week 1, so Tannehill not only has to be better, he has to be MUCH better.
Help the tackles
Andre Dillard and Chris Hubbard will have the unenviable task of trying to slow down Joey Bosa (questionable) and Khalil Mack. Hubbard did a great job on Cameron Jordan last week, but Dillard left a lot to be desired against Carl Granderson, especially early on.
Bosa and Mack are better than those two.
If there’s any inkling that it’s going to be a bad day for either Dillard or Hubbard, the Titans have to keep an extra tight end in to block.
If both have a great game, Tannehill’s chances of bouncing back will be nil.
Don't forget about The King
Derrick Henry was on pace for a monster game in Week 1 before he was just forgotten about in the second half. Ultimately, he was out-snapped by rookie Tyjae Spears, which shouldn’t happen in such a close contest.
Tennessee must get Henry going in order to slow down the pass-rush and set up the play-action, where Tannehill normally thrives. Not to mention, Titans receivers will have a lot more room to operate if Los Angeles has all hands on deck to stop Henry upfront.
In addition, getting the ground game going will create long drives and keep the Chargers’ offense off the field. The best course of action is attacking up the middle, where Los Angeles is most exploitable and will be missing starting linebacker Eric Kendricks.
While Spears is a shiny new toy that should be utilized, the Titans can’t forget about getting Henry the ball in space in the passing game. Doing so will also make the offense less predictable.
