The Green Bay Packers head back on the road for Week 3 when they visit the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Packers are 1-1 on the season while the Titans are 0-2. The Pack won their home opener last week, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 16-10. Meanwhile, Tennessee fell to the New York Jets 24-17 in their home opener. Here are the keys to victory for the Packers in their Week 3 matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
The Packers trail the all-time series between these two teams 6-8-0 in the regular season. The series dates back to 1972 when the Titans were the Houston Oilers. The two teams have never met in the postseason.
Here are the keys to victory for Sunday’s game in Tennessee:
Packers Keys to Victory vs Titans, Number One: Get Pressure on the Quarterback
The Packers pass rush has recorded three sacks in the first two games. Because they faced two teams with dangerous running quarterbacks in the first two games, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley modified his usual aggressive approach to rushing the passer. The goal was to contain those QBs from running more than it was to sack them. But Titans quarterback Will Levis isn’t as dangerous running the ball, and he has a leaky offensive line in front of him.
The Titans offensive line has already allowed seven sacks through two games. The Packers have a big advantage with Rashan Gary facing right tackle Nicholas Petite-Frere. Petite-Frere has allowed more pressures than any tackle in the NFL thus far this season.
Kenny Clark should also have an edge against Titans center Lloyd Cushenberry.
Levis has been mistake prone when he’s under harried. If the Packers can put pressure on Levis, they can create turnovers.
Number Two: Run the Football Consistently
Regardless of whether Malik Willis or Jordan Love starts at quarterback, the Packers will need to continue to run the football effectively. Willis will be a bigger part of the run game himself if he’s the starter. Either way, that means plenty of work for Josh Jacobs. The offensive line will also have to continue to run block effectively.
The Packers enter the game as the NFL’s top rushing game, averaging 212 yards per game on the ground. The Titans run defense is allowing just 92.5 yards per game and ranks 10th in the NFL.
Head coach Matt LaFleur did a good job of mixing his running plays, the fakes that were run and the way they were called. He will need to continue to be creative this week against a tougher run defense in Tennessee. The Titans have a much better run defense than the Colts so the challenge to move the ball on the ground will be greater.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Titans, Number Three: Protect the Quarterback
If Love starts, the Packers will need to be extra careful to protect him as his mobility will be limited. If it’s Willis, he will need enough time to throw the football as he remains inexperienced. This would be Willis’ fifth NFL start and he’s still been with the Packers for less than a month.
The offensive line will need to keep the Titans from pressuring the quarterback. Harold Landry is the Titans best pass rusher. He has three sacks through two games. Right tackle Zach Tom will have the primary responsibility of keeping Landry from getting to the quarterback.
The Packers will likely have to throw the football more than they did a week ago and protecting the quarterback will be vital to doing that successfully.
Number Four: Clean Up the Penalties
The Packers have committed far too many penalties in their first two games this season. The infractions derailed drives and have even taken points off the board on offense. On defense, they helped the Eagles extend drives in Week 1.
The Packers will either have their backup quarterback again or will have their starter playing through injuries. They cannot afford to hurt themselves offensively or defensively, the margin for error is less than usual.
The Packers need to play a cleaner game and cut down on the penalties to win this one on the road.
Packers Keys to Victory vs Titans, Number Five: Win the Turnover Battle
The Packers have already intercepted five passes through two games this year. Last season they picked off just seven all season. Overall, the Packers are second in the league with a plus-four turnover differential through two games while the Titans are dead last with a minus-four.
If the Packers win the turnover battle, they have a great chance of winning the football game. Turnovers have really killed the Titans thus far this season.
Number Six: Take Advantage of the Titans Poor Special Teams
The Titans have already had two punts blocked this season. If Rich Bisaccia can scheme a way to block another, that could be a game changer by giving the Packers a short field.
If Keisean Nixon gets the opportunity to return some kicks, he could break one. The Titans allow opponents an average of 31 yards per kick return in four tries.
The Packers need to take advantage of these weaknesses on the Tennessee special teams while preventing Titans return specialist Jha’Quan Jackson from making a big play.
Prediction:
The Packers will have a tougher time running the football against Tennessee than they did last week against Indianapolis. This means they will need to play a smart and efficient game offensively and pass the ball more often than they did last week.
If Willis starts, he’ll be facing the team that just traded him away last month so he will want to show them they made a mistake.
The Titans will be desperate and don’t want to start the season 0-3. They have made a lot of mistakes this year when pressured and their struggling offensive line should set the Packers defense up for a big game.
It won’t be easy, and it may not be pretty, but the Packers will get their first win ever in Tennessee.
Packers 23, Titans 17
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