The Tennessee Titans wrapped up their preseason in style with a road 30-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints and move one step closer to opening their regular season in Chicago. With the win, the team achieves an undefeated 3-0 preseason record for the first time since 2003.
There were plenty of encouraging takeaways from today’s contest for the Titans. Here’s what stood out to me from the team’s preseason finale as well as a preview to what’s ahead:
Malik Willis and Bryce Oliver
The Willis-Oliver chemistry was on full display inside of Caesars Superdome. The duo connected on two fourth-quarter touchdowns passes that were instrumental in getting the preseason win.
The first touchdown came at the 9:40 mark in the final quarter to give the Titans a 23-20 lead over the Saints.
.@malikwillis puts a perfect ball on Bryce Oliver.
📺: #TENvsNO on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9DaSG6M0Cc— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2024
The final touchdown put the team on top for good as Willis hit Oliver on a slant in the endzone for the final score of the afternoon.
Willis to Oliver again and the @Titans take the lead back.
📺: #TENvsNO on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/GN0HIcNlB5— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2024
Willis finished his day three of four for 51 yards and the pair of touchdowns. The third-year quarterback also added 29 yards rushing on three carries.
Oliver led the team in receiving hauling in three passes for 52 yards and the scores.
David Martin-Robinson and Thomas Okukoya
With each passing day, Martin-Robinson makes a strong case to make the final 53-man roster. The undrafted free agent out of Temple has done nothing but impress the coaching staff throughout the preseason.
Martin-Robinson brought in four receptions for 45 yards against New Orleans. So far this preseason, he has totaled nine receptions for 113 yards. Regardless of what happens with Martin-Robinson, he has shined throughout the preseason.
While it is highly unlikely that Odukoya will make the final roster, the Netherlands-born tight end essentially saved the game right before halftime. After a 58-yard field goal attempt from Titans kicker Brayden Narveson came up a little short, Saints receiver Samson Nacua – brother of Rams receiver Puka Nacua – returned the missed attempt 106 yards to the Tennessee three yard line before getting knocked out of bounds by Odukoya.
Watch Netherlands-born Thomas Odukoya (@ThomasO_) chase down this play and save a touchdown to end the half. pic.twitter.com/71C6oofMLC
— NFL (@NFL) August 25, 2024
Offensive Line
As promised, the Titans offensive line got some good work as the first unit played the entire first half. While the line has been a point of concern for the team over the past couple of seasons, the big guys up front did well in pass protection and run blocking versus the Saints. It’ll be important for the unit to continue to develop their chemistry as we are two weeks out from the regular season.
Wills Levis and Calvin Ridley
Since acquiring Ridley in free agency, Levis and Ridley have worked tirelessly on their quarterback-receiver connection. While there were encouraging plays between the two in training camp, there were also mishaps. There were no signs of any mishaps against New Orleans as Levis found Ridley twice in the first half for 39 yards including a 33-yard pass in the first quarter.
Will Levis with a big play to Calvin Ridley 🎯
Ridley’s ADP is 92.1 👀 pic.twitter.com/sbraNYXNKh
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) August 25, 2024
Levis finished the day seven of eight for 118 yards while Ridley had the two receptions.
What’s to Come
After about a month of training camp and the preseason, the coaching staff and front office will have some tough decisions to make as roster cutting will commence within the next couple of days. League policy says teams are allowed to carry 90 players throughout the offseason, but the roster must be cut down to 53 by Aug. 27.
However, Head Coach Brian Callahan has a pretty solid grasp on who will make the final 53. “Traditionally, there’s only four or five real spots up for grabs that are being competed for,” said Callahan right before the team’s trip to New Orleans. “It’s pretty standard every year. It’s always those last 4-6 players, depending on position.”
Despite having a good feel for who the final 53 will be, these types of decisions are never easy.
The Titans will now have two weeks before they open up their regular season against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 8. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. CST from Soldier Field.
Follow Parker Kelley on Twitter/X @parker_kelley10
Image courtesy of the Tennessee Titans
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