NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Tennessee Titans (1-4) go for back to back wins for the first time since 2022 Sunday when they visit the struggling Las Vegas Raiders (1-4).
The Titans head to Las Vegas coming off of their first win of the season thanks to a 16 point fourth quarter at Arizona led by rookie quarterback Cam Ward who threw for almost 200 yards in just that quarter. The Raiders have lost four straight after winning their opener at New England.
Turnovers have really shut down the Raiders offense this season. The Raiders have the second worst turnover margin in the NFL at (-6) led by quarterback Geno Smith who has thrown nine interceptions in five games. Titans head coach Brian Callahan still has a healthy respect for Las Vegas’s veteran quarterback.
“We know Geno [Smith] is a proven quarterback in this league. And when he gets hot, he’s tough to deal with,” Callahan said.
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NFL Turnover Margin
32. New York Jets (-8)
31. Las Vegas Raiders (-6)
30. Cincinnati Bengals (-5)
14. Tennessee Titans (+1)
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (+8)
Smith will also be without one of his best targets with tight end Brock Bowers missing his second straight game with a knee injury. It is a massive blow to the Raider offense, Bowers pulled in over 100 receptions last year as a rookie.
The Titans defense will surely see a dose of the Raiders first round pick this season, running back Ashton Jeanty. After a slow start Jeanty has rushed for 205 yards over the last two games and the Titans have struggled to stop the run this season giving up a whopping 146 yards a game.
NFL Rush Defense
1. Cleveland Browns – 75.6 Yards Per Game
2. Green Bay Packers – 77.5 Yards Per Game
3. Seattle Seahawks – 83.0 Yards Per Game
13. Las Vegas Raiders – 101.4 Yards Per Game
30. Tennessee Titans – 146.8 Yards Per Game
“It’s a big test for us,” Callahan said. “They’ve started to run the ball better and better. I think every week that’s gone on, you see him getting more comfortable with the NFL speed and style and how you have to run in this league. He gets his shoulders square and he makes those vertical cuts into the defense. And he’s pretty hard to bring down, he’s a good back.”
Second year linebacker Cedric Gray is coming off of back to back strong performances for the Titans that have seen him wrack up 29 tackles in two weeks, and have him third in the NFL in total tackles with 48 this season. His ability to stop Jeanty, bring him down or hold him until help arrives will be paramount for the Titans defense against the talented rookie.
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Offensively the Titans and Ward are looking to build off of the fourth quarter last week, where he completed 13 of 18 passes. Ward is completing only 51.8% of his passes this season, so that 72% quarter was a huge boost to the Titans offense. A big key for Ward was his willingness to take the underneath throws to his tight ends and running backs. He completed 8 of 10 passes to his tight ends last week, including two crucial plays on the game winning drive to finish the game.
Veteran receiver Calvin Ridley also broke out last week with five receptions for 131 yards, and he will be looking to exploit a Raider defense giving up 226 yards passing a game.
One big matchup to watch is at the line of scrimmage for the Titans. Right tackle JC Latham is returning after missing three weeks with a hip injury, and faces a huge challenge in Raiders star Maxx Crosby. Crosby is absolutely a game wrecker. He has two sacks, nine tackles for loss and five passes defended this season. In the win in Arizona, Ward had some of his best pockets of the season to throw from and he will have his starting offensive line together for the first time since week one.
The Titans do have a handful of injuries headed into the game, with end Arden Key, receiver Bryce Oliver and kicker Joey Slye all ruled out for the game. Veteran Matthew Wright was signed to the practice squad this week and will kick for the Titans Sunday.