Preseason preview: Titans vs Denver Broncos in Week One
By Brady Akins
Titans Offense vs Broncos Defense
You can’t tell the tale of the Tennessee Titans offense without talking about Derrick Henry, who could be up for a tough test when he faces off against the Broncos’ defensive line– now staring a former Titan in Jurrell Casey.
The Broncos run defense, led by their interior defensive line, wasn’t exactly a world-beating unit in 2019— and for as good as Casey is, his presence on the team won’t be a complete overhaul. But Denver’s run defense wasn’t a cakewalk either, and when these two teams met in Week 6 of 2019, Henry had by far his worst performance of the season.
Of course, the glaring difference between the last time these two teams met and their impending matchup for the coming season, is that this time Ryan Tannehill will be running the show for the entire game.
An effective dose of Ryan Tannehill at quarterback should be able to take just enough pressure off of Derrick Henry in order for the Titans to do some damage, but against a talented secondary like the Broncos have, Tannehill at his top form isn’t a guarantee.
Tennessee will be facing a strong safety duo in Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson, and while he isn’t the threat that he used to be, Denver’s newly acquired cornerback AJ Bouye is still a threat on the outside.
The threat that might shut the Titans gameplan down entirely is the Broncos’ pass-rush, headlined by Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Tennessee won’t have the help of Jack Conklin to help Taylor Lewan in shutting that talented duo down anymore, and whether the starting right tackle is Dennis Kelly or the rookie, Isaiah Wilson, they’ll have their hands full in what could be a crucial Week 1 role.