NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Titans are likely to see a familiar face at quarterback Sunday when they host the Green Bay Packers.
Former Titans quarterback Malik Willis is expected to start for the second straight game after Jordan Love sprained his MCL in week one against Philadelphia. Love did practice on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday, and head coach Matt LaFleur said he would not make a decision until about 90 minutes before the game.
Last week Willis led the Packers to a victory over the Indianapolis Colts as Green Bay piled up 260 yards rushing.
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“Josh Jacobs is a very good player,” said Titans coach Brian Callahan. “Their offensive line, I think is probably underrated. I think they do a nice job both in the run and pass pro. And then ultimately, I think that offensive staff there is high level. They do a really good job. Matt’s (LaFleur) an excellent play caller, and play designer, and schemer and put his guys in a great position to have a chance to win the game and they executed it very well.”
Titans star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons made it clear this week that his mantra is “no one runs on the Tennessee Titans” and that will be put to the test on Sunday.
The Titan’s defense has been solid the first two weeks and ranks number one in the league despite the team being 0-2.
NFL Defensive Rankings:
- Tennessee Titans – 206.5 YPG
- Los Angeles Chargers – 227.5 YPG
- Houston Texans – 254.0 YPG
- Miami Dolphins – 257.0 YPG
While the Titan’s defense is first in yards per game, it is last in the turnover department. The Titan’s defense has not created a fumble or an interception yet. Packers running back Josh Jacobs enters the game with a bullseye on him fumbling in each of the first two games this season.
Offensively, it has been about 1000 days since the Titans scored 30 points in a game, but they first need to get over 17. They scored 17 losing each of their first two games of the season against the Bears and Jets.
Quarterback Will Levis is under fire from fans after two bad turnovers against the Bears and Jets. Despite a costly fumble against the Jets, Callahan says he still saw a lot of improvement from Levis from week one to week two.
“Everything about how he moved in the pocket, where he had his eyes, just everything about playing the position was better in week two. I think offensively as a whole, there’s a lot of things that were better from week one to week two. We got to get a lot better between week two and week three. And that’s just the nature of the NFL, especially in the early part of the season, is how quickly you can improve your team and what you do well. I’m really pleased with how he played for the most part, and that didn’t change after we watched the tape,” Callahan said.
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For Levis to be better this week, he will need more help from an offensive line that has left him under pressure over and over again to start the season. Right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere gave up a reported 13 pressures against the Jets and faces a solid pass rusher in Rashan Gary Sunday. Petit-Frere acknowledged he needs to be better and he needs to be more willing to “fight” when he is challenged.
Look for the Titans to lean on running back Tony Pollard who is off to a strong start in his first season in two-tone blue. He is averaging 72 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry after two weeks and now faces a Green Bay defense that surrendered 100 yard games to Saquan Barkley in week one and Jonathan Taylor in week two.
NFL Worst Run Defenses:
32. Indianapolis Colts – 237 YPG
31. Carolina Panthers – 199.5 YPG
30. Los Angeles Rams – 197 YPG
22. Gree Bay Packers – 142 YPG
Special teams will also be a heavy emphasis on the Titans after they allowed a blocked punt in each of the first two games. Punter Ryan Stonehouse stressed needing a set a higher standard on the special teams unit, the Packers will certainly be coming after Stonehouse on Sunday.