The Tennessee Titans will head on the road to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL Preseason showdown. The two teams did not play during the 2020 season after their preseason game was cancelled.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their first preseason game 19-14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but their starters did not play much. Bruce Arians confirmed earlier this week that the same will most likely be true for this game. With Tom Brady on clipboard duties, backup Blaine Gabbert will get many of the reps. He was 6-11 for 64 yards in their last game. Ke’Shawn Vaughn got the bulk of the carries but was only able to muster 27 yards on 11 carries. It will be interesting to see how many snaps rookie Kyle Trask gets; he was just 4/15 for 35 yards in his first NFL action. Defensively the first team did not allow any points, and they looked solid throughout the game. They forced 2 turnovers but had no sacks.
The Tennessee Titans came away with a 23-3 victory last week against the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan Tannehill did not play, with Logan Woodside getting the most work. He was 10/15 for 84 yards and a TD. Matt Barkley also played and went 5/8 for 54 yards and a TD. The Titans stayed true to form, running the ball 37 times in the game for a total of 138 yards. Mekhi Sargent led the way with 16 carries for 58 yards. On defense the Titans were able to shut down the Falcons reserve offense. They got to the quarterback early and often, resulting in 5 sacks and an interception in the game. Fourth-round pick Rashad Weaver was a force, contributing with 1.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits.
The Over is 6-1 in the Titans last seven road games and 6-1 in their last seven as an underdog.
The Buccaneers are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games, and 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 Saturday games.
With both teams likely relying on their reserves for all but potentially the first few drives, this will be a stylistic matchup. The Titans ground and pound attack bodes well in these early preseason games, as the passing attack does not yet have that midseason rhythm. The Buccaneers could not get it done on the ground without their starters in game one and they had a tough time shutting down the Bengals, allowing 118 yards on 35 carries. Give me the Titans to get it done as the road dogs.