Four Titans Weaknesses The Broncos Can Exploit In Week 6

The Denver Broncos managed to get their first win of the season last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was a good victory for the Broncos with multiple aspects of the team clicking, but they lacked consistency.

However, the Broncos attacked the Chargers' weaknesses in just the ways that I highlighted in my weekly pre-game article and unsurprisingly, it worked.

The Broncos rushed at the left side of the Chargers defense with success. Denver's defense took Keenan Allen out of the game and exposed the Chargers' lack of weapons.

While they didn’t get sacks, the Broncos put pressure on the offensive tackles, exposing what the Chargers had out there. Lastly, Denver exposed a Chargers secondary that was banged up and struggling.

With their first win under their belt, the Broncos need to start stacking wins and the Tennessee Titans are just the team to help them do it. While the Titans may sit at 2-3, they are a team with a lot of issues that the Broncos can exploit.

Once again, Denver will have to play a consistent game, but the Broncos can walk away with a win in this one. Here's how it happens.

1. Attack The LBs With TEs & RBs

While the Titans have a good defense, there is a noticeable weakness in their pass defense when it comes to tight ends and running backs. Teams had success moving the ball through the air when targeting TEs and RBs.

TE Lee Smith of the Buffalo Bills only caught one pass, but it was for a touchdown. Eric Ebron and James O’Shaughnessy combined for five catches on seven targets with two touchdowns.

There was a noticeable weakness when it came to running backs, especially. Frank Gore, Devonta Freeman, and T.J. Yeldon also had good games against the Titans defense. Those RBs were big for their teams when it came to moving the ball, especially between the 20’s.

2. Force Henry Between The Tackles

When it comes to running the ball, the Titans have a good, capable running back in Derrick Henry. While many view Henry as a strong between-the-tackles runner, he actually has slightly more success outside the tackles.

His best yards-per-carry average comes rushing outside the right tackle, where he averages 6.2 yards per clip. Between the tackles, Henry is averaging 3.0 and 3.1 yards per carry off the center and right guard.

Denver will need to watch it when he rushes off the left guard, where he averages 4.2 yards per carry. However, that is still better than what Henry is getting outside the tackles.

He also has a low success rate of 33% to 43% on rushes between the tackles. Denver can really slow him down by keeping him inside.

All bets are OFF on the Broncos' 2019 season! Don't miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!

3. Attack The Left Side Of The Front Seven

Flipping to the other side of the ball, against the Titans defense, there is a clear weakness when rushing off the center and right guard. Teams have averaged 5.4 yards behind the center and 10.4 behind the right guard.

Denver needs to pound the ball there to help soften up the Titans defense.

4. Make Marcus Mariota Play Quarterback

My colleague Josh Carney published a film breakdown on Marcus Mariota and the threat he presents. It's a great article and worth reading.

There are a few ways to slow down Mariota, and the easiest is by taking away his easy reads. Mariota thrives when his first read gets open quickly, and the Titans run an offense to help fabricate that with RPOs and play-action.

Mariota likes to attack the underneath and does a good job of it. Shutting that down and making him hold the ball will help the pass rushers. This is a team that has allowed 22 sacks and 38 total hits — a struggling offensive line, with the right guard being the weakest link of the unit.

The focus needs to be taking away Henry, and putting it all on Mariota's shoulders. He doesn’t do the best job under pressure, both from pass rushers and in the moment, and that could lead to big mistakes the Broncos defense can exploit.

Answering The Bell

Knowing what areas to attack the Titans is one thing, but what players/units do the Broncos need to utilize on both sides of the ball in order to exploit these areas? Here's the list.

Offense

Ron Leary, RG: The Titans are weak against the run on their defensive left, which puts the onus on Leary. Leary has struggled this season, and has been hit with six holding calls. Denver needs him to cut that out and pave the way for the running backs.

Noah Fant, TE: There is a big area to exploit against the Titans and that is with the tight ends. Fant has been getting better each game, and the Broncos need him to have a big performance this week.

Rich Scangarello, OC: The Broncos play-calling tends to get stale in the second half, and the offense becomes ineffective. There are few adjustments made, and it all starts from the top. It is his first year as a play-caller, and Denver needs Scangarello to call a complete game. If he was able to before, Denver may have more than one win already.

Defense

Shelby Harris, DE: He's playing at his natural position now, and had a solid game vs. the Chargers last week. However, the Broncos need Harris to play at an even higher level. Henry has success running outside the left tackle, and with Bradley Chubb gone, Denver needs Harris to help close down that lane. Denver also needs him to really provide interior pressure.

Derek Wolfe, DE: The right guard is a weak spot for the Titans offensive line, which means the Broncos need Wolfe to take advantage of it. It has been a bad year for Wolfe so far, so Denver really needs him to step it up. This is a favorable matchup for Wolfe, so there is added pressure for the veteran.

Justin Simmons, S: Simmons got the first takeaway for the Broncos this year, and if the defense can force Mariota to make tougher reads, Simmons can come away with more. Denver needs Simmons to play like he did against the Chargers and be in the proper position.

Follow Erick on Twitter @ErickTrickel and @MileHighHuddle.