Titans keys vs. Chargers: Looking to 'outplay them at their own game'
NASHVILLE – Sunday's matchup between the Tennessee Titans (2-6) and Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) may appear lopsided on paper, but this game will feature two clashing offenses with shockingly similar identities. LA comes in red hot, riding back-to-back dominant victories and one of the best point differentials in the league (+58). The sputtering Titans picked up […]
NASHVILLE – Sunday's matchup between the Tennessee Titans (2-6) and Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) may appear lopsided on paper, but this game will feature two clashing offenses with shockingly similar identities.
LA comes in red hot, riding back-to-back dominant victories and one of the best point differentials in the league (+58). The sputtering Titans picked up a win in overtime against New England in Week 9. But are still seven point underdogs (+7) on the road.
I'm not batting an eye at that line. The Chargers are the better football team by a wide margin. But the style in which both of these teams play could end up favoring Tennessee.
Slow tempo offense
The Titans and Chargers are the two slowest tempo offenses in the NFL. When functioning at their best, both teams like to rely on the run, put together long drives, chew clock, and lull their opponent to sleep.
That will present a unique set of challenges for the Titans, but as offensive coordinator Nick Holz told me earlier this week, it also gives the Titans a chance to "outplay them at their own game."
"The key for us is staying on schedule. First and second down are almost more important than third down, theoretically. These guys have given up six conversions on 3rd and 8+. If you get behind the sticks here, it's been a famine," said Holz.
Just like the Chargers, the Titans are going to be looking to get things rolling on the ground with running back Tony Pollard from there. Instead of hitting explosive passing plays, Tennessee's top priority is staying on schedule and taking away the opposing pass rush.
"If you get off schedule, those pass rushers, Khalil Mack, they will crush the pocket. They play soft zone and make you check it down,. Getting behind the chains, that will be very disadvantageous to us. Stay on schedule and both teams are going to play it the same way. So hopefully we can outplay them at their own game," said Holz.
Make the drives count
With a slower tempo comes slower drives. Those slower drives lead to both teams getting less possessions in the game. Titans head coach Brian Callahan is aware of just how important every possession is in this game and said his team has a "heightened awareness" about making every one count.
"You know you're going to be in the seven to eight possessions, potentially. And that's not a lot. Definitely had games where you come out of it, and you've had three possessions in the first half. So you have to treat those with the respect they deserve. And you know that you might not be able to get the normal 10 or 11 or 12 possessions, and you have to make them count," said Callahan.
Callahan compared it to the second half against the Patriots last week. Both teams only got one possession in the third quarter of that game. New England's 7:21 touchdown drive was answered by a 7:05 possession for Tennessee that ended in a field goal.
On the defensive side of the ball, multiple Titans players told me that they actually look forward to playing an offense like the Chargers. The slow pace allows the defense to stay fresh and gather intel.
"I enjoy it. We're gonna have our breath and have time to gain information throughout the whole drive," said Titans safety Amani Hooker. Rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was in agreement, but said the biggest challenge was not to "fall asleep" over the course of a long drive. That's especially true in the secondary against an offense that runs the ball between the tackles frequently.
We already saw how the Titans faired against a fast, explosive team like the Detroit Lions. That game was a mismatch. Even when Tennessee was playing their ideal football on offense, the way Detroit responded with explosive plays on offense and special teams eventually wore out the Titans defense and immediately killed any momentum.
There's a world where a low-scoring game with both teams only getting 7-8 possessions allows the Titans to hang around long enough and pull out this upset. Turnovers will also be at a premium on Sunday. If you give away possessions and points, it's going to be a difficult hole to climb out of.
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