5 things you need to know about the Titans Week 1 clash with the Bears

It’s an interconference clash between a pair of franchises that didn’t lose a game this summer. The Tennessee Titans and new head coach Brian Callahan finished the preseason 3-0. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears did Tennessee one better, posting a 4-0 exhibition mark. Both clubs are looking to rebound from last-place finishes in 2023. The Titans are also looking to snap a three-game opening week losing streak.

All-Time Series Record

It's not as if there's a long and storied history in regards to this series. The teams met for the first time in 1973 when the Titans were the Oilers and resided in Houston. All told, the Titans own a one-game lead in this setting (7-6) and have prevailed in the last two meetings. Tennessee won at Soldier Field in 2016 by a 27-21 count. In the clubs’ most recent encounter, Tennessee came up with a 24-17 home win in 2020.

Quarterbacks: Tale of the Tape

Will Levis’ powerful arm was on full display during his rookie campaign in 2023. The second-round pick from a year ago opened eyes in his pro debut when he threw for 238 yards and four scores in a win over the Falcons. In his final eight appearances, he combined for four TD passes and just as many interceptions. The team’s wide receiving corps includes DeAndre Hopkins and newcomers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.

Former USC star Caleb Williams hopes to take the franchise to new offensive heights. Chicago finished 27th in the NFL in passing yards per game this past season, and scored through the air only 19 times. Ryan Poles dealt for wide receiver D.J. Moore in 2023 and traded for Keenan Allen this offseason. Williams will also have running back D’Andre Swift, tight end Gerald Everett, and rookie Rome Udonze at his disposal.

Defensive Analysis

Titans’ head coach Brian Callahan’s defensive coordinator is Dennard Wilson. This past season, he was a defensive backs coach for the Ravens, one year after spending two seasons with the Eagles. He inherits a unit that allowed only 30 offensive TDs in 2023. However, the Titans were a mere 17th in the NFL vs. the run. Tennessee defenders must be very wary of Chicago’s 1-2 punch of D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert.

This unit hopes to pick up where it left off in 2023. A year ago, Chicago’s defense bounced back from a rough start. The team finished first in the league vs. the run (31ss in 2022), and tied for the NFL lead with 22 interceptions—with 16 of those picks coming in their final seven games. Led by midseason trade addition Montez Sweat, the Bears totaled 20 sacks in the final eight outings (10 in their first 9 games).

Keys to the Game

Titans: It will be important for new head coach Brian Callahan and new offensive coordinator Nick Holz to keep Chicago’s defense off balance. Second-year quarterback Will Levis has a bevy of weapons, including offseason pickup Tony Pollard. He aids the team as a runner and a pass-catcher. Callahan hopes to keep the Bears’ guessing as Tennessee’s revamped offensive line looks to settle in. That’s easier said than done.

Bears: A season ago, only the AFC North champion Baltimore Ravens, the team with the best record in the league (13-4), ran for more yards than Matt Eberflus’ squad. Meanwhile, the Chicago passing attack hasn’t done much as of late. It has produced just 51 scores in as many games dating back to 2021. Caleb Williams is making his regular-season NFL debut, but look for these Bears to come out throwing early and often.

Titans Player to Watch

As has been well-documented, Chicago’s new-look wide receiving corps has incumbent D.J. Moore, veteran addition Keenan Allen, and 2024 first-round draft choice Rome Udonze. Moore comes off a huge season, totaling 96 catches for 1,364 yards and eight TD grabs—all team-highs for the Bears last season. It’s safe to say that new Titans’ defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson certainly has a lot to think about.

Of course, Tennessee GM Ran Carthon did his due diligence this offseason by addressing both sides of the ball during the offseason. The secondary has a quartet of newcomers in cornerbacks L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, as well as veteran safeties Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs. Sneed figures to draw Moore and hopes to keep the big-play performer under wraps, a task that sounds easier said than done.