3. Win in the trenches
In their Week 1 win in Cleveland, the Titans offensive line did what it took to win. They looked good, all things considered. Down their Pro Bowl left tackle, Taylor Lewan, and being forced to start Jamil Douglas at right guard, the Titans got creative.
In a press conference on Friday, Browns’ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said that the Titans “used a lot of play-action and bootlegs to get D-Line moving sideways,” per Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette.
The Titans will need to move the pocket once more against the Colts.
Kemoko Turay finished with the top @PFF grade for all EDGE rushers in Week 1 = 95.6
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) September 10, 2019
The leap is happening for another #Colts 2018 draft pick! pic.twitter.com/lqGwyu3Xik
Most everyone is aware that the Colts added veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston this past offseason. What some are not aware of is how good DE Kemoko Turay is, the Colts’ 2018 second-rounder. Luckily for Titans fans, Turay is now listed as doubtful on the Colts’ injury report.
Turay finished with PFF’s top grade for all EDGE rushers in Week 1, registering one of five Colts sacks on the day. Colts’ 2019 second-round pick, DE Ben Banogu, will be the next man up this week, and he’s no slouch either.
The Titans must still design roll-outs, and keep the Colts’ D-Line moving in order to keep Mariota upright. Lewan is still out due to suspension, and as of Friday, RG Kevin Pamphile will not play on Sunday due to a knee injury.
In Week 1, the Titans gave up four sacks, one of which was on Mariota. One of Marcus’ biggest issues has been holding onto the football for too long, making it difficult for his linemen to sustain blocks. If OC Arthur Smith can draw it up, and help Mariota get the ball out quickly, the Titans O-line should be able to ward off the Colts’ surge.