NFL
By: Greg Rector
The Tennessee Titans are headed to the “Big Easy” and will play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The Titans season in 2022 ended with seven straight losses. Can they end their losing streak and start the 2023 NFL season off with a victory? Let’s look at this game more closely.
Tennessee Titans Offense Versus the New Orleans Saints Defense
Indeed the Tennessee Titans offense still has King Henry aka Derrick Henry, The question is can Henry be the dominating running back he has been? I don’t believe he’s fallen off as far as his abilities go. I do believe the Titans’ offensive line is a brand-new group and they might struggle especially on the right-hand side with two new players their left guard is a rookie (Peter Skoronski) who is also beside a new player in Andre Dillard at the left tackle position.
#Titans select seven captains for 2023 season.
STORY https://t.co/HW0Oj0IJWu pic.twitter.com/qycnYxl6n4
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 6, 2023
If the new line can’t protect QB Ryan Tannehill and he gets injured again then the Tennessee Titans will go with Malik Willis as their quarterback. Willis had a much better training camp and might have earned his wings for head coach Mike Vrabel who when he had to use Willis as a rookie last year only allowed Malik Willis to throw ten pass attempts in the entire game. Will Levis is the third QB and he needs time to develop after his time at the University of Kentucky.
The Titans also added De’Andre Hopkins as a wide receiver to go alongside Treylon Burks. The problem facing the Tennessee Titans offense in week one is a New Orleans Saints defense that finished 30th in turnovers last season something that was a shock to many in the NFL world after they had finished in the top five in the league for five straight seasons in causing turnovers.
The New Orleans Saints defense has added some serious talent in order to see them return to the vaunted defense they’ve been noted for. Tyrann Matthieu has come home and will bring his years of experience to the safety position. The Saints also added strong safety Marcus Maye and the duo will make life miserable for opposing receivers. Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo man the corners for New Orleans.
Titans Defense Versus the Saints Offense
The Tennessee Titans defense is about to meet Derek Carr leading the New Orleans Saints offense. After his nine seasons with the Raiders Carr left for New Orleans and he has some talent to find pretty decent options. Despite Alvin Kamara being suspended for the week one game the Saints went out and] signed Jamaal Williams from the Lions and they drafted Kendre Miller from TCU in the draft to settle the running back room until Kamara can return.
"All I wanted to do since I got here was earn the respect of my teammates… It meant a lot to me personally… I just want to prove them right."
Carr on being elected a captain pic.twitter.com/gjd36HhuuI
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 6, 2023
Don’t look now but for week one Michael Thomas is the starting wide receiver for the Saint!!. Joining Chris Olave who was an outstanding rookie and should develop even more with Carr as his quarterback, Thomas if he can stay healthy can be a great second wide receiver and should feast with Derek Carr passing him the football.
What does Mike Vrabel’s defense bring to stop Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints offense? Denico Autry was signed to play DE, they also added cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting from the Buccanneers and also signed Azeez Al-Shaair from the 49ers to play one of their four linebacker spots in the Titans’ standard 3-4 defense.
My Prediction
Sorry Titans fans I just see this game as a stepping stone for the New Orleans Saints, especially on the defensive side of the football. The Saints really want to reestablish themselves as a defensive nightmare something Dennis Allen their head coach truly must have in order to keep his job. I have the Saints beating the Titans 27 to 17.
