Coming off a strong, 24-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Tennessee Titans (2-3) dropped yet another home game, falling 14-7 to the Buffalo Bills (4-1).
The team will aim to bounce back this week against the Denver Broncos (1-4), who got their first win against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.
Here are three Titans to keep an eye on Sunday.
1. RT Jack Conklin.
Conklin is going to be the main man in charge of keeping linebacker Von Miller from being a factor. Miller hasn’t been himself lately, accounting for just two sacks this year, but the Broncos haven’t done well in pressuring the quarterback, totaling five takedowns in 2019. But the Titans have allowed 22 sacks this season – more than any team in the league – so if Conklin doesn’t do his job, Miller could redeem himself this week.
2. QB Marcus Mariota.
Mariota needs to show consistency on the last year of his rookie contract. He’s been largely up-and-down at the start of the season, but this game has potential to be one of his best. A shaky Broncos team features a pass rush dependent on one player — Miller. If the Titans can keep him from having a big day and keep Mariota comfortable in the pocket, we should see a good performance from the quarterback, who has yet to turn the ball over all year.
3. K Cody Parkey.
The bar isn’t exactly set high for the Titans’ new placekicker after Cairo Santos missed four field goal attempts in a row last week. But Parkey doesn’t have the best track record either. He missed seven field goals and three extra points in 2018, finishing the season with the third-worst field goal percentage in the NFL.
Parkey will need to be at the top of his game Sunday to avoid the same fate as Santos, and help keep the Titans going on special teams until Ryan Succop is eligible to return after Week 8.
