The Speed Option: Tennessee Titans

For the second straight season the Buffalo Bills will head down to Nashville to take on the Tennessee Titans in a week five match up. Last year they were facing a 2-2 Titans team led by Marcus Mariota. This year they’re facing a 3-0 Titans team that went to the AFC Championship game after benching Mariota and replacing him with Ryan Tannehill. Here’s a look at the Titans before the undefeated showdown in the Music City.

2020 Year-to-date

The Titans come into this year’s matchup at 3-0. They’re only 3-0 because an outbreak of COVID-19 in their facility led the NFL to postpone their Week 4 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their three wins have come over the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Minnesota Vikings.

Head Coach

Former New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel is a quarter of the way through his third season as an NFL head coach, all of which have been with the Titans. Vrabel has put together a 21-14 record in the regular season and a 2-1 postseason record.

Offensive Coordinator

Arthur Smith is in his second season as the offensive play caller for the Titans. He was promoted from tight ends coach to OC after Matt LaFleur left to take the head coaching job for the Green Bay Packers. He has the Titans’ offense at 12th in points per game scored and tenth in yards per game gained this season.

Defensive Coordinator

At the end of last season Titans’ DC Dean Pees retired and Mike Vrabel chose not to replace him. Instead, Vrabel decided to make the defensive game plan a group effort between his defensive position coaches and himself. Outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was calling plays in the first two games of the season, but missed the third game after he tested positive for COVID-19. The Titans’ defense is ranked 15th in points per game against and 28th in yards per game against.

Offensive Starters

• QB: Ryan Tannehill
• RB: Derrick Henry
• WR: Corey Davis - C19
• WR: A.J. Brown
• WR: Adam Humphries - C19
• TE: Jonnu Smith
• LT: Taylor Lewan
• LG: Rodger Saffold III
• C: Ben Jones
• RG: Nate Davis
• RT: Dennis Kelly

Defensive Starters

• DE: Jack Crawford^
• NT: DaQuan Jones - C19
• DT: Jeffery Simmons - C19
• OLB: Jadeveon Clowney^
• ILB: Rashaan Evans
• ILB: Jayon Brown
• OLB: Harold Landry III
• CB: Adoree’ Jackson
• CB: Malcolm Butler
• SS: Kenny Vaccaro
• FS: Kevin Byard

C19 = on COVID-19 Reserve list
^ = free agent / trade addition
* = rookie