Some may have balked. Some might have rolled their eyes and scoffed.

Time for Titans Receivers to Hit Their Stride If fans would have been told the Titans 2018 offense would be without Delanie Walker and Rishard Matthews Customized Tennessee Titans Jerseys , what would the reaction have been?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, 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 www.authenticstennesseetitans.com , 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. The Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens rivalry has roots of a deep-seeded hatred. The two had many historic and season defining battles throughout both franchises’ history. Sunday’s match up will have major implications in determining how the AFC shakes up by January. Home Field AdvantageThe Titans have struggled to pack Nissan Stadium in the way they would like. The team had some momentum following a phenomenal overtime thriller against Philly, but some fans who watched the Buffalo game may elect to stay home.
Hopefully, that’s not the case.The Titans have posted a 13-5 record when hosting their opponent. Of the last 11 home games Tennessee is 9-2 and have won their last three. The Los Angeles Rams were the last team to defeat the Titans at home. Tennessee nearly sent the Rams home with a loss Tennessee Titans T-Shirt , but ended up losing by four late.Baltimore is 1-2 on the road this season with both losses coming at the hands of AFC North opponents. The Ravens are 5-6 on the road dating back to last season. Baltimore traveled to Tennessee last year and left with a loss.The Titans are hoping the home field advantage will play in their favor.FlaccoRavens QB Joe Flacco is an interesting player. One week he is setting the world on fire and the next he is Blake Bortles-esque. When Flacco has time, he can exploit defenses and make chunk plays through the air. If he isn’t rushed or moved off his spot, he can lead his team to 30+ points per game. With pressure in his face, Flacco is completely the opposite.The Titans defense must rebound from their inability to attack Buffalo’s Josh Allen and focus their efforts on being absolute nuisances Sunday. A frantic Flacco is the quarterback the Titans want to see. Jurrell Casey’s ability to press and collapse the interior will be tested when he’s lined up against Raven guard Marshal Yanda.The defensive front’s ability to rush the passer will be critical for the Titans defense. DC Dean Pees is familiar with Flacco’s tendencies - but the reverse is true, also.Pees will shuffle personnel to confuse or bait Flacco into making some throws he may be fooled into thinking are there. If the defense can capitalize, Baltimore’s offense could struggle. Defensively Tennessee Titans Hats , the Titans will be thin at the inside linebacker group. Will Compton is out and Wesley Woodyard is questionable. Two veterans at that position watching from the sidelines is not ideal - especially when making the on field adjustments and getting guys in their proper spots.Jayon Brown has been solid and Rashaan Evans is clearly working through his preseason reps. Evans physical ability has popped, but his rookie tendencies also have been noticeable. Inexperience at the inside linebacker position is something the Ravens offense will aim to exploit. They have capable running backs who will try to do damage from the inside out. If Baltimore finds a soft spot in the middle of the defense, expect it to be attacked. Targeting tight ends on linebacker mismatches will also be something Pees must prepare for. LaFleur’s Game PlanOC Matt LaFleur’s brilliance flashed over the first four weeks of the season. Against Buffalo, the Titans offense puttered and couldn’t seem to establish a plan of attack either on the ground or through the air.Drops have been a problem and there isn’t much LaFleur can do about that. The Ravens Michael Crabtree also dropped a potential game winner similar to Nick Williams. Yes - drops happen and most if not all are costly one way or another. However, if drops continue for this Titans team the offense can’t evolve.The Titans are rolling the dice on the same group of talent at receiver and tight end this week. If Corey Davis is the central focus of Baltimore’s defense, the Titans will need production from other pass catchers. Taylor Lewan left the game early last week. If he can return to form Tennessee Titans Hoodie , the Titans can try to run the football to more than just one side. Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis have to have an impact. It will be essential to formulating any type of attack through the air.It will be interesting to see how both LaFleur and Pees adjust their game plans for the Ravens.