The Tennessee Titans are now one day away from their intra-conference international showdown with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6.
This overseas battle in the United Kingdom is technically a home game for the Titans, so they’ll have the chance to extend their undefeated record at home with a win on Sunday.
If history tells us anything, this game is going to be a physical battle between two teams that simply don’t like each other too much.
There’s just something about the two-tone blue facing off against the purple and black birds that often leads to an intense and hard-hitting matchup whenever they’re on the same field.
If you’ve been a fan of the Titans since the franchise moved to Nashville, you know exactly how important this rivalry is.
In order for the Titans to walk away with a much-needed victory in this one, they’re going to need to find a way to hold their own in the three key matchups listed below.
Titans' front seven vs. Ravens’ rushing offense
Last week, the Titans were destroyed on the ground, allowing nearly 200 rushing yards to a Colts offense that beat them at their own game by being the most physical team on the field.
Thankfully, it appears that the Titans could be getting nose tackle Teair Tart back.
Last week, 132 of the Colts’ 193 yards on the ground came up the middle, according to Next Gen Stats. For perspective, in the four games in which Tart played, the Titans’ run defense allowed a combined 139 yards up the middle.
Teair Tart is about to be so paid lol https://t.co/EmGnnNK0Oz
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) October 9, 2023
If he ends up playing, it could be a massive boost that will help to shore up the middle of the Titans’ defense.
But regardless of his status, Tennessee has to find a way to limit the Ravens’ impact on the ground if they want to head back to the states with a .500 record. Baltimore’s rushing offense currently ranks fourth in the NFL, averaging a whopping 146 yards per game.
Jackson and Gus Edwards lead the way with a combined 506 yards on the ground between the two of them.
Tennessee must be cognizant of what that tandem is capable of whenever they’re in the backfield together — and especially Jackson, who is averaging 110 rushing yards per game in his last three matchups against the Titans.
Titans’ front four vs. QB Lamar Jackson
If the Titans are going to win this game, they must find a way to contain Lamar Jackson.
The recipe for beating him used to be containing him in the pocket and making him beat you with his arm, but unfortunately for his opponents, it’s not nearly that simple anymore.
We all know about the former MVP’s running ability, but through five weeks, Jackson has shown that he’s more than capable of carving up opposing defenses with his arm, as well.
Lamar Jackson: 93.4 passing grade in Week 5 (1st)
The Ravens had 7 drops yesterday… 😬 pic.twitter.com/c1F7Glo0Lw
— PFF (@PFF) October 9, 2023
Containing Jackson inside the pocket is still important because he’s one of the very best at going off-script and playing backyard football.
Tennessee has to make sure it’s getting to the Ravens’ quarterback early and often and actually finishing to have a chance in this one. More importantly, the pass-rush has to stay disciplined while doing it.
If Tennessee’s defense whiffs on potential sacks like it has done far too often this season, it could end up being a disaster for the entire defense, as not only is Jackson capable of taking advantage of free running lanes, he can extend pass plays and force an already shaky Titans secondary to cover for longer.
Thankfully, the Titans can afford to leave extra help deep and still have an effective rush. Tennessee ranks seventh in creating pressure with just four-man rushes whenever it trots out a combination of Harold Landry, Denico Autry, Jeffery Simmons, and Arden Key.
The four of them have accumulated a pressure percentage of 45.65 percent of the time without having to blitz. Those pressures have resulted in the fourth-highest sack percentage (10.87 percent) among the top 10 teams.
Even more impressive is the fact that the Titans’ front four also has the highest amount of snaps together, which means the group is consistently getting after the opposing quarterback.
For comparison, the Saints’ front four has the highest pressure percentage at 53.85 percent, but that group has only totaled 13 snaps together.
Here are the top 4 man pass rushing combos that have the highest pressure rate on non blitz attempts this season. If people are interested in a certain combo, lmk and I can pull up their numbers for you pic.twitter.com/JA2k7IqymV
— Arjun Menon (@arjunmenon100) October 13, 2023
This type of pressure from the Titans’ defensive front without having to blitz allows them to drop seven into coverage, which is major for a pass defense that is struggling more often than not.
Titans' offensive line vs. Ravens' defensive front
The tandem of Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears has been electric for the Titans’ offense. The two of them have combined for 484 rushing yards, 164 receiving yards (648 total yards) and three touchdowns.
However, they’ve also been held back a bit, mostly thanks to an offensive line that has struggled with run-blocking.
Tyjae Spears scores his first career NFL TD on the end-around ⚡️
Welcome to the league, rook!#Titans | @tyjae22 pic.twitter.com/5GfBDeaonS
— The Athletes Plug (@TheAthletesPlug) October 8, 2023
This week won’t get any easier on that front, as the Titans are set to face the seventh-best run defense in the NFL, with the Ravens only allowing 91.4 rushing yards per game.
Baltimore’s front seven is led by arguably the best linebacker in the NFL, Roquan Smith.
The Georgia product is currently the highest-graded linebacker in the NFL, earning an overall grade of 91.1 while also producing a grade of 90.4 in coverage and 87.6 against the run, per Pro Football Focus.
Roquan Smith’s PFF Grades among linebackers:
Week 1: 86.2 (9th)
Week 2: 88.1 (5th)
Week 3: 89.9 (6th)
Week 4: 78.4 (15th)
Week 5: 94.6 (2nd) pic.twitter.com/oWiwv483xL— Ravens Nation LIVE (@LIVERavenNation) October 10, 2023
Tennessee must have a plan for No. 0 on every single snap. If not, he is more than capable of wreaking havoc and destroying plays before they even have a chance to develop.
Lamar Jackson had high praise for Roquan Smith pic.twitter.com/lD4kKgnuKH
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) October 4, 2023
Neutralizing Smith and limiting his impact will give Henry and Spears a chance to perform well against the Ravens’ run defense on Sunday.
Of course, the entire offensive line needs to step up, but the Titans are going to need Peter Skoronski to be the dominant lineman he’s capable of being by consistently climbing to the second level and taking Smith out of the play.
This matchup is more than just about the run game, though. The Ravens are entering Sunday’s contest with the third-stingiest pass defense in the league, only allowing an average of 175 yards per game through the air.
Part of the Ravens’ success against the pass comes from the fact that they have the second-most sacks in the NFL, which is bad news for a Titans offensive line that is capable of blowing games up with bad blocking.
Ryan Tannehill undoubtedly has his work cut out for him, but he also has a star wide receiver who is starting to produce a massive impact within the offense.
DeAndre Hopkins is coming off the best game of the season and proved he is still very much elite, catching eight passes for 140 yards.
The Titans need to get Hopkins involved throughout Sunday’s contest if they want a chance in this one — and that’s especially in the red zone, where the team hardly ever targets him.
The Titans don’t need to force anything to him when he’s double-covered, but whenever DHop is facing single coverage, they have to stop playing so scared and give the future Hall of Famer a chance to make the types of plays he’s known for.
Outside of Hopkins, the rest of the Titans’ pass-catchers have to start helping him out after totaling just one catch for nine yards last week.
Tennessee won’t have Treylon Burks again, but perhaps Kyle Philips can step up after having a week to shake off the rust. The Titans also need more out of Chig Okonkwo, who has been among the team’s biggest disappointments through five games.
