The Tennessee Titans are a little more than 24 hours away from a massive showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and we’ve reached the point where it’s essentially now or never for this Titans team.
Realistically, they can only drop one or two games max the rest of the way to make a playoff push, but dropping these types of games against a beatable opponent would most likely be the nail in the Titans’ proverbial coffin.
A loss would also extend the Titans’ road losing streak to more than an entire calendar year. The last time Tennessee won a game away from Nissan Stadium was on Nov. 17, 2022.
The Titans desperately need to change that trend, and sooner rather than later. To do so, they must find a way to win several of the individual matchups that will likely play a big role in determining the outcome of the team matchup.
This article is going to break down five key battles that will surely influence the final score when it’s all said and done. Now, let’s take a look at which specific matchups we’ll be keeping our eyes on come game time.
C Aaron Brewer vs. NT Vita Vea
This is one of the most underrated and potentially worrisome matchups to watch this weekend.
Aaron Brewer possesses rare athleticism for an interior lineman. The Texas State product tends to thrive whenever he’s allowed to get out in space and use it to his advantage.
Aaron Brewer pancake pic.twitter.com/DRAdbd7OvL
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 8, 2023
The major knock on his game is he’s also considered relatively undersized at his position (six-foot-one, 295 pounds). That size deficiency has led to some truly horrendous reps for Brewer when he’s facing off against physically-superior defenders.
This week, he has a monstrous task awaiting him.
Vita Vea is one of the most physically-intimidating defensive linemen in the league who has a reputation of being an on-field bully. Vea is listed at six-foot-four, 347 pounds, which is more than 50 pounds heavier than Brewer.
The Washington product isn’t just some big-bodied gap-stuffer, either. Vea is a bona fide playmaker, earning an overall grade of 80.3 after he’s recorded 20 tackles, four sacks, and two forced fumbles, per Pro Football Focus.
It’s vitally important that Brewer and Co. find a way to neutralize the mammoth defender as much as possible.
I expect there to be some help with Vea throughout the contest, but there will be times when the Titans’ center is going to have to anchor against the Bucs’ nose tackle all by himself.
The quickest route to a quarterback is through the middle, so if Brewer isn’t capable of holding his own, it could be a long day for the entire Titans offense.
CB Kristian Fulton vs. WR Mike Evans
With Sean Murphy-Bunting out with a thumb injury, it’s a safe bet that we see a lot of Kristian Fulton vs. Mike Evans matchups throughout the game.
Fortunately for the Titans, the LSU product has been playing a lot better over the last few weeks. Since Week 6, Fulton has only allowed an average of 16 yards per game when targeted.
Quietly, #Titans CB Kristian Fulton has allowed only 47 yards (16 YPG) over the last three games. Last wk Fulton was targeted 7xs defending against 4 different WRs. He only allowed 4 rec for 11 yds. That includes vs George Pickens (2 rec for -1 yard on 3 targets). https://t.co/b03Jq0UAPV
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) November 7, 2023
While it has taken Fulton quite some time to get here, that’s the type of play many us expected out of the talented defensive back coming into the year. It’s nice to see the former second-round pick getting back to a high level of play.
Tennessee needs its best available corner to continue this trend on Sunday to have a chance. Evans is undoubtedly one of the best and most consistent wide receivers in the NFL. He’s on pace for another 1,000-yard season, which would be his 10th straight over his 10-year career.
Through eight games, Evans has already amassed 37 catches, 594 yards, and five touchdowns, earning an overall grade of 75.9 in the process.
In order for Tennessee to leave Tampa Bay with its first road victory since last November, it desperately needs Fulton to continue his impressive play against a Hall of Fame-caliber talent.
Titans RBs vs. Bucs LBs
All year long, the Titans’ running game led by Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears has been the one consistent piece of the offense. Henry, in particular, has shown minimal regression, even though he’s nearing the age of 30.
According to PFF, Henry ranks inside the top five in rushing yards (601), overall grade (88.6), pass-blocking grade (87.0), receiving grade (81.8), and run grade (83.4).
Making his numbers even more impressive is the fact that he’s facing stacked boxes more frequently than any other ball-carrier in the NFL (42.34 percent), per Next Gen Stats.
PFF's Midseason All-Pro Offense 📊 pic.twitter.com/QHPNwqhBhE
— PFF (@PFF) November 8, 2023
As for Spears, he’s someone who may be stuck in a limited role, but he makes the most of the opportunities he’s been given.
The Tulane product owns the highest overall grade amongst all rookie running backs (74.6) while averaging over 5.5 yards per carry on the year.
#Titans rookie RB Tyjae Spears does this every week. pic.twitter.com/I8Erit0HY9
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) October 29, 2023
The two of them are set to face a pair of household names who have largely been considered one of the better inside linebacker tandems in the NFL.
Devin White has noticeably struggled over the last few years (overall grade of 45.8 in 2023), but Lavonte David is once again having a strong campaign.
Lavonte David. Still got it. pic.twitter.com/UUEbesNqQ9
— Kevin Potts (@kevinpotts06) November 9, 2023
David has recorded 78 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble, en route to earning a respectable grade of 71.3.
Tennessee has to identify where No. 54 is on every single down, otherwise, he’s more than capable of blowing a play up in the backfield.
David and White will be tasked with trying to slow down the Titans’ massive running back on run plays while also having the responsibility of trying to cover the shifty rookie during obvious passing situations.
Whichever tandem is able to win this individual matchup, it’ll go a long way toward helping to put their team in a position to win the game.
DT Jeffery Simmons vs. Bucs’ interior O-Linemen
It’s not a coincidence that the Titans tend to look their best when Jeffery Simmons plays like the dominant player he’s capable of being. In the Titans’ three wins, Simmons has recorded at least 0.5 sacks in each of those contests.
What a rep from Jeffery Simmons vs Chris Lindstrom. Double swipe-rip to beat the outside hand, extends at the last second to strip the ball pic.twitter.com/qO7CUauXEZ
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 31, 2023
This week, he gets to face an offensive line that is severely struggling along the interior. To make matters worse for Tampa, it will likely be missing starting left guard Matt Feiler, who is listed as doubtful with a knee injury.
If Feiler can’t go, former Titans lineman Aaron Stinnie is set to replace him in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, rookie right guard Cody Mauch and center Robert Hainsey have an average overall grade of 52.8. Mauch and Hainsey have combined for eight penalties and six sacks allowed between them.
Simmons will likely have a favorable matchup wherever lines up, especially in situations where the Bucs are unable to double team him. When that happens, No. 98 has to take advantage and wreak havoc on Tampa Bay.
QB Will Levis vs. Bucs’ secondary
We’re officially in the Will Levis era in Tennessee.
After facing two stout defenses over the last two weeks, he finally gets the chance to face a vulnerable foe on Sunday. Not only does the Buccaneers’ pass defense rank 31st in the league (279.4 YPG), but their top two cornerbacks are listed as questionable.
Ideally, this is the type of matchup where Levis goes out and lights the stat sheet on fire.
The rookie quarterback has already accounted for 10 big plays on the year, and he currently owns the highest big-time throw percentage in the league (approximately 8.2 percent), albeit in a much smaller sample size than the rest of the NFL.
Will Levis threw 3 touchdown passes traveling over 50 yards of air distance, the most in a game in the NGS era (since 2016). The Titans had 0 deep TD passes in Weeks 1-7.#ATLvsTEN #Titans
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 29, 2023
Last week, Tampa Bay allowed fellow rookie C.J. Stroud to complete 71 percent of his passes (30-of-42) for 470 yards and five touchdown passes. Tampa Bay also ranks first in big plays allowed through the air (36).
Look for Levis to try and get DeAndre Hopkins frequently involved against a banged-up and struggling secondary.
