Writer: Kevin Durso

Game Preview: Titans come to town in bounce-back game for Eagles

By
Kevin Durso
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Kevin Durso Sports Editor

I have been writing for Sports Talk Philly since 2011. Currently editor and lead writer of Philadelphia Flyers coverage. Co-host of the YWT Podcast. I also am Flyers insider for 97.3 ESPN-FM in South Jersey. I graduated from Cabrini University in 2014.

All posts by Kevin Durso
Sports Editor

Published23 Nov 2014

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The tough road to an NFC East titles is fast approaching for the Eagles. At 7-3, any wins that are there for the taking should be taken.

That brings the 2-8 Tennessee Titans into Lincoln Financial Field. Two games against the Cowboys and a meeting with the defending Super Bowl champions await the Eagles in the coming weeks. The Eagles big Thanksgiving Day match with the Cowboys is just days away.

But first the Eagles face the Titans. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles are looking to erase an embarrassing 53-20 loss to the Packers a week ago.

The good news is that the Eagles are almost completely. With the exception of Nick Foles and the season-ending injuries to DeMeco Ryans and Todd Herremans, the Eagles will have everyone available for Sunday's game.

Some players need to step things up more than others.

Jordan Matthews has been red hot, scoring three touchdowns in his last two games. Jeremy Maclin has been raking in yards for the last four games.

Mark Sanchez is looking to use them to bounce back from Sunday's loss in Green Bay. LeSean McCoy is also looking for another game where he gets things going. After playing well against the Panthers, McCoy was quiet once again against the Packers.

Defensively, there wasn't much pressure on the Packers offense, giving Connor Barwin, Trent Cole and Mychal Kendricks the task of bringing the pass rush back to the defense.

The Titans have one of the NFL's worst offenses, ranking 25th passing and 26th rushing. Defensively, they allow 31st in rushing yards allowed, giving McCoy and Darren Sproles a chance for huge production.

The one area where the Titans may succeed is in the passing game defensively. The pass defense ranks ninth in the league, allowing 226.9 yards per game. Jason McCourty and Michael Griffin lead the Titans secondary.

Zach Mettenberger starts at quarterback. He has passed for 758 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions in three starts.

Bishop Sankey and Shonn Greene lead the running game. Sankey has 395 yards and two touchdowns.

Mettenberger's top targets will be Delanie Walker and Kendall Wright. Both have four receiving touchdowns. Walker leads the team with 512 yards.Game Preview: Titans come to town in bounce-back game for Eagles

Griffin leads the team with 70 tackles. Linebacker Wesley Woodward has 61 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Jurrell Casey leads the team with four sacks.

Game Notes

  • The Eagles are 6-4 all-time against Titans. They are 3-2 against the Titans at home, losing the only game between the two teams at Lincoln Financial Field. 
  • With a win, the Eagles will complete a sweep of the AFC South division this season. It will be the first time the Eagles have swept the AFC South since the division joined the NFL in 2002.
  • The Eagles last win against the Titans came on Oct. 24, 1994. The Eagles have lost four straight games to Tennessee in 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2010.
  • The Eagles have nine touchdowns on defense or special teams this season, a new franchise record. The NFL record is 13.
  • Milestone Watch
    • LeSean McCoy needs four catches to move into 12th place in franchise history.
    • Darren Sproles needs 44 yards for the fifth-most punt return yards in a single-season in Eagles history. Sproles also needs one punt return touchdown to set a new single-season franchise record.
    • Connor Barwin needs 2.5 sacks to tie Reggie White for 10th most in a single-season in franchise history.
    • With one field goal of 50 yards or more, Cody Parkey will become the first Eagle in franchise history with four field goals of 50 or more yards in a single season.

Injury Report

Eagles
Out

  • QB Nick Foles (collarbone)

Probable

  • DE Brandon Bair (elbow)
  • CB Brandon Boykin (hamstring)
  • C Jason Kelce (thumb)
  • LB Mychal Kendricks (calf)
  • WR Jeff Maehl (foot)
  • S Chris Maragos (groin)
  • WR Jordan Matthews (knee)
  • T Matt Tobin (concussion)

Titans
Doubtful

  • CB Marqueston Huff (hamstring)

Questionable

  • WR Justin Hunter (knee)
  • S Daimion Stafford (shoulder)
  • LB Derrick Morgan (knee)
  • CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (back)

Probable

  • TE Delanie Walker (concussion)

Where to Watch

TV: CBS (Broadcasters: Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Evan Washburn)
Radio: 94 WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)

Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.