By Bill Murphy
Nashville – Well, after a long seven-month wait, football is back. After a 2-1 record during the preseason, the Tennessee Titans will open their season at home against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at 1 pm. Last year, the Titans finished their season with an 11-5 record, winning the AFC South but unfortunately losing in the wild card round of the playoffs to the Baltimore Ravens 20-13.
Ryan Tannehill did not receive any playing time during the preseason, especially the last game against the Bears, because he was in Covid 19 protocols. Last year Tannehill threw 165 yards with one touchdown and 65.7 % completion. This Week Tannehill and the rest of the offense is going to have a lookout for The Arizona Cardinals defense which last year racked up a total of 1076 tackles and 48 sacks, especially their new defensive end JJ Watt, which the cardinals just acquired from the Houston Texans as last year Watt had 36 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Everybody will be talking about on offense the receivers that the titans have, such as AJ Brown, who last year scored 14 touchdowns and caught for 1,075 yards. The other big-name Wide Receiver is Julio Jones from the Atlanta Falcons, who last year caught 51 receptions, 771 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. While Brown and Jones are going to be core pieces of the receiving game, two things that are going to be a significant concern for both of them are going to be both their health and age, Julio Jones was injured a good chunk of last year, while Brown like Jones was out all of the preseason because of an injury. If Brown and Jones struggle, the wild card to look out for is Cameron Baston, who had 66 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns during preseason.
A part of the titans that all fans worry about is the defense. This week, they will have a tough challenge: Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Deandre Hopkins. Murray last year threw 3,971 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 61.9% quarterback rating. Murray Is an overall good quarterback who can throw and rush. The key to victory would be to pressure Murray and cover both Fitzgerald and Hopkins.
So overall, I think it will be a good game. I think the keys to victory are for Tannehill and to get past Watt. The defense to cover Murray, Hopkins, and Fitzgerald. I think they can repeat the first finish and go to the playoffs again.
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