Marcus Mariota sparks excitement for a Titan’s team with little to cheer about over the last few seasons, but he doesn’t figure to get too much time under center here. Still, the Titans have had the Falcons’ number in preseason’s past.
ODDS ANALYSIS
These two teams played each of the last two preseasons with the Titans winning each time, taking the game last season 24-17 and the previous year 27-16.
Playing their first game in the Georgia Dome, the Falcons have the edge, but considering their injuries in the backfield and struggles against the Titans in the past, the line could push more in the Titans’ favor, but with the Falcons looking to make a statement under new coaches, the spread may go even more in Atlanta’s favor.
QUARTERBACK ROTATION
Matt Ryan is a solid and established quarterback, something the Titans don’t have, however, he will not see many snaps in Week 1. Instead, look for more of T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree at quarterback.
Yates got a few starts for the Texans in 2011 thanks to injuries, completing 61.2% of his passes and throwing three touchdowns in six games—including five starts. Since then, Yates has only played in eight games going 22 for 36 with four interceptions and no touchdowns. Renfree, meanwhile, hasn’t seen any regular season action.
Last preseason, Yates was 20 for 49 with a pair of interceptions while Renfree was a bit better, going 24 for 47 with a touchdown.
In the visiting locker room, Marcus Mariota will get his first looks as the Titan’s starting quarterback. The college star is rough around the edges, but gets the nod over Zach Mettenberger.
As a rookie, Mariota figures to get a few snaps before Mettenberger and Charlie Whitehurst get time.
Both Mettenberger and Whitehurst got a fair number of starts for the Titans last year. Whitehurst appeared in seven games, posting a 87.4 passer rating and collecting 1,326 yards while completing 56.9% of his passes. Mettenberger saw time in seven games as well, making six starts, and completing 59.8% of his passes with eight touchdowns, though he did throw seven interceptions.
COACHES' MOTIVATION
The Falcons and Titans will meet again in the regular season in Week 7, so it’s unlikely either coach will be eager to show their hand on Friday. Fortunately for both, however, it’s just Week 1 of the preseason and second and third string players are likely to dominate the box score.
Even with their Week 7 matchup, Dan Quinn is likely to show the Titans at least a little something on Friday as he looks to make a splash as a first time head coach.
On the other side, Ken Whisenhunt is a bit more established. Of course, he did push hard last season going 2-2 in the preseason before posting an awful 2-14 record in the regular season. After such a poor showing, he does have something to prove himself.
QUOTE TO NOTE
While not tipping his hand about the preseason plan for the team, Quinn did say how excited he was for the fans to get to see his team in action, saying:
“I can’t wait for our team to feed off (the fan’s) energy down at the Dome. Coming off the ball, both sides and how loud it can be.”
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH
The running game should be interesting to watch for both teams. The Falcons’ have an open competition at running back, but their top guns are on the shelf for this game.
On the other side, Bishop Sankey established himself as the lead runner for Tennessee last year, but his size and middling production—with no more than 61 yards in any game—makes him anything but a lock.
Tennessee is likely to take a look at Sankey, along with rookie David Cobb and change of pace back Dexter McCluster to get a handle on the best way to use their collection of backs moving forward.
INJURIES
Running back for the Falcons would be a great position battle to watch if not for hamstring injuries to both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
The duo is likely to share carries this year, with neither profiling as an every down back, but here in Week 1 of the preseason, it will be Terron Ward, Antone Smith and Jermone Smith, alongside newcomer Michael Ford, getting the reps.
With the depth at running back depleted for Friday, look to the new coaching staff in Atlanta to look to make their statement through the air.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
The Falcons’ coaching staff has something to prove and they’ve got solid quarterback options behind Ryan who can help them put points on the board even without their top running back options.
Tennessee’s success against the Falcons the last two preseasons is a bit concerning, but new coordinators on offense and defense will give Atlanta a different look.
Atlanta 21, Tennessee 17
The NFL odds for this Sunday contest were first released by BookMaker and the Falcons were positioned as 2.5-point favorites with a total of 37. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
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