Week 2 Preview: Tennessee Titans Host NFC Champs Carolina Panthers

This week’s edition of preseason football showcases the Tennessee Titans (1-0) hosting the defending NFC Champion Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Nissan Stadium. The game begins at 2:00PM CST with what appears to be some likely rainy conditions.

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Most people, especially myself, are looking forward to this week’s follow up of Head Coach Mike Mularkey’s “exotic smash-mouth” football.

Many fans and analysts weren’t sure what to expect, but in the first preseason game against the San Diego Chargers it’s safe to say that expectations were easily met and even exceeded.

In total, six RBs for the Titans rushed for a total of 285 yards.That all started with the Titans biggest acquisition of the offseason, running back DeMarco Murray. Murray dazzled in his Titans debut running 6 times for 93 yards including a sensational 71 yard TD.

Not to be out done, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winning running back from Alabama, Derrick Henry, also showed fireworks in his Titans debut carrying the rock 10 times for 74 yards and a TD. Bishop Sankey also stood out and made the most of his opportunity when he scampered for a 41 yard touchdown on his first touch of the game.

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Titans re-signing Jeffery Simmons leaves a Hulk-sized footprint in AFC South

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  • Back to looking ahead to this weeks contest against the Panthers, the Titans will look for similar results. This will give the Titans a chance to run a couple series against one of, if not the, premiere defenses in the league. According to NFL.com the Carolina Panthers ranked 4th in rushing defense for the 2015 NFL regular season only surrendering 3.9 yard per carry (YPC) and only 88 rushing yards per game (YPG).

    If the Titans can have similar results against the Panthers’ first team defense it will definitely give the NFL world something to talk about and surely give the Titans’ faithful something to be optimistic about.

    The Titans will not be doing Panthers specific game-planning but are watching film to paint a better picture of their tendencies. Panthers QB Cam Newton is coming off an MVP winning season and very well could’ve had one of the most decorated seasons -EVER – had he capped it off with the Super Bowl win. While Newton is at the QB helm for Saturday’s contest it will give the Titans defense an incredible challenge.

    Aside from seeing the second installment of “exotic smash-mouth” football I look forward to seeing newly acquired Titans OT Dennis Kelly. In case you were living under a rock this week, the Titans made waves not only in their locker room but throughout the NFL when they traded second year WR Dorial Green-Beckham for Philadelphia Eagles OT Dennis Kelly.

    At first I couldn’t believe the Titans would trade a player that has such a high ceiling but he has been told time and time again that he needs to show up ready to work, be consistent, and put in extra effort. There is no doubt that GM Jon Robinson is not afraid to make a move and/or send a message. For more on what Kelly brings to the table see Will Lomas’ scouting report.

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    I will be keeping my eyes on the second outing for our “exotic smash-mouth” football approach and I will be looking to see our new giant 6’8, 325lb OT Dennis Kelly display what he will bring to our football team. Competition is good and will bring out the best in our players as we look to build our franchise from the ground up.

    Schedule