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The Extra Point

Titans have real chance to upset Ravens

Chris Siers
Posted 1/10/20

If one thing has been proven over the last 10 or so weeks, it’s the Titans are a team that nobody should want to play with the season on the line. Since benching Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill has orchestrated perhaps one of the greatest career resurrections in the history of the league...

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The Extra Point

Titans have real chance to upset Ravens

Posted

If one thing has been proven over the last 10 or so weeks, it’s the Titans are a team that nobody should want to play with the season on the line.

Since benching Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill has orchestrated perhaps one of the greatest career resurrections in the history of the league.

Not only are the Titans in the midst of the best playoff run since the XXXIV appearance, but they’re just two wins away from another Super Bowl berth.

Last week, Derrick Henry did what Derrick Henry has done for the better part of the season.

Henry was an absolute bulldozer for the Titans in Foxborough, rushing 34 times for 182 yards and a touchdown.

With that type of contribution on the ground, the Titans are able to control the clock and choose whatever tempo the Titans want.

That luxury will be key as the Titans take on the No. 1 seed Baltimore Ravens.

With the Titans apparently peaking at the right time, this will undoubtedly be the ultimate test for what’s been a rag tag team that has finally come together.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has also been on top of his game, having thrown for over 2,700 yards and 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

A large part of that increased contribution could be from an inspired offensive line play, led by Taylor Lewan.

With the line finally playing like one of the highest paid in the NFL, the production from Henry and Tannehill speaks volumes for a team hungry for an upset.

The Ravens didn’t get to be the top AFC team by accident, however.

Lamar Jackson is making history before our very eyes.

Baltimore has just two hiccups on the season—an inexplicable loss to the Browns and a dogfight loss to the Chiefs.

Since then, there’s not been a better team in the AFC or NFC.

After the last loss, the Ravens have scored 40 points four times and at least 30 points six times.

This offense is humming.

While all eyes will be on the Titans’ trying to bottle up Lamar Jackson and his uncanny dual threat, Mark Ingram will be key for Dean Pees.

Ingram, like Jackson, has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season, but was listed as “Questionable” for Saturday’s AFC Divisional playoff game.

If Ingram isn’t able to go full tilt in the manner that led him to the 1,000 yard barrier, the Titans will have one less weapon to account for on defense, which will allow more containment options on Jackson.

This will be key on Saturday.

But, like they say, defense wins championships and right now, the Titans undoubtedly have one of, if not the best remaining defense in the postseason.

If the Titans are able to focus on Jackson and maintain control of the time of possession, the Titans may very well have their second upset in a row.

Kickoff is set for 7:15 on Saturday evening.

Chris Siers is sports editor of the Times-Gazette.