(Mandatory Image Credit: Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Written By: Joseph Yun
Twitter: @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz
The Titans travel to the always-sunny city of Brotherly Love to settle the eternal rivalry between Pat’s and Geno’s. They might also be inclined to give their take on who is the better big man, Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic, while in the nation’s birthplace. Much like Rocky Balboa in Rocky IV, Tennessee will be the heavy underdogs against the Drago-like Eagles. Can the Titans pull off the road upset and claim that hot chicken is the superior food to the philly? Tennessee will need to rebound quickly after a disheartening defeat last week where they were physically outmatched. The Eagles are riding high after an emphatic victory over quickly deteriorating Green Bay.
Eagles’ key numbers + info
Note: All statistics courtesy of pro-football-reference.com
HC: Nick Siriani (19-9 career)
OC: Shane Steichen
DC: Jonathan Gannon
2022 Record: 10-1 (2-1 NFC East)
PPG: 27.5
PPG Against: 19.6
Rush yards: 1,788
Rush yards allowed: 1,328
Avg. per rush attempt: 4.7
Avg per attempt allowed: 4.7
Pass completion rate: 67%
Pass completion allowed: 60%
Leading Rusher: Miles Sanders (177 attempts for 738 yards and eight touchdowns)
Leading Receiver: AJ Brown (53 receptions for 831 yards and seven touchdowns)
Leading Tackler: TJ Edwards (102 tackles; five passes defended, seven tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, two sacks)
Key Additions: WR AJ Brown, LB Haason Reddick, DT Jordan Davis (rookie), C Cam Jurgens (rookie), DL Ndamukong Suh, WR Britain Covey (rookie), LB Kyzir White, TE Grant Calcaterra (rookie), S Reed Blankenship (rookie), CB James Bradberry, DL Linval Joseph, DE Robert Quinn
Key Losses: S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (injured), TE Dallas Goedert (IR), DL Jordan Davis (IR), DE Derek Barnett (IR), CB Avonte Maddox (IR), TE J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR Jalen Reagor
Series History
The Eagles lead the all-time series 7-5-0. These two teams have played six times since the Tennessee rebrand to the Titans. Tennessee has won five of the six matchups. The scoring margin has been 160-135 in favor of the Titans. In its five wins, the Titans averaged a winning margin of just less than nine points while the Eagles won their sole match in this series by 19. Interestingly, the Titans' most common margin of victory has been three points or 18 points.
Keys to a Titans Victory
Ball Control
- Tennessee is facing one of the most prolific offenses in the league. They don’t have the firepower to compete punch for punch with the Eagles. As a result, they will have to control the clock with their once-dominant run game and keep the ball out of Jalen Hurts’ hands. Fortunately, it looks like franchise icon Ben Jones is on track to return to full health to anchor the line. Only the good Lord knows that the struggling line needs all the help they can get. Derrick Henry needs to shake off whatever bad juju he has had going on over the past several weeks.
The Law Firm vs. The Slayer
- No it’s not the latest movie in the MCU. On Sunday, a real-life discourse will be held between the Nashville receiver firm of Burks, Westbrook-Ihkine, and Woods and a secondary led by “Big Play” Darius Slay. If the woebegone Titans’ offensive line can hold up for more than the horrifying critical debasement of a potential Ant-Man and Dr. Strange crossover, they have assets to throw to. The storyline will be AJ Brown playing his former team that has his direct replacement in promising rookie Treylon Burks. The key will be how secondary weapons like Chig Okonkwo, Robert Woods, and shocking PPR master Dontrel Hilliard fare. Philly will be forced to start rookie safety Reed Blankenship after star Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was injured last week. It’s not all bad news for the Eagles as they have an excellent veteran corner in James Bradberry. The chess match between the virtually anonymous Titans receivers and the tough Eagles secondary will be fascinating to watch.
Keys to an Eagles Victory
In the Trenches
- Despite what the Bengals will tell you, the Titans boast a fearsome front that makes many quarterbacks and running backs look forward to the postgame cold tub. A front four that comes in waves of superstars and hidden gems alike. No matter who partakes, the Titans' defense holds the line for the most part. Philadelphia has one of the best offensive lines with numerous All-Pros and Pro Bowl awards, including Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson. Young veterans like Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata will have their hands full with Bud Dupree (if healthy), Teair Tart, and Jeffery Simmons. Denico Autry is the secret sauce of the Titans' defense so he must play.
Attack the Offensive Line
- The left side of the Titans’ line is a glaring five-alarm nuclear tire fire that the Eagles’ front can exploit endlessly. Left tackle Dennis Daley is one of the worst tackles in the whole league. The nominal left guard turned emergency center, Aaron Brewer tries his best but is too small to compete for long. If Ben Jones cannot go, the situation becomes grotesquely dire with Dillon Radunz sliding to left guard while Brewer takes center. Unfortunately for Tennessee, the Eagles have an impressive defensive front on par with the best of the best in the league. Talent such as the venerable Fletcher Cox and emerging rookie Jordan Davis anchor while Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, and Brandon Graham are on the perimeter.
Skill on Skill
- Tennessee’s youthful secondary against one of the top receiving corps will be a fascinating chess match. It will be interesting to watch how the Titans plan to cover former compatriot AJ Brown. Philly has incredible speed threats in both Devonta Smith and Quez Watkins while the Titans are a bit banged up in the cornerback room. Youngsters like Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden have barely played if at all due to injury or ineffectiveness. It has been a patchwork cornerback group, to say the least. Tennessee might be out of its depth trying to cover all of the Eagles’ weapons including their stellar running back room. They’re an offense waiting to explode on any given play with seemingly infinite options. Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen will have to call the game of his life to keep the Titans in it, especially without Denico Autry to mess up the run game. Can the Titans somewhat keep themselves in it defensively?
Injury Report - Titans @ Eagles
What are the Odds?
(note: all odds courtesy of vegasinsider.com)
BetMGM has the Eagles being 4.5 point favorites at -110, the money line at -225 for Philadelphia, and the Titans at +180. over/under is set at 44.5.
Caesar’s has the Eagles being 4.5 favorites at -110, the money line being -220 for Philadelphia, and the Titans being at +180. The over/under is set at 44.
WynnBet has the Eagles being five-point favorites at -110, the money line being -220 for Philadelphia, and the Titans being at +180. The over/under is set at 44.5.
FanDuel has the Eagles being 4.5 point favorites at -114, the money line being -215 for the Philadelphia, and the Titans being +180. over/under is set at 44.5
Media Picks
Prediction
Tennessee 21
PHILADELPHIA 35