Nick Piccone
The Eagles are traveling to Nashville this Sunday to take on a Tennessee Titans team that notched a surprising yet impressive win against the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend, who might just be one of the best teams, if not the best, in the AFC right now.
Reports say Marcus Mariota is going to start for the Titans at quarterback. He’s been dealing with nerve issues in his throwing elbow causing him issues with gripping the football. The Titans’ rushing game is almost nonexistent, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt and one rushing touchdown so far in three weeks.
But the Titans’ defense could give Carson Wentz some problems in only his second game back. The Eagles’ defense doesn’t show up on the road too often. Something will give this weekend.
To the predictions:
Candis McLean (2-1, @CandisRMcLean):
Tennessee is coming of an impressive win against Jacksonville. Regardless of their quarterback situation, their defense always shows up. In its first test, our defense sank when away from The Linc. I was prepared to exclaim we’re going to lose, but this new Alshon Jeffery wrinkle may provide a boost to a much maligned receiving corps. Under the logic that Jefferey’s status has yet to be confirmed, I’ll go with the home team in this one.
Titans 17-14.
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Anthony Mazziotti (2-1, @AntMazziotti):
Absolutely nothing about the Tennessee Titans scares me. I know they just beat the Jaguars last week – but there’s nothing special about the Titans.
Marcus Mariota is injured and Blaine Gabbert is a career backup. Sure, Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis are a good “Thunder and Lightning” combo, but the Eagles have a damn good run defense – nothing scary there.
Even if the Titans defense is good I trust Wentz-Ertz-Jeffery-Agholor with whatever three running backs are healthy to put up enough points to win. More so, I love Doug Pederson’s game-planning. Even if the team isn’t performing their best they’re always in position to win. An ugly win is still a win.
Eagles 31-17.
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Tony Cutillo (1-2, @TCutillo23):
Luckily for the Eagles, Andrew Luck still as an arm comparable to Spaghetti #9. They squeaked out a victory against the Colts in Carson’s return due in large part to the defense. This week they should have no issue stopping the offensive starved Titans who are still searching for an identity. However, the other side of the ball could be a challenge. Their defense is underrated and will do everything in their power to disrupt the timing of Carson Wentz. Will they succeed? At times, sure. However, with the sea of Green set to be unleashed in Nashville, it won’t be enough to be victorious.
Eagles 27-13.
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Adrian Fedkiw (2-1, @AdrianFedkiw):
Run-first teams don’t fare well against Philadelphia and even if the offense still needs more time to get rolling, the defense won’t be allowing much to a bland Titans offense.
Eagles 23-13.
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Sean Brace (2-1, @Sean_Brace):
Am I supposed to fear a team that runs more than they pass in today’s NFL? Yes, it’s a road game but after last week’s performance by Carson Wentz – a game that he was clearly rusty and had to deal with terrible conditions – the boy shined! This week, they raise it up a level on offense and roll the Titans.
Eagles 27-17.
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Nick Piccone (2-1, @nickpiccone):
The Titans beat the Jaguars last week. They also beat the Jags twice last season, 37-16 in Week 2 and 15-10 in Week 17. Maybe the Titans just have the Jags’ number? Maybe their wins against Jacksonville aren’t indicative of the actual team who finished 9-7 last season. I don’t fear them, but I didn’t fear the Bucs, either. The defense will need to show up on the road, and against Mariota, Gabbert, Davis or any other quarterback the team may sign for the week, that seems like a good bet to take.
Go Birds. ON THE ROAD.
Eagles 30-13.
You can follow Nick Piccone on Twitter (@nickpiccone) and Instagram (@picconenick), and e-mail him at [email protected]. Subscribe to The Straight Shooters Podcast (@ShootersRadio) on iTunes here and listen every Friday afternoon at 2:00 P.M. on Wildfire Radio. Click here to read his pro wrestling articles on PhillyVoice.
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