The Tennessee Titans open their 2022 schedule, welcoming within the New York Giants to Nissan Stadium in Week 1. The Titans open as 5.5-point favorites, however that line may definitely transfer because the week progresses.
These two groups haven’t met for the reason that 2018 season when the Titans went into MetLife Stadium and blanked the Giants 17-0 behind an enormous day from Derrick Henry. Tennessee’s famous person operating again rushed for 170 yards on 33 carries and scored each touchdowns for the guests.
Oddly sufficient, the Titans have solely misplaced as soon as to the Giants (2014) since transferring to Nashville and by no means beat them because the Houston Oilers.
Heading into their Week 1 matchup, listed below are six burning inquiries to hold tabs on all through the sport.
1. How will the Titans change Harold Landry?
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The Titans have been dealt a severe blow to their defensive unit, with exterior linebacker Harold Landry presumably misplaced for the yr with a torn ACL.
The Professional-Bowl linebacker had a popping out occasion final yr to the tune of 12 sacks, and he was rewarded with a big-time contract extension in the course of the offseason.
If there’s any optimistic from all of this, the Titans are extremely deep alongside their entrance seven. Denico Autry was listed because the starter in Landry’s place on the unofficial depth chart prematurely of Sunday’s sport.
The Titans will probably go together with an outside-linebacker-by-committee to exchange Landry’s manufacturing, with Ola Adeniyi and Rashad Weaver as different probably candidates within the combine for expanded enjoying time.
2. Can the Titans keep away from one other Week 1 letdown?
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The Titans have been admittedly embarrassed at Nissan Stadium in Week 1 final yr, falling to the Arizona Cardinals, 38-13. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was sacked six occasions, together with 5 from Chandler Jones.
On Sunday, Tennessee is undoubtedly the favourite enjoying a weaker Giants membership. Quarterback Daniel Jones hasn’t lived as much as his first-round draft standing. Nevertheless, the Titans must keep away from overlooking New York.
Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney are all gamers who can harm the Titans’ protection after they have the ball of their palms.
3. How will the Titans’ large receiver corps fare?
Syndication: The Tennessean
The principle dialogue of the offseason — the new-look Titans large receiver corps. will get its first look in a significant sport.
The workforce’s unofficial depth chart listed Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the highest two large receivers. Nevertheless, rookie wideouts Kyle Philips and Treylon Burks have the chance to carve out common enjoying time.
Each made large strides for the reason that draft, with Philips excelling in each the passing and punt return sport. Burks overcame the preliminary conditioning points and led the Titans in receiving yards (33), together with his first NFL landing, in Tennessee’s last preseason sport.
Now, it’s a matter of carrying that progress into the common season. There’s additionally the query of whether or not the Titans will elevate newly-signed Josh Gordon from the observe squad.
4. How will the Titans’ new-look offensive line maintain up?
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One other closely-contested battle sorted out in preseason, rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere received the beginning proper sort out job over second-year man Dillon Radunz. Each have been comparable in run-blocking, however Petit-Frere was much better in go safety.
Regardless of profitable the job, he understands the work is way from over.
“Although we’ve performed our final preseason sport, we’ve nonetheless received one other week of observe, then we’ve got the Giants developing,” NPF stated after profitable the beginning gig. “It’s the NFL; each single day is a contest, each single day your job is on the road so that you’ve received to compete for it.”
Petit-Frere isn’t the one new starter upfront, as he’s joined by left guard Aaron Brewer.
The Titans will probably be relying on each to offer quarterback Ryan Tannehill time to seek out his receivers and browse by means of his progressions after what was a lackluster marketing campaign when it comes to pass-blocking for Tennessee in 2021.
Tennessee’s complete group may get a little bit of a reprieve in Week 1, as Giants pass-rushers Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux are each up within the air with accidents.
5. How will rookie CB Roger McCreary carry out?
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Loads of rookies will probably be on show in Week 1, and that record contains cornerback Roger McCreary.
All by means of coaching camp, the Auburn product was listed in a shared beginning position with second-year participant Caleb Farley. He has apparently received the job, listed forward of Farley on the unofficial depth chart.
McCreary has appeared like something however a rookie, carrying over the aggressiveness that noticed him shoot up draft boards.
He’ll probably be lined up towards Kadarius Toney, who was restricted within the offseason by lower-body accidents and didn’t play in any respect within the preseason.
6. How will rookie punter Ryan Stonehouse do in Brett Kern’s place?
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Undrafted rookie punter Ryan Stonehouse received the job from long-time starter Brett Kern, however his job seems to be something however secure.
The latter didn’t signal with the Buffalo Payments as anticipated. As an alternative, the Titans could also be preserving him shut by in case issues don’t pan out with Stonehouse.
The Colorado State alum was spectacular in preseason motion, averaging 50.2 yards per punt on 13 makes an attempt, downing six of them contained in the opponent’s 20-yard line.
That form of means to flip the sphere is big, particularly if Stonehouse can do it on a constant foundation with none flubs or shanks that may have the followers calling for Kern’s return instantly.
