Eagles vs. Titans: Six under-the-radar players for Tennessee to watch
· Yahoo Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles travel to Nashville this weekend as road favorites. They're looking to improve to 2-0, but they would be wise not to overlook a Tennessee Titans team eager to rebound from a disappointing Week 1 loss. The Titans managed only 10 points against the New York Jets and left plenty of questions unanswered on both sides of the ball.
Everyone knows the headline names. Cam Ward remains Tennessee's quarterback of the future, for now. Tony Pollard leads the backfield. Jeffery Simmons continues to anchor the defensive front. Those are the Titans players most fans think about immediately. Now, let's talk about some names fans may not.
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NFL games are rarely decided by stars alone. More often than not, a lesser-discussed contributor makes a timely play, wins an unexpected matchup, or capitalizes on an opportunity when nobody is paying attention. Here are six Titans who could become important factors in Week 2. The Eagles have undoubtedly discussed these players throughout the week, so it seems fitting to mention them.
Cody Barton, linebacker
Anthony Hill Jr. deservedly grabbed headlines after posting a team-high 16 tackles in Tennessee's season opener. That performance may have caused some fans to overlook Cody Barton, but the veteran linebacker remains an important piece of the Titans' defense. As a matter of fact. he's currently their starting MIKE (middle) linebacker.
Barton was brought to Tennessee to provide leadership and stability in the middle of the defense. One week won't change that. At the same time, veterans understand how quickly roles can shift when younger teammates start building momentum.
Philadelphia's offense will challenge Tennessee with a balanced attack and plenty of pre-snap movement. Barton will be heavily involved in communicating adjustments and helping the Titans stay organized. His impact may not dominate the box score, but it could still influence the outcome.
Austin Schlottmann, center
The Titans brought Austin Schlottmann to Tennessee in part because of his familiarity with Brian Daboll's offensive system. Unfortunately, his debut didn't go as planned. Tennessee struggled to establish consistency up front against the Jets, and Schlottmann battled interior pressure throughout the afternoon.
The Eagles will undoubtedly try to create similar problems with Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and the rest of Philadelphia's defensive front. The Titans know Cam Ward is still developing. One of the best ways to help a young quarterback is to run the football effectively and keep him out of obvious passing situations. That starts with better play from the center position. We'll soon know if Schlottmann is the elixir.
Jermaine Johnson II, edge rusher
Jermaine Johnson II's journey to Nashville doubles as a reunion with Robert Saleh. They were together in New York, making Johnson one of the Titans' more intriguing additions.
The former first-round pick has the athleticism to create problems for any offense. The challenge this week is obvious. He could spend much of Sunday lined up across from Lane Johnson, one of the NFL's premier right tackles.
That's a matchup worthy of attention on its own. If Tennessee hopes to generate consistent pressure against Jalen Hurts, Johnson will likely need to win more than his share of those battles.
Oluwafemi Oladejo, edge rusher
Not every productive performance receives national attention. Oluwafemi Oladejo didn't enter Week 1 as one of Tennessee's most discussed defenders on a national stage. Still, he looked active whenever he was on the field and was one of their best defenders.
The Titans continue searching for pass-rush depth that can complement their starters. Players who consistently play with energy and physicality tend to earn larger roles as the season progresses. Philadelphia's offensive line has heard criticism following the opener. If Oladejo continues building on his encouraging debut, he could become one of the more surprising names Eagles fans hear Sunday afternoon.
Calvin Ridley, wide receiver
It feels strange calling Calvin Ridley a lesser-mentioned threat because there was a time when he ranked among the NFL's most exciting young receivers. The reality is that Ridley has become something of an afterthought nationally. Not recording a catch in Week 1 certainly didn't help change that perception. Many casual fans probably don't realize he now calls Tennessee home.
That doesn't mean the talent disappeared. The Eagles would be wise to remember that. One successful afternoon can quickly change a narrative, and Ridley still possesses enough ability to punish defenses that lose track of him.
Marcus Harris and Alontae Taylor, cornerbacks
Cornerbacks are often judged by passes defended and interceptions, but Tennessee's starting duo showed another valuable trait in Week 1. Marcus Harris and Alontae Taylor combined for 13 tackles against the Jets, demonstrating a willingness to support the run and finish plays in space.
That physical style can matter especially against an offense that wants to create yards after the catch and generate explosive plays. The Eagles will test Tennessee's secondary throughout the afternoon. If Harris and Taylor keep playing with the same aggressiveness they showed in Week 1, they could quietly become important pieces of the Titans' defensive game plan.
Final thought
Week 2 storylines tend to focus on quarterbacks, stars, and marquee matchups. That's understandable. Those players often determine whether teams win or lose.
At the same time, every game features contributors who operate slightly outside the spotlight. Barton, Schlottmann, Johnson, Oladejo, Ridley, Harris, and Taylor may not generate the same attention as Tennessee's biggest names, but that doesn't make them any less important.
The Eagles know stopping the Titans starts with containing the obvious threats. Preventing these lesser-mentioned players from becoming major storylines could be just as important to leaving Nashville with a victory.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles vs. Titans: Six under-the-radar players for Tennessee to watch