Through The Spyglass: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Tennessee Titans

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back home after back-to-back road games to take on the Tennessee Titans. Both teams sit at 3-5 and are desperate for a win to stay alive in the playoff chase. The Bucs cannot afford to lose another game if they want to remain in the running for the NFC South divisional crown.

In this weekly article, BucsGameday will preview the upcoming opponent. We’ll break down their prior season, the moves they’ve made this year, and the top players to watch on the offense and defense to give you insight into what to expect on game day.

Matchup History

The last time these two teams met was pre “Tom Brady” in 2019 with the Buccaneers suffering a 27-23 defeat. They have played each other just 12 times since 1976 back when the Titans were the Oilers, with the franchise leading the Bucs with 10 wins to just two losses. Tennessee are the winners of the last three meetings with Tampa Bay’s last win coming in 2007.

Looking Back At 2022

The year prior to the 2022 season the Titans went 12-5 and after a 7-3 jump to the season Tennessee fell apart last year. Prior to the season during the draft they traded away their top Wide Receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles in return for a first round draft pick. They used that pick on wideout Treylon Burks who failed to make an impact his rookie year. Starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill ended the year on injured reserve and the Titans lost seven straight games to end the season. The Titans missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

What’s New In 2023

The Titans made several changes in 2023 to their coaching staff and organization. Ron Carthon was brought in as general manager from the 49ers and the team fired offensive coordinator Todd Downing. In his place, they promoted Quarterbacks coach Tim Kelly. They added wide receiver Deandre Hopkins in free agency as well as pass rusher Arden Key, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, and former Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. They spent a first-round pick on the offensive line selecting Peter Skronski and traded up for Will Levis in the second round, who is now their starting quarterback. They also took playmaking Tyjae Spears to add to their running back room.

Top Players On Offense

RB Derrick Henry

Henry remains one of the NFL’s premiere running backs in the league. His combination of size and strength makes him difficult to tackle. Henry’s vision and patience allow him to find the right running lanes and he constantly churns out big gains due to it. While he is not the fastest back his speed and agility for his size is noticeable and his ability to break the long one at any time makes him a game-changer.

WR DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins is a bit older in the tooth but is still a dynamic receiver. He’s never been a guy with top speed and separation but his route running, body control and hands make him a dangerous weapon in the passing game. Hopkins has seen everything the defense will throw at him and uses his football IQ to find soft spots in the defense. He’s Levis’ go-to option and can still beat you for a big play.

QB Will Levis

It’s weird to put Levis here after just eight quarters of football, but that’s how devoid of talent this Titans team is. Maybe you could make a case for rookie running back Tyjae Spears but I digress. Levis, the new starting quarterback, has a big arm to make all the throws as was on display in their win against the Falcons. He has good mobility to extend plays with his legs either escaping the pocket to buy time or turn it upfield to pick up yards. He has shown sound decision-making as he continues to grow as an nfl quarterback.

Top Players On Defense

DL Jeffrey Simmons

Simmons is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. A true game wrecker, he has the size, strength, and agility to blow up backfields. He plays with sound technique and a relentless motor and intensity from whistle to whistle. He is dominant on the field and is one of the few defensive tackles in the league teams that need to game plan around.

DE Denico Autry

Pairing with Simmons, Autry uses a quick first step to generate pressure on the quarterback. A versatile chess piece head coach Mike Vrabel uses him in a variety of ways on the exterior and interior given the circumstance. He’s equally stout, setting the edge as a run defender to go with his five sacks when turned loose in the backfield. Autry is a disruptive force in the trenches that teams need to know where he is on the field at all times.

S Amani Hooker

While a case can be made for linebacker Al-Shaair, Hooker has been as consistent as they come in the defensive backfield. He has one of two interceptions on the team and brings a physicality that’s not afraid to mix it up with bigger opponents in the run game. His coverage skills and tackling stand out when watching Hooker play with sound technique and great instincts and awareness.

Final Thoughts

The Titans missed the playoffs last year after making it to the dance in four straight years. That is the main focus for the Vrabel led team. Sitting at 3-5 they are in need of a win as much as the Bucs. With a new leader on offense in Levis, Tennessee is hoping they found their quarterback of the future while over $100 million in cap space waits for them in the offseason to upgrade their team for 2024.

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage, news and analysis throughout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 season.

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