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Tennessee Titans Week 9 Analysis

November 2, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

What a difference a quarterback switch can make. Proving that he might not be pretty but he wins game, Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young has won two of three games since taking over as the starter in Week 5. The only loss came to the undefeated Indianapolis Colts (7-0) in a game they were leading until the final five minutes. The Titans (2-5) are now looking at a three-game winning streak but will have to get through the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) in order to do so.

The Jaguars followed up a shocking 27-7 loss to the Houston Texans (2-5) with a Week 8 win over the Philadelphia Eagles (4-4). It will be a tough test for the Titans but they have played undefeated football over the past three weeks (five minutes of the Colts game aside), and it is looking like the youngest team in the American Football Conference is starting to adapt to life in the National Football League. Without further ado, on to the breakdown.

PASSING MATCH-UP: QUARTERBACKS

As stated above, Young might not be winning any statistical battles; however, he is winning games for a young Titans team. Last week, Young only had 87 passing yards and one passing touchdown, but he also ran for 44 yards and one touchdown. He isn't a running quarterback in the mold of the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick, but more similar to a young Baltimore Ravens' Steve McNair. Over the past four weeks (three games), Young is averaging 104 passing yards, 0.67 passing touchdowns and 0.33 interceptions. He is also averaging 32 rushing yards and 0.67 rushing touchdowns per game over that period. Because of his ability as a dual threat, Young is gaining some fantasy value and he should be viewed as a Bye-week or injury replacement, although he is a weak play.

The Jaguars have been tough on opposing quarterbacks, allowing only 152 passing yards, 0.67 passing touchdowns and one interception per game over the past four weeks (three games).

RUSHING MATCH-UP: RUNNING BACKS

Running back Travis Henry finally came back down to earth last week as he had only 29 rushing yards on 15 carries against a weak Texans defense. Against the Jaguars this week, it'll be even tougher for him to pick up the yards. Over the past four weeks (three games), Henry is averaging 110 rushing yards and 0.33 rushing touchdowns per game. He is being utilized 24 times per game (42 percent) over the past four weeks (three games), which includes two times in the red zone (29 percent) and 0.33 times inside the 5 per game. Henry featured in one game last season against the Jaguars, rushing for 48 yards on 13 carries. Henry rates as a weak play this week as a solid No. 2 running back.

The only other Titans running back worth playing this week is LenDale White. The first-year back out of the University of Southern California was the team's top running back last week, rushing for 35 yards on seven carries. Over the past four weeks (two games), he is averaging 42 rushing yards on 7.5 carries per game in that period. He is being utilized on 9.5 plays per game (11 percent), although none of those are coming in the red zone. White is a weak play this week, and he is just an injury replacement at the position; otherwise bench him.

Running back Chris Brown appears to be in head coach Jeff Fisher's doghouse as he was declared inactive last week. He has only played in one game over the past four weeks, and in that game he ran for six yards on three attempts (1.8 percent of the utilizations in the last three weeks). This week Brown is a weak play and should be benched.

Running back Ahmard Hall has no rushing attempts and only has two receptions for six yards (two utilizations, 1.2 percent) over the past four weeks (three games). He should be benched.

Jacksonville is allowing only 91 rushing yards, 0.33 rushing touchdowns and 45 receiving yards per game to the position over the past four weeks (three games).

RECEIVING MATCH-UP PART I: WIDE RECEIVERS

Despite winning their last two games, the passing game has been nonexistent. Wide receiver Drew Bennett comes ranked as the top wide receiver on the Titans, although that is not saying much. Over the past four weeks (three games), Bennett is averaging only 28 receiving yards on 1.33 receptions per game. He is only being targeted on 4.67 plays per game (8.3 percent), with 0.33 per game in the red zone (4.8 percent). Yes, those are the numbers for the Titans' supposed No. 1 receiver. He did play in two games against the Jaguars last year, although he only averaged 32 receiving yards per game in two games. He comes recommended as an injury or Bye-week replacement at the position this week. He is also considered a weak play.

Wide receiver Brandon Jones is averaging 25 receiving yards and 0.33 receiving touchdowns over the past four weeks (three games). He is being targeted on 4.33 plays per game (7.7 percent), including 0.33 in the red zone (4.8 percent) and 0.33 inside the 5 per game. With the poor numbers and weak receiving game, Jones is a weak play. He does not come recommended this week and he should be benched.

Wide receiver Bobby Wade caught one touchdown pass from Young last week; however, over the past four weeks (three games) he is averaging only 22 receiving yards and three targets per game (5.3 percent). Of those targets, 0.67 per game have come in the red zone (9.6 percent). Those are not the numbers of a fantasy starter this week. He is a weak play and he should be benched in Week 9.

The Jaguars have been one of the best teams against opposing wide receivers since Week 5, allowing only 96 receiving yards and 0.33 receiving touchdowns per game to the position in that time.

RECEIVING MATCH-UP PART II: TIGHT ENDS

Tight ends Bo Scaife has struggled the past four weeks (three games). Scaife is averaging just seven receiving yards and 3.33 targets per game (5.9 percent), including 0.67 per game in the red zone (9.6 percent), over that period. Scaife is a weak play this week and should be benched.

Tight end Ben Troupe has also struggled the past four weeks (three games). Troupe is averaging 4.67 receiving yards and 2.67 targets per game (3.7 percent), including 0.67 per game in the red zone (9.6 percent), over that period. Troupe is a weak play this week and should be benched.

Opposing tight ends are averaging only 12 receiving yards and 0.33 receiving touchdowns per game over the past four weeks (three games) against Jacksonville.

KICKING MATCH-UP: PLACE KICKERS

Despite the Titans' struggles on offense, place kicker Rob Bironas still ranks in the middle of the pack for place kickers in terms of fantasy value. Over the past four weeks (three games), he is averaging 2.33 extra point attempts and 1.67 field goal attempts per game. He has also connected on each one of those attempts. This week he comes ranked as weak play as a low-end No. 1 or Bye-week replacement kicker.

The Jaguars are allowing one extra point attempt and 1.67 field attempts per game to this position over the past four weeks (three games).

DEFENSIVE MATCH-UP

The Titans defense started off well but then allowed Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels to pick them apart to the tune of 19 points over the last 23 minutes of the game. Over the past four weeks (three games), the Titans are allowing just 19 offensive points, 215 passing yards and 142 rushing yards per game. They are also averaging 1.33 sacks, 1.33 interceptions and 1.67 fumble recoveries per game in that same period. This week, the defense comes ranked as a weak play as a No. 1 or Bye-week replacement defense.

The Jaguars will not say that they have a quarterback controversy this week, but head coach Jack Del Rio has not named a starter so that the Titans won't know for whom to prepare. Quarterback David Garrard started last week and got the win; however, regular starter Byron Leftwich (ankle) has said he is healthy this week and could play. Either way, over the past four weeks (three games), the Jaguars offense is averaging 117 passing yards, 164 rushing yards and 20 points per game. They are also allowing one sack and one fumble recovery per game in that time.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.