NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Titans (1-4) will start Mason Rudolph at quarterback Sunday for an injured Will Levis, according to multiple reports.
Levis sprained the AC joint in his throwing shoulder in Miami three weeks ago and came back to start last week in the loss to the Colts, but struggled throwing for 95 yards. He was a full participant in practice on Thursday but was reduced to limited Friday.
Rudolph came off the bench in Miami to help lead the Titans to their only victory of the season. They scored over 30 points for the first time in over 1,000 days.
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Still, the Titans are a massive (+9) underdog in Buffalo against a Bills team that just added veteran receiver Amari Cooper, who is expected to play in the game.
The Bills (4-2) are once again led by quarterback Josh Allen who is off to another fast start despite trading Stefon Diggs to Houston and losing Gabriel Davis to Jacksonville in Free Agency. Allen has always been a playmaker with his arm and his legs, but this year he is also taking great care of the football. He has not thrown an interception in six games this season after getting picked off 18 times last year.
The Titans’ defense has forced only two turnovers all season, with Amani Hooker reeling in the team’s first interception of the season last week against Indianapolis.
Tennessee still boasts the NFL’s number one defense in yards per game this season, but that will be challenged by a more balanced Buffalo attack this season. With James Cook and Ray Davis, the Bills are averaging over 120 yards per game on the ground.
NFL Team Defense Rankings
1. Tennessee 248 YPG
2. New York Jets 273 YPG
3. Houston 277 YPG
Offensively the Titans have started to lean more and more on their run game led by Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Spears will not play Sunday because of a hamstring injury, meaning a much heavier load for Pollard who has looked explosive for Tennessee in his first season with the team. They are also facing a Bills defense giving up 140 rushing yards per game.
Tony Pollard 2024
- 78 Carries
- 339 Yards
- 4.3 Yards Per Carry
- 3 Touchdowns
Rudolph only threw for 85 yards in the Titans’ win at Miami, but they will likely need much more against Allen and the Bills. That means getting receivers DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley much more involved in the offense, especially Ridley who voiced frustration after the game last week after finishing the game without a single reception on eight targets. Ridley was a prized free-agent acquisition of the Titans this year, and has only two catches in the team’s last three games.
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Former first-round pick Treylon Burks will not play for the Titans after injuring his knee in practice this week. He is likely headed to injured reserve.
The Titans’ bemoaned offensive line finished last week’s game without allowing a sack for the first time all season. That will be tested by AJ Epenesa who sacked Aaron Rodgers twice last week, and Gregory Rousseau on the other side. Rousseau had three sacks in the Bills opening game of the season.