Looking at the Titans’ offense in recent weeks, it has become clear that they are led by a trio of offensive leaders. The term is most commonly associated with ancient Rome and its leaders Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, but we’ll save that history lesson for another time.
Instead, the three strongest players leading the Titans are quarterback Will Revis, running back Derrick Henry, and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. If the Bucks have any chance of winning Sunday afternoon, it starts with limiting each team’s control of the game. It’s a tough task, and one that both Bucks players and coaches have been preparing for.
‘Don’t underestimate anyone’, including Titans QB Will Levis
Only two games of NFL tape remain on Will Revis, but from what we can glean, it’s not all that surprising that the Titans decided to keep him as their starting quarterback over Ryan Tannehill. After absolutely shining in his debut game against the Falcons (in a great throwback uniform, I might add), Levi stood up against a consistently tough Steelers defense, was persistent, and did enough to keep it close throughout. Did. Former NFL quarterback JT O’Sullivan, current QB School organizer, You did a great job analyzing Will Revis’ play in that game..
Titans QB Will Levis – Photo courtesy of USA Today
But the Bucks have already given Levis plenty of consideration dating back to the offseason.they were one of the teams invited him to visit the top 30 And head coach Todd Bowles spoke this week about his memories of meeting with his head coach in April.
“He’s a smart guy,” Bowles said. “He’s a good quarterback, very smart, very aware, very strong arm, very athletic. He had all the intangibles.”
After allowing another rookie quarterback, CJ Stroud, to attack the defense last week, Bowles and the rest of the defense aren’t going to take Levis lightly. In particular, he doesn’t look like he’s playing like a rookie, much like Stroud.
“Twenty years ago, when you looked at a rookie quarterback, it was like he was licking his chops,” Bucs defensive coordinator Larry Foote said Thursday. “I think from Little League, 7-on-7, high school, these quarterbacks can pass the ball. [was] That wasn’t the case 20 years ago.
“A lot has passed – we [saw] That guy from last week didn’t look like a rookie.It’s the same [Levis] Watching him on tape, he knows what to do with the ball. He has a strong shoulder and has sparked a little bit of fire since becoming the Titans’ starting pitcher. He’s going to be a big challenge. Those days are long gone. If you’re a starting quarterback in this league, you’re dangerous. ”
The Bucs learned a lesson not to underestimate their quarterback after their secondary gave up 470 passing yards and five touchdowns last week. Bucs cornerback Zion McCollum said he respects Will Levis, but he’s going to have to play against a group that needs to get fired up to get back to his old ways.
“He’s got a really strong arm and can roll one way and throw perfectly the other way,” McCollum said. “They seem to trust him to make a lot of deep throws and just loosen up the ball. Don’t underestimate him either. We just respect him and have a lot of respect for him, so I’m sure he’ll show that to us.”
King Henry still reigns in Tennessee.
The other player deserves respect and needs no introduction. The Titans’ offense may have a big three, but running back Derrick Henry has long shown he can run the show on his own. The 6-3, 247-pound workhorse, often referred to as “King Henry,” is still going strong at 29 years old. Through eight games this season, Henry has 601 rushing yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He may no longer be at the level he was in 2019 or 2020 (3,567 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in 31 games), but he’s still a threat for defenses to prepare for game day and bounce back after a matchup. There is no difference.
Titans RB Derrick Henry – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“First and foremost, I’m happy for you and me. [aren’t] If you’re playing for the Buccaneers, say that,” Larry Foote said. “Good luck to those guys. This kind of challenge, hats off to the ball more. The guys are going to take it and love it. Those guys are excited. It’s a big challenge, great. If you’re a guy, they should be into it. You need Epsom salts and ice baths after the game, but that’s the fun of football. It’s a big challenge for us.”
To beat Henry, the Bucks defense will need to be hungry. He remains one of the top running backs in the league, and there’s no question the Titans will look to get him the ball often. He led the league in carries in three of the past four seasons and would have led the league in carries in all four seasons had he not had a season-ending injury in 2021.
“Just bring your lunch,” inside linebacker Devin White said. “You must be hungry. You have to attack him. Catch him before he catches you – that’s the mindset you have to have. Make every tackle and get the stats. We want to be productive, so this is a great opportunity to do that. We know he’s got the ball, so go get him.”
DeAndre Hopkins continues to be a lethal weapon for the Titans
Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is the last key playmaker the Bucs will try to neutralize. Since being drafted in 2013, Hopkins has long established himself as one of the best receivers of the past decade. He had six 1,000-yard seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times. If you thought he might be fading at age 31, think again.
Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Hopkins is looking to add to those categories, and already he and Will Levis look like a deadly combination. Cornerback Carlton Davis III, who scored three touchdowns against the Falcons in Week 8, will have a top priority for keeping him and the rest of the secondary from getting into a rhythm.
“He and the young quarterback have a good relationship,” Foote said. “He’s one of the best wide receivers in this league over the last 10 years. [It is] It’s a big challenge. He’s knowledgeable and a big deal. He gets a lot of targets. This is going to be a big challenge for our players and they are up for it. You want those matchups. ”
When talking to Zion McCollum, the word savvy was again used to describe DeAndre Hopkins’ style of play.
“I’ve been watching him since high school,” McCollum said. “He’s a great athlete, a really smart guy who likes to talk and gets inside DB’s head. You can see him chirping a lot in the movie. Just because he’s older doesn’t mean he’s lost a step. It’s not like I’m there. It’s nice to see him on tape and it’s going to be even more fun to play against him on Sunday.”
The trio of Will Revis, Derrick Henry, and DeAndre Hopkins combines youth with established star power. The Bucks’ defense will need to be fixed to limit their brilliance. problem In a big way. If not, it will be a brutal conquest on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
