In an interconference matchup, the Tennessee Titans travel to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Commanders this Sunday afternoon. The Titans recently secured a 32-27 victory against the Houston Texans, pulling off an impressive win as an eight-point underdog. Meanwhile, Washington suffered a 34-26 defeat at home against the Dallas Cowboys, falling short as an 11-point favorite. Historically, the Commanders hold an 8-6 advantage in their regular-season series against Tennessee; however, the Titans have claimed victory in the last two encounters, including a close 21-17 win on October 9, 2022.
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Who will emerge victorious in this thrilling matchup? Read on for an in-depth analysis of the Titans vs. Commanders!
Tennessee Aiming for a Significant Road Victory
The Titans faced a rough patch, losing five of their last six games before their recent triumph over Houston. With a record of 3-8, they currently sit in third place in the AFC South, trailing the Texans by 3.5 games. In the AFC playoff race, they are positioned 13th. The game against Houston was a rollercoaster, as Tennessee fell behind 7-0 just 18 seconds into the match. However, they rallied to take a 10-7 lead by the end of the first quarter and extended their advantage to 20-17 at halftime. Despite trailing again in the fourth quarter, the Titans closed out the game with a final surge, scoring the last nine points.
The Titans showcased a dominant performance in total offense, gaining 369 yards compared to Houston’s 260. They converted 19 first downs while allowing only 12 and maintained a time of possession advantage of 34:29 to 25:31. Despite three turnovers, including a pick-six, Tennessee’s defense managed to force two turnovers of their own.
The team’s passing game ranks 29th in the league, averaging 183.7 yards per game, while their rushing offense is 12th with 118.4 yards per game. The Titans have struggled offensively, ranking 28th in scoring with an average of 18.4 points per game and 27th in scoring defense, allowing 26.4 points. Will Levis, the starting quarterback, has completed 136 of 203 passes for 1,447 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Mason Rudolph backs him up with 76 completions for 806 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. The ground game is led by Tony Pollard, who has rushed for 800 yards and four touchdowns on 184 carries.
Tennessee’s injury report lists tackle Leroy Watson IV (back) and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (groin) as out. Tyjae Spears (concussion) is questionable, so updates will be crucial leading up to kickoff.
Commanders Seek to Reclaim Their Winning Form
The Commanders are eager to break their three-game losing streak, which has been marred by struggles on special teams, particularly in their recent game against the Cowboys. Washington’s record stands at 7-5, placing them second in the NFC East and holding onto the final wild card spot in the NFC playoff race. In their matchup against Dallas, Washington led early but ultimately fell apart in the fourth quarter, being outscored 24-17.
Despite outgaining Dallas in total offense with 412 yards to 332, Washington turned the ball over three times and had a time of possession deficit of 35:12 to 24:48. Each team recorded 19 first downs, but costly mistakes by the Commanders on special teams proved detrimental, including two kick returns for touchdowns and missed scoring opportunities.
The Commanders rank 14th in passing offense, averaging 222.8 yards per game, and 5th in rushing offense with 147.8 yards per contest. They are also 5th in scoring, putting up 27.8 points per game, while their defense ranks 17th, allowing 23.1 points per game. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has thrown for 2,613 yards, completing 227 of 332 passes with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also leads the rushing attack with 556 yards and five touchdowns on 99 carries. Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler provide additional support on the ground.
In terms of receiving, Terry McLaurin leads the team with 53 catches for 823 yards and seven touchdowns. Other key contributors include Zach Ertz, Noah Brown, and Olamide Zaccheaus, all surpassing 200 receiving yards this season. Kicking duties have been shared among Austin Seibert, Zane Gonzalez, and Cade York, with consistent performances on extra points and field goals.
Injuries are a concern for Washington, as Ekeler (concussion), defensive end Clelin Ferrell (knee/rest), and offensive lineman Andrew Wylie (concussion) missed practice. The status of cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Robinson (ankle) remains uncertain, with updates expected leading into the game.