The Tennessee Titans are gearing up to head to Buffalo to take on the Bills in Week 7.
The 1-4 Titans desperately need a win if they plan to keep any hope for the season alive. The Bills, meanwhile, are coming off a victory over the New York Jets, improving to 4-2 on the season.
The Titans enter the game as a heavy underdog, with the line currently sitting at Bills -9. Stopping Josh Allen and the Bills offense will be a tough task for a Titan defense that has mostly held its own.
Here are five things to know ahead of this AFC showdown.
Both teams have banged up running backs
Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans Will Levis (8) hands the ball to running back Tyjae Spears (2) against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Tyjae Spears left the Titans’ loss to the Colts in Week 6 with an injury and did not return. The RB is listed as questionable for the matchup at Buffalo.
Bills RB James Cook missed the game against the Jets in Week 6 with a foot injury and is also questionable. However, Cook’s backup, Ray Davis, excelled in his place, racking up 97 rushing yards in Week 6.
Bills have a new weapon
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Bills recently acquired veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. Brown is a former Pro Bowler who immediately elevates the Bills’ offense.
This is just another player the Titans have to worry about. Cooper joins Kahlil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Keon Coleman, and others on an impressive Bills offense.
Titans and Bills have a back-and-forth history
Sep 19, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary (26) is tackled by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart (93) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
The last five times these teams have played, the games have either been decided by one score or have been a blowout. The Titans have won two of the last five, with the wins coming in 2020 and 2021.
The last time these teams played was in 2022, when the Bills destroyed the Titans, winning 41-7 in Buffalo. The Titans are hoping to get some payback for that terrible game.
The Bills defense can be run on
Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Heading into this game, the Bills have the No. 23 run defense in the league. The unit is allowing 140.2 rushing yards per game, meaning Tony Pollard could be in for another big game.
Given the Titans’ issues passing the ball, this is not a bad matchup. The Bills are much better against the pass anyway, so this should be a game where the Titans try to have long, sustained drives on the ground.
Can the Titans’ offensive line keep Will Levis upright again?
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 13: Will Levis #8 of the Tennessee Titans throws a pass against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
In Week 6 against the Colts, the Titans’ offensive line did the unthinkable. For the first time in two years, the unit didn’t allow a single sack.
Will that be repeatable in Buffalo? The Bills are 12th in sacks per game with 2.7. There are some real pass rushers on this defense that will test the Titans’ linemen. If the team performs well again, it will officially be a trend.