3 KEY MATCHUPS
Jon Feliciano vs. Jurrell Casey
Buffalo's hard-nosed right guard will have a challenge on his hands in four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jurrell Casey. Casey is quick off the ball and powerful. He had a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery all on the same play in the win over Atlanta last week.
Levi Wallace vs. A.J. Brown
The rookie receiver for the Titans isn't even a starter, but he's proven to be a game-breaker after turning in a three-catch 94-yard performance that included a pair of touchdowns last week. Buffalo's right cornerback is all too familiar with the former SEC opponent and should be up to the task.
Bills run 'D' vs. Derrick Henry
Henry is their workhorse and the Titans will stick with the run even if it's not working early as evidenced by Tennessee's sixth-ranked run percentage on offense (45.2%). Since Week 14 of last season, Henry leads the NFL in rushing yards (895) and rushing touchdowns (10).
2 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Stingy defense
The Titans defense might not have as many top 10 rankings in a host of defensive categories like the Bills, but they have been every bit as stingy when it comes to points allowed. Tennessee has given up 62 points in four games, one better than Buffalo's opponent total (63).
Taking care of the ball
While the Bills are tied for the league lead in giveaways with 10, Tennessee has been the best in the league at protecting the football with just one turnover thus far this season, a lost fumble. QB Marcus Mariota has thrown seven touchdown passes with no interceptions on 119 pass attempts.
1 THINGS THAT COULD DECIDE THE GAME
Buffalo's pass rush
Tennessee's pass protection has been suspect all season. Mariota has been sacked at least four times in three of the Titans first four games this year, including a season-high nine against Jacksonville. They're last in the league in sacks allowed per play. If Buffalo's front four can get home it could dramatically alter the Titans effectiveness in the pass game.
The Bills don't blitz a whole lot and they'd be wise to keep it that way this week. According to NextGen Stats, Mariota has a 122.8 passer rating against the blitz this season (6 TD, 0 INT), which is 5th-best in the NFL.
UNDERCURRENTS
- LT Taylor Lewan is back from a four-game suspension to start the season. His return to the lineup could provide more consistent protection up front as he's expected to replace Dennis Kelly on the blind side.
- Elsewhere on the offensive line there's been some rotation at right guard most recently between Jamil Douglas and rookie Nate Davis. The two are splitting time, not unlike what the Bills have done at right tackle between Cody Ford and Ty Nsekhe.
- The Titans have a pass rush of their own with 13 sacks already this season. Tennessee ranks fifth in the league in sacks.
- Buffalo's offense could benefit this week going from the Patriots to the Titans. Tennessee has many similar defensive concepts to that of New England with Bill Belichick disciples in Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and defensive coordinator Dean Pees running things in Tennessee. The Titans however, don't play quite as much man coverage as the Patriots.
- Buffalo and Tennessee have engaged in some nail-biters of late. Each of their last three games have been decided by a single point, with the Bills winning the last two.
