The contest between the Commanders and Titans is suddenly high-stakes for various reasons. As the nation recovers from its annual gut-busting calorie intake called Thanksgiving, it will be a football extravaganza. Like a shooting star, Washington was white-hot to start the season but has faded as of late. Tennessee has ridden the roller coaster of inconsistency and battling for a top-ten selection, but their ultimate fate hasn’t been determined yet. Which team can shake off the leftover Turkey Day weight and get their season going again? Are the worrisome Commanders going to continue downhill after their encounter with Tennessee?
Worrisome Commanders Encounter Titans Three In Week 13
Commanders Offense vs. Titans Defense
Washington’s offense is helmed by the precocious Jayden Daniels, who has taken the league by storm. He’s a leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of The Year. However, the constant injury threat has surfaced for him this season. OC Kliff Kingsbury is excellently guiding young Daniels and an offense skill group teeming with untapped potential. However, pressure on his unit is mounting after three consecutive losses.
OL vs DL Matchups to Watch
The Commanders’ offensive line combines solid veterans and youngsters trying to find their mark. Rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman leads the line alongside former Chiefs linemen Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie. The latter is a big-ticket signing to protect Daniel’s flank. Center Tyler Biaasz was brought over from archrival Dallas, where he was with them during Dan Quinn’s tenure. The only other homegrown starter on the line is Samuel Cosmi, a 2021 selection. Washington’s starting linemen have PFF grades in the 60s, with Biadasz leading the way with an overall grade of 66.1.
Tennessee’s formidable defensive front, featuring tag team standouts T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons, counters Washington’s offensive line. Sweat just recorded his first sack in true Sweat fashion by dominating his assignment. Harold Landry and Arden Key have improved, further bolstering Dennard Wilson’s pass-rush game plan. Landry leads the team in sacks with six. It will be interesting to see how the Titans deploy their pass rushers against the rookie Coleman. If Tennessee can take control of the interior battles, Washington’s offense should have some trouble.
Skill-on-Skill Matchups to Watch
Despite the litany of injuries in the secondary, Tennessee has strung together surprisingly competent play from that group. Rookie Jarvis Brownlee, Jr has stepped in for the consistently injured L’Jarius Sneed, who was placed on IR after missing several weeks. Darrell Baker, Jr has proven to be an astute find among the roster cuts before the season. Safety Mike Brown was the victim of one of the most indefensible, intractable, and mind-blowingly terrible calls in league history. Amani Hooker has played like his usual steady self thus far into the season. However, the linebackers have gone under significant change as Jack Gibbens was placed on IR, installing Jerome Baker as a starter. Baker was imported in from Seattle when the team traded away Ernest Jones. Rookie linebacker Cedric Gray has participated since his recent activation from IR.
Brownlee Jr. will likely be in the unenviable position of battling the dynamic Terry McLaurin while Baker Jr. gets to match wits against Noah Brown. It remains to be seen if standout veteran Austin Ekeler recovers from concussion protocol after taking a big hit last week on a kick return. Old war horse Zach Ertz provides a vital safety valve for the Commanders’ franchise signal-caller. He’ll look to work his way against Baker and Kenneth Murray, Jr in coverage. Running back Brian Robinson Jr’s status is worth monitoring as an ankle injury sidelined him last week. The former Alabama product is the second-leading rusher on the team, so he’s critical to the Commanders’ plans.
Titans Offense vs. Commanders Defense
Tennessee is coming off its second outburst of 30 points or more this season and will look to continue the good times against a stout Washington defense. Will Levis will look to build on his consistent performances since returning from injury. Can Brian Callahan dial up the right plays against a wounded Commanders’ defense?
OL vs DL Matchups to Watch
As with a new coaching staff, the Commanders brought in a host of new players who fit the new realities. These new faces include rookie tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, former Cowboys like Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler, and Clelin Ferrell. Armstrong and Fowler were brought in because they knew how to operate Quinn’s system. Holdovers Phidarian Mathis and Daron Payne are solid pieces as well. Unfortunately for the Commanders, star defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is on IR.
The Tennessee offensive line had a rough go against the Texans last week, giving up eight sacks, some of which weren’t their fault. Rookie JC Latham had a welcome to the league game while the turnstile at right tackle continued to persist. Washington would be wise to relentlessly target the weakened right side until Tennessee can prove that it can stop a pass rush with a pulse.
Skill-on-Skill Matchups to Watch
Washington’s secondary got a boost in talent when it acquired former Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. He hasn’t practiced until this week, so Tennessee will likely see him in limited doses. Lattimore’s return would help the corners already on the team slide down a notch on the depth chart against lesser receivers. Noah Igbinoghene probably won’t play after missing two practices this week. The Commanders are led by their two-star linebackers, Frankie Luvu and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner.
Recently, Tennessee has rediscovered its passing game, coinciding with Levis’s return to action. The deep ball has been efficient after weeks of struggling. Calvin Ridley and touchdown machine Nick Westbrook-Ihkine have become the primary targets. Washington will have their hands full trying to guard everyone, including the versatile Tony Pollard. It will be interesting to see who matches up with who with this worrisome Commanders defense when they encounter Tennessee’s receivers.
Odds and Ends
Tennessee leads the all-time series 8-6. These two teams have met on a World Cup cycle since 2002, splitting the matches at three apiece. In that time frame, the Commanders led the scoring margin with a score of 20 to 19. The Titans have won two of the past three games between them. Notable alumni include Albert Haynesworth, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Marcus Mariota, Frank Wycheck, Hall of Fame DB Ken Houston, Brian Orakpo, and Adrian Peterson.
Uniforms
🚨BRITCHES REPORT 🚨: The @Titans will be decked out in white jerseys with light blue britches and all white socks in Sunday’s game at the @Commanders. 👖 pic.twitter.com/i02hCdaMTs
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) November 27, 2024
Weather Report
It will feel like December weather in Landover as the nation finishes Thanksgiving leftovers on the weekend. The projected high temperature is a balmy 40 degrees with a wind speed of 11 miles per hour. Fortunately for both parties, there is little chance of precipitation. The field conditions at FedEx Field will be worth monitoring as it is notorious for ruining careers due to injury.
Referee Referendum
Referee for Titans at Commanders — Ron Torbert
https://t.co/KujsQ4OAOX #TENvsWAS pic.twitter.com/FzS4CR3VCr— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) November 26, 2024
Torbert is a veteran official who has served for 15 seasons, 11 as head referee. He’s an attorney by trade and graduated from Michigan State. The referee holds a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. His crew comprises veteran officials, ranging from five years to 18 seasons. Interestingly, the replay staff and down judge are brand new to the staff, having previously served on Alex Kemp’s and John Hussey’s crew, respectively. The line judge is also new to Torbert, coming over from Land Clark’s staff.
Torbert leads the league in total penalties called, with 197 in 11 games. Of those 197, 161 accepted penalties and 1,338 penalty yards are leading figures. His crew can be surmised as a flag-happy one. The home team has been flagged more than the road team under his watch this season. His crew’s most prevalent flag of choice is offensive holding and false starts. Both teams’ offensive lines must be wary of a quick whistle. The referee has officiated the Titans seven times in ten seasons and served as the head referee in Super Bowl 51.
Betting
BetMGM has installed Washington as a 5.5-point favorite over the Titans with a money line -110. The sportsbook set the over/under at 44.5. Washington holds a -250 money line, while Tennessee is +200 road dogs. Tennessee is 2-9 ATS and has gone over six times while going under four times with one push. The Commanders are 7-4 ATS while going 8-4 in over/under totals.
Recommendation: Given the weather conditions and injuries on each side, the teams will likely hit the under. Tennessee has been inconsistent in betting circles, alternating between over and under. Washington is streaky in the same category.
Main Image: Troy Taormina – USA Today Sports
