“`html

Tennessee Titans at Washington Commanders Preview

Tennessee (3-8) will face off against Washington (7-5) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST on CBS. The latest odds from BetMGM indicate that the Commanders are favored by 6.5 points.

Against the spread, the Titans have struggled significantly, holding a 2-9 record, while the Commanders have fared better at 7-5. In previous matchups, Tennessee leads the all-time series 8-6, having won the last encounter 21-17 on October 9, 2022, in Washington. Last week, the Titans secured a win against the Texans with a score of 32-27, whereas the Commanders suffered a loss to the Cowboys, falling 34-26.

Analyzing the teams’ performances, the Titans’ offense currently ranks 25th overall, with a 16th place in rushing, 30th in passing, and 28th in scoring. Defensively, however, they stand out, ranked second overall, eighth against the run, first against the pass, and 27th in scoring. In contrast, the Commanders boast a strong offense that ranks 6th overall, placing 5th in rushing, 14th in passing, and 5th in scoring, while their defense is positioned 16th overall with a notable 4th rank against the pass but struggles against the run at 29th. The turnover differential shows the Titans at minus-12, contrasting with the Commanders at plus-3.

One of the key players for the Titans to watch is quarterback Will Levis. Since returning from injury, he has demonstrated impressive form, completing 67.9% of his passes for 748 yards in his last three games, which ranks him seventh during that stretch. He has thrown five touchdown passes while only tossing two interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 107.2. However, Levis needs to address his vulnerability to sacks, having been brought down 20 times since his comeback.

On the other hand, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu has emerged as a notable player this season, potentially being the standout signing for first-year general manager Adam Peters. He has recorded 79 tackles and seven sacks, contributing significantly to Washington’s defense alongside six-time All-Pro Bobby Wagner.

A critical matchup to observe will be Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels against the Titans’ secondary. Despite being a frontrunner for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels’ recent performances have been inconsistent, indicating that defenses are starting to adapt to him and head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s strategies. After Tennessee’s success in intercepting C.J. Stroud last week, Daniels may face a more challenging test against the Titans than he did against the Cowboys.

In terms of injuries, the Titans hope to see safety Amani Hooker return after he was a late scratch due to illness. Running back Tyjae Spears is still in the concussion protocol following last week’s game, and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie’s return from injured reserve is uncertain. For the Commanders, running back Austin Ekeler and starting right tackle Andrew Wylie are expected to miss this game due to concussions. The status of running back Brian Robinson Jr. remains unclear after he sprained his ankle against Dallas, and the Commanders have recorded a 1-2 record during his previous absences this season. Additionally, cornerback Marshon Lattimore is yet to make his debut following his trade from New Orleans due to a hamstring injury, and the team recently placed kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve, leading to the expected promotion of Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad.

Regarding the historical context of this matchup, the Titans have triumphed in their last two encounters and possess a balanced record of 4-4 when playing on the road against Washington. The Commanders aim to end their losing streak against Tennessee since 2014. Additionally, first-year head coach Brian Callahan of Tennessee has family ties to Washington, as his father, Bill, spent five years as part of their coaching staff. Currently, the Commanders are enduring a three-game losing streak, having lost to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Dallas. Their first meeting with the Titans occurred in 1971, shortly after the AFL-NFL merger, where Washington emerged victorious.

In terms of current stats, the Titans are on the verge of clinching their third consecutive losing season with their defense allowing only 276.4 yards per game, including 169.6 yards passing. Titans running back Tony Pollard had another notable performance last week with 119 rushing yards, marking his second 100-yard game this season. The Titans recorded four sacks against Houston and expect kicker Nick Folk to achieve his 400th career field goal soon. Meanwhile, rookie cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. logged his first interception last week, along with linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. getting his first as well. In the receiving department, wide receiver Calvin Ridley is nearing the 5,000-yard milestone.

For fantasy football players, with the injuries to both Robinson and Ekeler, Jeremy McNichols seems likely to step in as the primary running back. McNichols brings experience, having played in 30 games over two seasons with the Titans. Don’t overlook Chris Rodriguez Jr., who could receive a high volume of carries after being recently signed from the practice squad. He has previously led the Commanders in rushing this season.

“`