The Tennessee Titans are looking to extend their win streak to three this week, as they travel north for a matchup against Zach Wilson and the New York Jets. Wilson has struggled through his first few NFL games — especially in the first quarter. He’s completed just 2 of 11 passes for 18 yards and two interceptions in first quarters this season.
The Titans on the other hand have gotten back on track after their dreadful Week 1 outing against the Arizona Cardinals, but you can’t sleep on any of the 32 teams in the NFL. Tennessee still has some issues on defense and injuries that are worth keeping an eye on. While the Titans are big favorites this week, they have lost three straight meetings in New Jersey.
Before we get into breaking down this matchup, here’s how you can watch on Sunday.
All NFL odds are via Caesars Sportsbook.
How to watch
Date: Sunday, Oct. 3 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)
Follow: CBS Sports App
Odds: Titans -7.5, O/U 45
Key matchups to watch
Derrick Henry vs. Jets defense
He’s the engine that makes this Titans offense go and he’s eyeing three straight rushing crowns. Derrick Henry is your early-season rushing leader with 353 yards and three touchdowns on 80 attempts. According to PFF, just under two-thirds of his 113 rushing yards against the Indianapolis Colts came after contact, and he forced five missed tackles. Henry also threw a couple of stiff-arms and ran over Darius Leonard.
The game plan for teams facing the Titans is the same every week. Stopping Henry or limiting him as much as possible is how you make the Titans’ offense uncomfortable. The Jets’ run defense is actually just outside the top 10 at No. 14, so this could be a bit closer than anticipated.
Zach Wilson vs. Titans pass rush
Wilson is tied atop the interception leaderboard but it’s not because he’s unfit for the job or lacks talent. His offensive line has been a huge issue. Wilson has been pressured on 47 percent of his dropbacks — which ranks third-most in the league — and has been sacked more than any other quarterback (15 times). Keeping that pressure on Wilson will eliminate New York’s chances of pulling off an upset.
Harold Landry recorded 10 pressures and a half-sack, per PFF, and Tennessee’s linebackers allowed just 18 yards on five combined targets. David Long certainly stood out from that group, but the other incredibly bright spot was former Steelers castoff Ola Adeniyi — who has evolved from a good special teams player into a legitimate pass rusher — as he has recorded 2.5 sacks over the last two games. The Titans’ front seven could win this game with a strong performance.
Titans WR trouble?
The Titans could be missing their top two receivers this week. On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Julio Jones is receiving treatment on a leg injury and that his status for Sunday is “up in the air.” Fellow star wideout A.J. Brown is already dealing with a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the majority of Tennessee’s Week 3 win over the Colts. He could miss a week or two, according to Rapoport.
If Jones and Brown were to miss Sunday’s game, expect Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Cameron Batson and Chester Rogers to step up at receiver. Westbrook-Ikhine was Tennessee’s leading receiver Sunday with four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. This is reason for worry but I don’t know how much it could affect the outcome of the game.
Prediction
Latest Odds: Tennessee Titans -7
The Titans haven’t played a complete game through three weeks, but they have an opportunity for one here. Even with the injuries the Titans are dealing with, I will not be predicting a win from the Jets just yet.
Pick: Titans 27-17 over Jets
Check out CBSSports.com for even more predictions on this game and the rest of Week 4.
