Titans vs Cowboys: Week 17 Primer

By Jawuan Williams

With two weeks left in the 2023 season, The Titans (7-8) need to find a way to win as the Dallas Cowboys (11-4) comes into Nashville in this week 17 primetime matchup. Kickoff is Thursday, December 29th 2022 at Nissan Stadium . Start time is at 7:15p.m. CDT. 

Game Information

Dallas Cowboys @ Tennessee Titans 

Game Time: 7:15 p.m. CDT

Location: Nissan Stadium 

TV: WTVF NewsChannel 5 Nashville 

TV Broadcast Crew: Al Micheals, Kirk Herbstreit, and Kaylee Hartung 

Radio: Titans Radio, 104-5 The Zone

Radio Broadcast Crew: Mike Keith, Dave McGinnis, Amie Wells, Rhett Bryan

Line: TEN -12

Over/Under: 39.5

Titans In Panic Mode? 

The Titans hosted the Houston Texans last Saturday afternoon, trying to end a four- game losing streak and remain atop the AFC South division. However, the Texans erased a fourth-quarter deficit and scored the go-ahead points with less than three minutes remaining in regulation. Two costly interceptions ended the Titans’ chances, and the Texans left Nashville with a 19-14 win and their second victory of the season. This is the first time in Mike Vrabel’s tenure as head coach of the Titans that the team has lost 5 games in a row. 

The loss gave the Titans an identical record to the surging 7-8 Jacksonville Jaguars, who took over first place in the division due to Jacksonville’s head-to-head victory on Dec. 11. The Jaguars go on the road this week to Houston (Jan. 1) and then host the Titans in the regular-season finale on either Jan. 7 or 8. No matter what happens this week, the AFC South champion will be determined in Week 18.

Dallas Cowboys 

The Cowboys enter the week in second place in the NFC East, having already clinched a playoff spot. They stayed alive in the division race with a 40-34 home victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last week. At 11-4, Dallas needs two victories plus two losses by the 13-2 Eagles in order to claim the NFC East crown on a tiebreaker.

3 Key Topic

1. Protection: The Titans have to find a way to protect up front to give the offense a better chance to be more effective. It will be a challenge, though, as the titans are going to be without their entire starting offensive line.

2. Malik the Playmaker: Malik Willis made some plays on Saturday against the Texans, but not enough. The rookie quarterback must process what he is seeing quicker than he is now and get the ball to WR Treylon Burks so he can make plays down the field. If nothing is open however, Malik Willis can make plays with his legs.

3. PRESSURE: The Titans sure missed Denico Autry, because when he returned he led the titans with 7 quarterback pressures. His presence helps Jeffrey Simmons and the rest of the defensive front. They must pressure Dak Prescott and force him into mistakes.

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