Titans vs Saints: Second win is a possibility?

The Tennessee Titans will have their franchise quarterback, Marcus Mariota under center once again when they take on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. That, coupled with a new game plan from interim head coach Mike Mularkey could spell a second win for the Titans.

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Folks around the NFL have written off the Titans season and give them little chance to defeat Drew Brees and his high-flying offense, especially at home in the Super Dome.

Many point to the seven touchdowns the veteran quarterback threw in the week 8 win against the New York Giants as a reason the Titans have a small window for success, but the reality is, the Saints defense gave up 49 points in that win.

In fact, the Saints struggles to win games goes back to last year, and has only improved over the last few games. Their 31st ranked defense demands that Brees and the offense score a lot of touchdowns to keep them in games with a chance to win.

Facing the 5th ranked Dick LeBeau defense this Sunday could provide a real test for the Saints this week. Other than a blowout by the Miami Dolphins in week six, The Titans have kept some pretty good NFL quarterbacks from lighting up the scoreboard.

They held the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons to 14 points each, and gave the offense every opportunity to win those games.

With Perrish Cox back in action this week, and some pressure from Jurrell Casey, Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo, the Titans have a real chance of shutting Drew Brees down and giving the offense a another chance to win a ball game.

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It really boils down to whether Mike Mularkey can put a game plan together that will move the football, move the chains, and get the ball into the end zone.

The new coach has promised to run the football, something his predecessor refused to do, and he has promised a team that will play with an attitude and a purpose. That purpose being winning some games during his nine-game job interview.

Dave Tully at ESPN tells us that this game was not on the board in Las Vegas at the start of the week, but later opened with the Saints favored by -8 points, with the line moving to -8.5 when it was announced that Marcus Mariota would start.

Although Tully is picking the Saints to win, he is taking the Titans to keep the game within a touchdown.

It’s no secret that the Tennessee Titans have struggled to find playmakers on offense this year, and as they take the field against the NFL’s number two ranked offense, they will need to keep pace with the Saints when they get an opportunity.

Too many dropped passes and too many penalties have kept this team out of scoring opportunities since the Colts game.

I don’t expect the Titans to win this game, but I do expect a better effort than I have seen since the week five game against the Bills.

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In fact, I think this game will be the decider for Mularkey’s tenure in Music City.

I would like to see them run the football and do a better job of protecting Marcus Mariota. If they can do that and the defense can keep the game close, I will be happy with Mike Mularkey’s first effort at the helm.

And maybe they can sneak out of New Orleans with a win!

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