Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - If it feels like you haven't seen the Buffalo Bills play a home game in a while, that's because its true.
When the Bills run out of the tunnel at Highmark Stadium on Sunday, it will have been 27 days since they destroyed the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second home game of the season back on Sept. 23.
This past Monday, the Bills ended up salvaging the finale of three-straight road games and, on paper, are hitting the softer portion of their schedule. The Bills' next four opponents - Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts - are currently a combined 9-13.
First up, the 1-4 Titans.
In a nutshell, the story of the 2024 Titans, to this point, is bad on offense, good on defense, and a mixed bag on special teams.
Titans quarterback Will Levis has taken a step back in his second year on the job. He has a league-high seven interceptions, two of which were returned for a touchdown, and also lost three fumbles and has been sacked 15 times.
Levis' struggles led to first-year head coach Brian Callahan using a more conservative game plan on offense in their last game against the Colts. Tennessee relied on their running game and defense, but ended up losing, 20-17.
The Titans have a dangerous running back in former Dallas Cowboys back Tony Pollard. He has 339 yards and three touchdowns in the first five games of their season.
However, it's the passing game that is holding back this Titans offense.
Tennessee is averaging a mere 135 yards passing a game, the second-lowest total in the league. That is really hard to believe when you take into account their top-three receivers are DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd.
But it underscores the issues at quarterback with Levis.
The Titans have managed no more than 17 points in the four games Levis has started and finished. Levis was knocked out of their game in Miami earlier this year, and backup Mason Rudolph took his spot. The Titans went on to score a season-high 31 points in their victory.
The Bills might have a big day from the left side of their pass rush come Sunday. The Titans benched starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere after the fourth game. Leroy Watson IV was a little better last Sunday against the Colts, but if/when Greg Rousseau is on the left side, it could lead to multiple sacks.
Defensively, the Titans have been good enough.
Now they have had a favorable schedule. Only one of their first five opponents has a points per-game average in the top-10 (Green Bay Packers are currently 8th).
Just the same, Tennessee's defense ranks in the top-10 in eight different statistical categories. They have given up the fewest total yards per-game (248), and second-fewest passing yards per-game (137).
One of their best players is outside linebacker Harold Landry III, who leads the team with four sacks, 15 quarterback pressures and six tackles for loss. The Titans also have two good tackles in Jeffrey Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat.
One thing the Titans don't do well is take the ball away.
Tennessee has just three takeaways in five games. Two have come on fumble recoveries, and only one was an interception. The pick came from a safety, so none of the Titans cornerbacks have an interception.
Oh yeah, and they lost one of their safeties this week with the release of veteran Jamal Adams.
Speaking of interceptions, Bills quarterback Josh Allen has gone a career-best six-straight games without throwing one.
There is some good and some bad when it comes to the Titans' special teams.
Kicker Nick Folk is a perfect 8-for-8 in field goal attempts this season, seven of which have been from 40 yards or longer.
However, two of Ryan Stonehouse's punts have been blocked, and the Titans are ranked 27th in kick coverage and 28th in punt coverage.
