Titans

Def/Spec Team

Ryan Tannehill and Cody Kessler were victims of the Tennessee pass rush over the last two weeks and Luck is on deck for the Titans. Tennessee is currently fifth among NFL defenses in sacks this season, and the Titans D/ST is a top streaming target for fantasy owners in Week 7. As an added bonus, the Titans host Blake Bortles and Jacksonville in Week 8.

Pressuring the opposing quarterback has been a point of emphasis from coach Mike Mularkey this week for the Titans. “If you want to look at teams that get sacks and don’t, you’ll look at the win-loss column. That ratio is definitely a factor in the outcome of the game,” Mularkey said. The Nashville Tennessean notes that the Titans averaged 3.33 sacks per game in wins last season and only 2.23 sacks in losses. The Titans D/ST will be off the fantasy radar in Week 2 at Detroit.

Morgan has 5.5 sacks during the streak, one short of his career high, and has boosted the Tennessee pass rush that is third in the NFL in sacks. Despite pressuring opposing quarterbacks, the Titans D/ST won’t be a recommended fantasy option in Week 9 at San Diego after failing to make a fantasy impact in three-straight soft home matchups in Weeks 6-8.

Tennessee has quietly been solid on the defensive side of the football and will look to build upon a solid Week 5 performance when they host Cleveland in Week 6. The Browns are a mess at the quarterback position and will likely start banged up rookie QB Cody Kessler on Sunday, making the Titans D/ST a prime streaming candidate. The Tennessee D/ST is currently owned in just 10 percent of Yahoo leagues.

The Titans currently own the NFL’s second-worst pass defense, coughing up 275 passing yards per game, and have been shredded by the likes of Trevor Siemian and Matt Barkley in recent weeks. The Titans D/ST has scored just 2.7 fantasy points per game in their last three road contests and will be a mid-range fantasy option at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15.

Jay Cutler (shoulder) is doubtful, making Barkley the third different starting quarterback in Chicago this season. Barkley’s only other game action in Chicago came in Week 7, when he completed six of 15 passes and threw a pair of interceptions. The Bears depth chart has been hammered by injuries and suspensions, making the Titans D/ST a top-tier streaming option in Week 12.

The Titans have had surprising success against the pass in 2015, allowing just 194.7 yards per game through the air, good for fifth best in the NFL. The Tennessee defense has also allowed the lowest opponent completion percentage this season, giving up completions on just 53.8 percent of opposing pass attempts. A home date with Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills is on the schedule for the Titans D/ST after the bye.

The Titans allowed Alex Smith to connect with his two favorite targets as both Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce hauled in touchdown catches early in the game. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said, “We knew it would be tough coming in here and I think we just made too many mistakes early.” The Titans D/ST can be avoided in fantasy drafts and despite facing a rookie quarterback in Jameis Winston, will not be recommended for use in Week 1 as the Titans travel to Tampa Bay.

Manziel tossed one interception and lost two fumbles in Week 1 after taking over for the injured Josh McCown, so the potential for turnover production from the Titans defense is present this week. Fantasy owners without top Week 2 D/ST options can look to stream the Tennessee defense in anticipation of this matchup. After beginning the season facing Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel, Andrew Luck visits Tennessee in Week 3 and will present much more fierce opposition.

Orakpo told the Nashville Tennessean, "...Other teams have had some success, so we have to see what works to actually get to him. Hopefully we can emulate that come our game and have some success getting him down.” Winston was sacked seven times during the preseason and pressure from the Titans defense would be key in disrupting the young quarterback. The Titans D/ST is a mid-range Week 1 fantasy option.