By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usastoday.com
Back home and back to the AFC.
After back-to-back games against the NFC North on the road, the Buffalo Bills will return to their own conference and home stadium as they’ll host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Here are five things to know about the Bills’ Wee 5 opponent, the Titans:
Close contests
So far in 2018, the Titans have had their fair share of close games. In fact, all four of their games so far this have been decided by less than a field goal. Last week at home the Titans, upset the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, 26-23, in overtime. Overall, the Titans are 3-1 and if it’s any sign, their only loss came against their only other game against an AFC East opponent. The Miami Dolphins topped the Titans 27-20 on opening day.
Mariota scare
In 2015, the Titans made Marcus Mariota their franchise quarterback, handing him the keys to the car as the second-overall pick. Mariota isn’t a bust, but he hasn’t been consistent. He’s fresh off a 30-for-43, 344 passing yard win, but he’s 21-23 overall in his career. All of that would’ve meant nothing, though.
In Tennessee’s season opener, Mariota injured his elbow and for a brief moment, things were concerning. The worry was Mariota suffered nerve damage and it took more than a week for him get full feelings back in his hand. He even struggled started his car with that hand. The same injury ended the career of NFL running back Denard Robinson. Thankfully, feeling came back and Mariota can continue his career.
Watch out, Josh
The Titans get after the quarterback. Through four games, the Titans have 12 total sacks and are fresh off a game where they landed 11 quarterback hits on Philly QB Carson Wentz. Defensive tackle Jurrell Casey leads the way with three sacks this season, with linebacker Kamalei Correa notching two on the young year. Seven other players also have a single sack this year for the Titans’ defense, indicating the Tennessee defense brings the pressure from all over. Making matters worse is the 21 sacks the Bills have taken this season, which leads the NFL by four. Could be a long day for rookie quarterback Josh Allen again.
Vontae Davis 2.0
Infamously in Week 2’s home opener for the Bills against the Los Angeles Chargers, cornerback Vontae Davis, a 10-year veteran, quit. At halftime, he retired never to play for the Bills again. While the Titans didn’t have a situation like that unfold, their locker room has had similar turmoil.
Wide receiver Rishard Matthews led the Titans receiving room the past two seasons. This year, he isn’t and decided he didn’t like the way things were going. So he decided he was done. He demanded to be moved and he was released by the team last week but still hasn’t signed anywhere.
O-line anchors
As prior mentioned, the Buffalo offensive line is having some problems this season. Sure, the Bills also have a quarterback in Allen who holds onto the ball for too long, but it’s not all on him. With that in mind, the Titans have an offensive line that the Bills could be looking to as one the organization wants to build in the future.
Tennessee has not one, but two first-round anchors on their line. Both tackles, Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin were first rounders of the team, selected at No. 11 and No. 6 overall in the 2014 and 2016 drafts, respectively. Worth mentioning now, Buffalo defense ends Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy might have a tough time against those two next week.