Tennessee Titans: 3 reasons for optimism vs. Atlanta Falcons
![KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Nate Davis #64 of the Charlotte 49ers pass blocks Defensive lineman Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 14-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Nate Davis #64 of the Charlotte 49ers pass blocks Defensive lineman Darrell Taylor #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Charlotte 49ers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 14-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1057021350-1-850x560-b6d5fe5290da4794e1ca14ca0985b0856d0d928a928eb3cdc75a2ee63d8a6425.jpg)
The “magic number” is attainable
While the Falcons have done a good job limiting yards overall (311.3 total yards allowed per game ranks sixth), Atlanta has permitted 25 points per game to opponents, which is the 10th-worst in the NFL.
Through three weeks, Atlanta has defended both the pass (211.3 yards/game) and run (100 yards/game) well. However, those numbers should both take a serious hit now that star safety Keanu Neal is out for the season with a torn achilles.
One of the issues the Tennessee Titans have had the last two weeks is scoring points. Tennessee has mustered up just 24 combined in its last two games, and scored seven in Week 3. Thankfully for Tennessee, Atlanta’s defense isn’t nearly as talented as Jacksonville’s.
As Paul Kuharsky noted via Inside Edge NFL, the Titans are a perfect 7-0 when scoring 22 points or more since the start of last season.
Can they reach the magic number in Atlanta? The #Titans are undefeated (7-0) when scoring 22 or more points since the start of last season -- tied for best in NFL; League Avg: .726 via @IE_NFL
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 25, 2019
A big reason for that is because the team’s defense has been exceptional at limiting points. Granted, the Falcons offense has a ton of talent and will be more difficult to stop than most, but the Titans defense has allowed an impressive 17.3 points per game thus far.
That “magic number” sounds just about right, and it’s certainly attainable against this Falcons defense.