The Tennessee Titans (0-1) will host the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0) this Sunday at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The teams will kick off at 12:00 p.m. CDT.
Last week, the Titans fell to the New York Jets in a disappointing opener for the entire organization, with deficiencies showing up on both sides of the ball. Tennessee must improve by leaps and bounds this week if they even want to compete.
The Eagles opened their season with a win over the Washington Commanders, and they'll want to continue that when they come to Nashville on Sunday.
Ahead of their meeting, we sat down with Eagles Wire Managing Editor Glenn Erby and picked his brain in this week's edition of Behind Enemy Lines.
With Landon Dickerson out and Drew Kendall making his first start, will there be adjustments to protect against Jeffery Simmons causing issues in the interior of the offensive line?
The Eagles will not completely change their offense for
one defender, but Sean Mannion must account for Jeffery Simmons on every critical down. Drew Kendall is expected to make his first start for Philadelphia, and he could get early help through double teams, sliding protections up front, and quicker throws.
Kendall is not an inexperienced prospect. He started 37 games at Boston College and earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2024. He also played 89 offensive snaps as a rookie. Still, facing Simmons in his first Eagles start represents a significant jump in difficulty.
Cam Jurgens will help Kendall identify Tennessee’s defensive fronts and pressure packages. Philadelphia can also use Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts on designed runs to keep Simmons from aggressively attacking upfield or the same spot all game. The Eagles cannot allow Simmons to wreck the game from the opening drive, but consistent double teams would create opportunities for Tennessee’s other defensive linemen.
Are the injuries to Cooper DeJean, Jalen Carter and Jonathan Greenard serious, and will they play against the Titans?
As of Thursday, none of the three injuries appeared to be viewed as a long-term concern, and all three should play.
Cooper DeJean was dealing with calf and abdominal injuries after getting banged up against Washington. Jalen Carter was practicing with a wrist injury, and the expectation was that he would attempt to play with additional protection around the wrist. Jonathan Greenard continued working his way back from the pectoral injury that kept him out of the opener, and he stated multiple times on Thursday that he was "close."
DeJean and Carter appeared to have a better chance of playing than Greenard, but the final injury report will provide the clearest answer.
How has the loss of former Titans wideout A.J. Brown impacted the Eagles’ offense this season, and who has become the go-to receiver?
The Eagles cannot replace everything A.J. Brown provided with one player. Brown demanded safety help over the top, beat physical coverage, and gave Hurts a dependable target in tough situations. Philadelphia has responded by taking something from the Packers scheme and spreading those responsibilities and touches throughout the offense.
DeVonta Smith remains the Eagles’ top receiver and Hurts' primary option. However, Week 1 showed how Sean Mannion wants this offense to function. Dallas Goedert caught four passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns, while Dontayvion Wicks produced 73 yards and a score on two receptions. Barkley and rookie Makai Lemon were also involved.
The offense is more collective without Brown. Smith is still the receiver defenses must respect most, but Hurts no longer has to force-feed the football to one dominant target. The potential benefit is a less predictable passing game. The unanswered question is who wins consistently when Philadelphia needs a completion, and the defense knows where the ball must go.
Jeffery Simmons says Tennessee must keep Hurts in the pocket. Is that a valid approach, or has Hurts turned the corner as a passer?
Keeping Hurts in the pocket is a valid goal, but calling it a plan to force him to be a quarterback understates how much he has developed as a passer, and it's disrespectful considering what Hurts did the last time these two teams met.
Hurts completed 14 of 25 passes for 203 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions against Washington. He finished with a 122.2 passer rating and delivered several of his best throws from inside the pocket. He also kept Philadelphia’s decisive drive alive with a 22-yard scramble on third-and-18, which illustrates the dilemma facing Tennessee.
The Titans cannot rush recklessly and give Hurts escape lanes, but simply keeping him between the tackles does not begin to solve the problem. He has improved at recognizing coverage, working through progressions, and protecting the football.
Again, Tennessee should remember what happened the last time Hurts faced the Titans. He completed 29 of 39 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground in Philadelphia’s 35-10 victory in 2022. Simmons’ approach is understandable, but Hurts has already shown he can beat Tennessee from the pocket.
Who is an under-the-radar Eagle Titans fans should watch, and what is your final prediction?
Dontayvion Wicks is the emerging under-the-radar player Tennessee fans should watch.
Wicks earned a starting role during training camp because he can separate, line up at multiple receiver positions, and threaten defenses with YAC after the reception. He caught only two passes against Washington, but they produced 73 yards and a touchdown. His 64-yard reception showed how quickly he can change field position, while his nine-yard score demonstrated the timing he has developed with Hurts.
Tennessee will devote considerable attention to Smith, Barkley and Goedert. That could leave Wicks matched against a third cornerback or isolated within favorable coverage. If the Titans become too aggressive against the run, Philadelphia can use play-action to create opportunities for him behind the linebackers.
Tennessee’s defensive front can make this uncomfortable, particularly with Dickerson unavailable. The Eagles should still have significant advantages at quarterback, receiver, and throughout their defense. Ward will make some plays, but Philadelphia’s pass rush should create enough pressure to keep the Titans from sustaining drives consistently.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Titans 13.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Behind enemy lines Week 2
