Top 3 keys to victory for Tennessee Titans vs New York Giants in Week 1

QB Ryan Tannehill needs to move the chains early in the game

After a stellar first two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, starting QB Ryan Tannehill regressed markedly in his third season with the team. The former Texas A&M star threw more interceptions in 2021 (14) than he did in 2019 and 2020 combined (13). He also nearly had a career low in passing yards per game.

All of that, combined with a poor playoff performance, has given fans reason to start doubting if Tannehill is the guy to get the Tennessee Titans over the playoff hump and into an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl.

Getting off to a good start against the Giants will not only allow Tannehill to quiet his critics a little bit but also strengthen his confidence. Tannehill will shake off those cobwebs and ignite that fire inside of him in his first game since the abysmal playoff game against Cincinnati.

Things will be challenging for him, especially with two new offensive linemen blocking for him and a retooled receiving corps (more on that in a minute).

Nicholas Petit-Frere, a 2022 third-round selection out of Ohio State, is starting at right tackle and Aaron Brewer is starting in the left guard spot after Rodger Saffold left and signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent this past offseason.

These two men are going to be responsible for buying Tannehill enough time to let plays develop and hit his targets. Head Coach Mike Vrabel is expecting this offensive line to reduce the number of sacks the 34-year-old quarterback takes this season, after enduring 47 sacks in 2021.