The Tennessee Titans are just a hours away from hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a Thursday night primetime showdown inside Nissan Stadium.
It’s no secret that the Titans enter today’s game as unquestioned long shots after they announced that several key players will be resting and recovering in preparation for next weekend’s winner-take-all divisional showdown in Jacksonville.
On offense, the Titans are expected to be without their starting quarterback, running back, left tackle, center, right guard, and right tackle.
As for the defense, they’ll be without their entire front four, both starting inside linebackers, one of their starting cornerbacks, and starting safety.
Nonetheless, where there’s a will, there’s always a way, and that’s no different in this situation.
With all of that said, let’s go over this week’s three keys to a Titans victory over the Cowboys in what will be the final “Thursday Night Football” game of the 2022 season.
Contain Dallas’ pass-rush
The Cowboys’ defensive front is one of the most tenacious in the NFL, currently ranking third in sacks with an average of 3.3 per game.
Dallas is led by young superstar Micah Parsons, a defender who looks every bit like a generational talent through his first two seasons in the NFL.
After a rookie season in which Parsons unanimously won Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Penn State legend has arguably had an even better sophomore campaign in 2022.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Cowboys’ do-it-all linebacker currently leads the NFL in quarterback pressures (79), while ranking sixth in sacks after tallying 13 through 15 games.
Parsons also owns the second-highest overall grade amongst edge defenders (91.1), as well as the second-highest pass-rush grade (91.6).
Dallas’ defensive star is listed as questionable, so there is a chance that he may not play this evening. Needless to say, Parsons’ presence won’t be missed if he decides to rest and recover later on tonight.
Outside of Parsons, the Cowboys have three other defenders along their defensive front that have combined for a total of 17 sacks between the three of them: Dorance Armstrong (eight), Demarcus Lawrence (six), Osa Odighizuwa (three).
As for the Titans, their offense presently owns the third-worst opposing sack percentage in the entire league (9.98 percent).
Offensive tackle Dennis Daley has been a large reason for this consistent issue, allowing a league-leading 13 sacks on the year.
Regardless of whoever the Cowboys field on defense, the Titans’ depleted offensive line has to hold up long enough to give its quarterback a puncher’s chance at operating the offense with success.
If the Titans are able to somehow slow down the Cowboys’ pass-rush, they should give themselves a slim shot in this one.
Lean on the run (and Josh Dobbs' legs)
The best way to attack the Cowboys is on the ground, where Dallas ranks 22nd in the NFL. However, the Titans are going to have a more difficult time than normal running the football in Week 17 for a few reasons.
On top of offensive line issues, it looks like Derrick Henry won’t play, but it’ll also be hard to run the ball when the Cowboys don’t have to respect the pass at all, allowing them to stack the box with impunity.
One way to help alleviate pressure on Tennessee’s backs is to draw up designed runs for Dobbs. We’re looking at you, Todd Downing.
If Tennessee can get Dobbs and their backs going, it’ll slow down the pass-rush and give the him a better chance to make plays through the air. If Tennessee can’t, it’s going to be a long night for the offense.
Get Treylon Burks and Chig Okonkwo the football
This key is a bit more complicated than usual considering the Titans are playing with a young quarterback that is still very raw at the moment.
Nevertheless, if Tennessee wants to win this game, it’s critical that they consistently find ways to get the ball into the hands of rookie pas- catchers Treylon Burks and Chig Okonkwo.
According to @NextGenStats, #Titans TE Chigoziem Okonkwo earned the lone 90+ athleticism score among the entire Tight End class (91) – Nine points higher than the next rookie TE.@ChigTweets’ skillset is extremely intriguing for Tennessee’s passing attack#RookieMiniCamp pic.twitter.com/Szm3CJ6RZH
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) May 14, 2022
Whether it’s through the ground or in the passing game, it would be wise for the Titans’ offense to find ways to get the ball into the hands of their best young playmakers.
Burks in particular could use all the touches he can get to help knock off some of the rust he accumulated after being sidelined for a few weeks with a concussion.
Last weekend, Tennessee’s first-round receiver was given the ball on an end-around, resulting in a 15-yard pick-up on the ground. Malik Willis also connected with Burks on a 22-yard reception that was ultimately called back for holding.
Another DART from Malik Willis to Treylon Burks pic.twitter.com/tSm4OlivBR
— Not Jamey Chadwell (@Liberty_Flames_) December 24, 2022
Okonkwo, on the other hand, has been one of the better rookie tight ends in recent memory, as well as a sight for sore eyes on an offense that desperately needs talented pass-catchers.
Chig is also only 75 yards away from topping Jonnu’s career high in receiving yards as a rookie 🔥#Titans https://t.co/r3FVzdy0IA
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) December 20, 2022
Truthfully, this relatively meaningless game may be the perfect opportunity for the offense to feed their rookie weapons in the hopes of getting Burks and Okonkwo rolling prior to next weekend’s massive showdown.
Should both of the Titans’ rookie weapons make their presences felt in prime time, Tennessee will at least give itself a chance at pulling off the shocking upset.
No self-inflicted wounds
Simply put, the Titans are already major underdogs in this one, so they don’t need to assist Dallas further by turning the ball over. One of the easiest ways to get beat in the NFL is to give your opponent extra possessions that also serve as momentum-altering plays.
Tennessee has no realistic shot at pulling off the upset if this already shorthanded group ends up losing the turnover battle as well.
Another way the Titans can shoot themselves in the foot is by producing deflating penalties that either negate their own positive plays, and/or backbreaking flags that drastically assist the opponent.
If the Titans can avoid both of those from happening throughout Thursday’s contest, they might just give themselves a shot to end the day with a .500 record.
