(Mandatory Image Credit: Brad Penner USA TODAY Sports)
Written by: Joseph Yun
Twitter: 2Yoon2ZeroBlitz
The reigning AFC South champion Tennessee Titans open their 2022 season against the New York Giants. Can Tennessee keep the good vibes going at Nissan Stadium against a rebuilding Giants squad? Will the rookie head coach Brian Daboll lead his men of tall stature to an upset on the road to kick off his debut? Which Daniel Jones will show up? We know Saquon Barkley is coming for Derrick Henry’s throne as the league’s best runner. Which team will get their 2022 season off to a good start?
Giants key numbers + info
GM: Joe Schoen (First Year)
Head Coach: Brian Daboll (First Year)
OC: Mike Kafka
DC: Don “Wink” Martindale
2021 Record: 4-13 (1-5 NFC East)
Leading Rusher: Saquon Barkley (162 attempts for 593 yards and two touchdowns; 41 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns
Leading Receiver (returning): Kadarius Toney (39 receptions for 420 yards)
Leading Tackler (returning): Tae Crowder (130 tackles, three tackles for loss, six passes defended, two interceptions, and one forced fumble
Key Additions: QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Matt Breida, WR Richie James, WR Wan’Dale Robinson (R), TE Daniel Bellinger (R), OL Evan Neal (R), OL Jon Feliciano, OL Mark Glowinski DT Justin Ellis, DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (R), DE Jihad Ward, LB Austin Calitro, CB Justin Layne, S Jason Pinnock, OL Max Garcia (PS), S Tony Jefferson (PS), CB Fabian Moreau (PS), LB Quincy Roche (PS)
Key Losses: OT Matt Peart (IR), OL Shane Lemieux (IR), WR Collin Johnson (IR), DB Logan Ryan, DB James Bradberry, LB Blake Martinez, P Riley Dixon, TE Kyle Rudolph,
Series History
The series is tied 6-6 with the Titans winning five of the six past matchups since 2000.
Keys to a Titans Victory
Oh, Receivers, Where art Thou?
- Tennessee’s receiving room is a little bit shorthanded on proven commodities at the moment. AJ Brown? Traded. Robert Woods? Recovering from a late-term ACL injury. Treylon Burks and Kyle Philips are untested rookies. The Racey McMath injury was a gigantic blow to an already depleted receiver room. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine stands alone as the leading returning receiver. He needs to go out and provide something. Perhaps the Titans will elevate the enigmatic Dez Fitzpatrick or the veteran, Josh Gordon, off the practice squad for game day. Their hand could be forced due to the state of the receiver group.
Get Ryan Tannehill Right
- Much has been written about Tannehill’s nightmare playoff game against the Bengals. We won’t rehash the sordid saga here. It’s wholly imperative that he shakes off the stigma by getting off to a great start on Opening Day. While the receivers are largely unproven, he does have a solid one-two punch at tight end with Austin Hooper and rookie Chig Okonkwo. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing must use them to soften up the Giants’ wounded front seven.
Protect the secondary
- The secondary is very young so the front line sans Harold Landry must protect them against an offensive line that is shaky at best. Tennessee’s pass rush even without the services of Landry still boasts several key veterans. Old wise guys such as Bud Dupree, DeMarcus Walker, Denico Autry, and Teair Tart go along with the beast Jeffery Simmons. Rashad Weaver has attained many plaudits for his performances in practice and the preseason, can he translate it to the regular season?
Run. The. Ball
- When you have the most feared running back in the game, you do that. Although less predictably would be ideal. Make the Giants' defense cower at the mere presence of the King. RB2 Dontrel Hilliard ran well in spurts after Henry was injured last season as well. Tannehill makes a living thriving off of play-action. Can the veteran offensive line hold up long enough?
Keys to a Giants Victory
Dethrone The King
- Seems simple, right? The Titans' offense is centered around what Derrick Henry does. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing has a glaring and predictable tendency to run the ball at will to the detriment of the passing game. Given the status of Tennessee’s receiver room, the Giants need to load up the box and dare Ryan Tannehill to beat them. The question is, do they have the horses on defense to do it? They certainly have the right defensive mind in DC Wink Martindale, who has the experience and know-how in scheming a plan to stop Tennessee.
Free DJ
- By that, I mean get the much-maligned inconsistent signal caller going early and often against a youthful secondary featuring an eclectic mix of emerging stars and veterans. Youngsters like rookie Roger McCreary, Kristian Fulton, Elijah Molden, and Caleb Farley. Both of whom are essentially rookies due to limited reps last season. Tennessee’s front seven took a massive hit when star rusher Harold Landry tore his ACL during practice last week. New York needs to target his replacements and see if they can hold up the entire game.
End the Opening Day curse
- The Giants have lost five straight season openers. They must start the Brian Daboll regime on the right foot. Do they have the talent and mentality to do so? This is the first ever game that OC Mike Kafka has called in his young coaching career. How long of a leash does Daboll give him before he steps in?
Injury Report - Giants @ Titans
What are the Odds?
BetMGM has the Titans being 5.5 point favorites at -110, the money line being -250 for Tennessee, and the Giants being +210over/under is set at 43.5
Caesar’s has the Titans being 5.5 point favorites at -110, the money line being -263 for Tennessee, and the Giants being +210 The over/under is set at 43.5
WynnBet has the Titans being 5.5 point favorites at -110, the money line being -263 for Tennessee and the Giants being +210over/under is set at 44.
DraftKings has the Titans being 5.5 point favorites at -110 with the money line being -250 for Tennessee and the Giants being +210over/under is set at 43.5
Prediction
New York 17
TENNESSEE 28