However http://www.authenticstennesseetitans.com/cheap-ben-jones-jersey , there are also quite a few reasons to be optimistic. Brandon Gowton, the smartest man on the internet and manager of Bleeding Green Nation, gives us his 3 reasons that the Eagles will lose to the Titans on Sunday.THREE REASONS WHY THE EAGLES WILL LOSE:1) Jim Schwartz’s defense struggles on the roadPhiladelphia’s defense plays very well at the home. Since the beginning of the 2016 season, the Eagles have allowed just 13.8 points per game when playing at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are 17-3 in that stretch. Playing on the road has been a different story for Schwartz’s unit, however. In that same time frame, the Eagles are allowing 24.3 points per game in away matchups. They’re 7-10 in those contests. The Eagles obviously don’t have the same crowd noise advantage to help their pass rush in road games. That’s a bit of a concern going up a Titans offensive line that’s allowed the fewest quarterback hits through Week 3. Philly’s defense is very reliant on getting to the quarterback. It’s something they’re typically very good at doing considering they lead the NFL in pressures generated. But Marcus Mariota’s mobility presents the Eagles with a challenge they won’t face on most weeks. His ability to avoid pressure and take off running should be a concern for the Eagles. Since 2017, the Eagles have surrendered 282 rushing yards (6.6 yards per rush attempt) and one touchdown to mobile quarterbacks. 33 of those yards came on a run by Andrew Luck last weekend. 2) Carson Wentz might continue to be rustyWentz showed plenty of encouraging signs in his return to the field last week. But he also showed a lot of mental rust. Wentz threw an interception when he stared down Zach Ertz. He got the ball out late a little too often which caused some sacks and incompletions. I have complete confidence Wentz will improve over the course of this season. But it might take him more than just one game before he’s completely shaken the rust off. While I don’t think the Titans’ defense is a juggernaut just yet Navy Jayon Brown Jersey , the unit has performed well under new head coach Mike Vrabel and veteran defensive coordinator Dean Pees. Tennessee’s defensive line ranks 10th in pressures generated, per Pro Football Focus. The defense obviously did a great job of shutting down Blake Bortles, who had played well in Week 2, on the road last Sunday. The Titans might be able to stifle Wentz at times. It doesn’t help the Eagles that they’re still missing some skill players (Darren Sproles, Mike Wallace, and maybe more). 3) Special teams could be a factorThe Titans rank fourth overall in special teams DVOA while the Eagles check in at 29th. Tennessee is averaging 10.3 yards on punt returns and they’ve returned one kickoff for a touchdown. The Eagles, meanwhile Youth Austin Johnson Jersey , are averaging just 4.2 yards per punt return and 19 yards per kick return. Last week, the Eagles used Corey Clement at punt returner in place of Darren Sproles and he muffed multiple return attempts. Perhaps the wet and rainy conditions were to blame but it’s not like he has a ton of returner experience so that’s something to keep an eye on.
If this turns out to be an ugly game, a special teams mistake could make all the difference. If fans would have been told the Titans 2018 offense would be without Delanie Walker and Rishard Matthews, what would the reaction have been?Some may have balked. Some might have rolled their eyes and scoffed. Some may have curled up in the fetal position and looked onward towards the 2019 season.But not this Titans team. HC Mike Vrabel, OC Matt LaFleur and DC Dean Pees have gained the trust of the fan base after earning back to back division wins against the Texans and Jaguars. The coaching staff adjusted to the personnel available and secured an early lead in the race for the AFC South Crown.How can this team continue to improve if players - injury or otherwise - continue to have an impact on what the roster looks like week to week? What they’ve already done - adapt and react.Building TrustMarcus Mariota entered the game following the Malik Jackson K.O. of Blaine Gabbert and performed better than many expected. Maybe the better answer is he performed better than we were led on to believe he would.Mariota’s leaned on his legs and savvy to pick up yards and keep the Jaguars defense off balance. He also made a few plays with his arm. Taking the reins of a new offense with second year weapons at his disposal, Mariota made it work. He didn’t set the world on fire - but he did make plays when he needed to and was efficient in establishing clock-chewing drives that helped win a football game on the road against a tough division opponent.Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY SportsThe Titans host Philly Sunday, and Mariota no longer has Matthews on the roster. However Navy Josh Kline Jersey , Matthews was essentially a non-factor outside of filling in as a returner up until this point of the season.Mariota has already praised and given respect to his receiving group. He has also expressed confidence in the young pass catchers to get the job done. The trust building will really be set into motion Sunday.Davis the Leader of the PackCorey Davis has shown flashes of what he can do in this offense. His counterpart, Taywan Taylor has also shown what he is capable of doing if he can get on the field in some capacity. Davis and Taylor have combined for 20 receptions and 213 yards with the only touchdown belonging to the latter. That figure is something one would expect one receiver to have three games into the season - not two.However, it’s important to understand the context. The quarterback situation has been streaky over the first three weeks. Factor in the difference in personnel across the offensive line and you have some offensive hiccups that are difficult to work through. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY SportsThe receivers will head into the game against the Eagles hungrier than ever before because they now know with Matthews gone, their time is now.Both Davis and Taylor should benefit from the offensive line stabilizing with the likely return of Jack Conklin. It should provide Mariota with a little more time in the pocket to feed the receivers the targets they need to advance their game.Catching the ball is critical. Taylor could already be at two touchdowns for the season as he dropped a dime from Mariota. Davis could’ve had a touchdown in the opener had Mariota seen him in time. But that’s the past, this team is zeroed in on the future.With laser focus in knocking off the defending Super Bowl Champions, the future is now.The future is Davis and Taylor.